PLANNING PAST THE 2010 ELECTION

This last election was very interesting. I had hoped that name-calling and other low-down thinking would not be so prevalent. I wonder if the name-calling would have been the same if there was an Anglo American person serving as President!

However, when one compares the election of President F. D. Roosevelt over outgoing President Herbert Hoover. Like President Obama and the Democratic Party, President Hoover and the Republican Party was blamed for America's economic crises. Thankfully, President Roosevelt was able to bring Congress together and get both sides of the aisle to agree to some compromises in order to get the country up and running again. Perhaps President Obama will get support from forward-thinking Republicans and Democrats to be able to forge a coalition to help all Americans during our current economic crises.

Maybe I should run for President! I have enough experience as a working American who understands economic cycles, the impact of wars on one’s economy, the need for immigration reform, the importance of education, the rationale of capital punishment and smaller prison budgets, encouraging “Buy American First!”, and doing all those things to help the country that a radical, moderate, progressive conservative should do in these challenging times. Unfortunately, I would not run as a Republican or as a Democrat and would not have the millions behind me needed to brainwash people to vote for me---the lesser of the other evil people!

Maybe it’s time for a dictatorship to take over America. Most Americans know what needs to be done to have lower taxes, less government intrusion, higher wages for the masses of working people, accountability in education and government, to keep more jobs inside the country than going outside the country, the consequences of having cheap labor from the millions of illegal and some legal immigrants, uncovering the ungodly profits made by the quiet stockholders and the shrewd corporate executives, and the hundreds of other little pieces of the puzzle that needs to be put together in order to have a smooth-running economic vessel, trudging along in troubled fiscal waters. At least a dictator with a strong military group could just make things happen, and run ship-shod over civil rights, personal property rights, equal rights, the Bill of Rights, and all the other “rights” people want.

However, after the red AND blue “true” Americans rise up and overthrew the dictator and have taken back power from the military machinery, some human will still have to be willing to stick out their neck. This person would have to be willing to work with political parties that would care more about pleasing special interest groups that raised the money to make it possible for the person to even sit in the special chair and be called “President” or some other executive name. This person would have to be willing to have their personal and business life held up to the inquiring minds who would want to know the details of the scratches on their leader’s armor. This person would have to be willing to work long hours for the little pay received for the harm done to their bodies. They would also have to stand quietly by while their opponents with small brains and simple intellect throw missiles of hatred toward members of their family, as well as throw mud on any project the person would put forward to help the masses of the American public.

It’s really easy to fix the problems we face in America. We could begin by merging smaller cities and towns, thus eliminating the need for so many overlapping positions that require more tax money. We could cut Congress by at least ½, as well as cut every office supported by tax dollars by 70%, choosing to use more technology without feelings, than using so many people with selfish feelings.

To help America, we could insist that everyone take better care of their own health and economic well-being without the aid of government programs. Those who are unable to do so would be helped, but only after agreeing to serve their communities and their government by doing those chores normally done by a public servant. Everyone would be charged a fee for health care, based on the color of their card, without regard to the color of their skin, or their limited resources. The rich, and those with resources, including good jobs with good pay and good benefits, would be charged on a sliding-fee scale, based on how far they went in school, and on how wise they were in choosing a way to take/make money, or in choosing an occupation that paid very well and/or had great medical benefits.

To further help America, we could charge all countries a fee for helping them win their freedom/democracy. They would pay by giving America their resources, and/or by becoming a puppet of American democracy (since we would know what is best for them). All wars would be on a “cash-basis” only. Before we would enter a war, or a “peace-keeping” mission, we would figure out the cost to win and thus charge our allies accordingly. If they could not pay, America would not enter the war or mission, realizing that this country might be taken over by an enemy of America and turn that country with hatred for America and all Americans.


To stem the tide of “sleeper spies,” terrorism, and drugs coming into America, we could move the United Nations building to Sweden or some other “neutral” country. We would then eliminate “diplomatic immunity” and check everyone coming to our shores, both friend and enemy. We would also put a team to watch all “outsiders,” making sure no drugs or anything that could hurt America is being brought in. To insure a “drug-free” country, we would develop a private military group to destroy all production and personnel associated with illegal drugs in all countries, including ours, as well as keep track of those associated with “legal” drugs. Those drug users who refuse to go into rehabilitation and stay clean would be sent to the moon or some other safe place, away from all of the “healthy” citizens in America. They would be given tools for food production, housing, and would be offered training so they could develop their own rules for living.

All those refusing to at least complete community college or trade school would be trained to become the new, military “fighting machine,” and sent abroad to “keep the peace” for all of America’s interest, as well as the interest of America’s allies. To ensure compliance to do what is right, and to ensure there is no rebellion, each of these individuals would undertake a brain lobotomy to ensure their loyalty to their training against all enemies and protection of all Americans.

Eventually, all budgets to aid the poor, the sick, and the unemployed would be eliminated, saving the American taxpayers billions. These groups would become the responsibility of their families, faith-based groups, and communities. In return, these groups would do mental, physical, or other work for their communities to ensure local budgets had funds to help their every need. No death-row inmate would have to stay on death-row any longer than one year; eliminating the harsh and unjust treatment they now receive for having to have life sentences. Their organs could be processed to aid those they have hurt, as well as aid others who are living productive lives who could profit from their organs. Plus, the victims and the families of victims would not have to suffer for years, waiting for justice to help balance the scales. Those waiting for sentencing, those in jails, and those in prisons would be required to work 10 hours a day, six days a week. They would be fed a minimal, but nutritious, diet. They would also be trained to be useful while they wait for execution, or when they were released. In time, this process would balance the budget as well as help our schools. The billions saved from this process would be shifted to our education system where all citizens could be trained to become productive and prosperous, with little need for others paying for their health care or government programs to subsidize them, or farmers, or manufacturers, or any other industry.

All budgets could be balanced by some common-sense cooperating. America has too many cities and too many counties supporting too many politicians and too many overlapping departments. All cities could be merged into metro-cities with regional governments getting input from town hall-type meetings. Such meetings would be run by unpaid elected neighbors who would get input from their neighborhoods. Computer systems would be set up to gather input (yeah, Big Brother, but get over it!) with paid college students and senior citizens manning the systems with oversight from military personnel.

With the merging of cities and counties, there would be a reduction in property and business taxes, causing more citizens to have more income for savings (mandatory), medical/dental/long-term care policies (mandatory), and retirement funding (mandatory). The courts could also be combined, with judges, including the Supreme Court, having to face the electorate every 10 years. There would also be a reduction in the numbers of people (and staffs!) needed as representatives in Congress. This alone would save billions, cutting away the fat in pork-barrel programs, and shrinking the number of lobbyists being paid to control the thoughts and votes of fewer politicians.

All federal departments, and the federal budget, would come under review of a blue-ribbon commission of civilian auditors, CPAs, and successful CEOs. Members of this commission would only be those who have not sent jobs overseas or laid off employees without a review by the local town-hall groups. This commission would be appointed by the President, reviewed by regional leaders, with veto power given to America’s billionaires who would sit on regional boards. Should the government still have an unbalanced budget due to previous decisions of deficit spending, the billionaires and millionaires would be given the opportunity to make donations to cover the deficit. In exchange, they would receive “naming rights” for streets, roads, bridges, highways, freeways, light rail systems, train depots, airports, universities, and other items of significant value in America’s landscape. For example, the 406 or so billionaires who have made much of their money in America could wipe out the present deficit of $11 trillion by donating $30 million each. This would cover the ever-growing interest adding more red to the deficit until paid in full.

With the federal budget being controlled by the most successful people in America answering to the poorest of the poor via townships and regionalships, America would never have to engage in deficit spending ever again. As far as items like Social Security, health care, unemployment, and help for the helpless, there would be a special fund set up by local townships for each local area to see after their own residents. Funds paid out would come from funds paid in by registered, documented legal citizens. No illegal immigrants would receive free education, free health care, free Social Security, or any other benefits.

No pregnant immigrant would be allowed into the United States, negating immigrants coming to America pregnant so their children would be American-born citizens. No one would be allowed to work without a background check conducted by local citizens. The current unemployed would be given jobs to check on all job sites to ensure that all workers were legal citizens. If any company was found to have illegal immigrants working, they would be fined $1 million a day for each infraction. If any company was found to have sent jobs overseas, they would be fined $5 million a day for each person employed overseas, unless such person was an American citizen helping to do a joint project with a foreign country. Only those foreign employees necessary for the joint project would be hired by an American company unless the agreement with the foreign country stated otherwise. Such an agreement would be reviewed by a panel of union leaders and professional employment counselors in America.

Such moves by the above would eliminate unemployment among America’s native-born citizens, curtail the hiring of illegal immigrants, and stem the flow of billions of dollars leaving America by illegal immigrants sending their ill-gotten paychecks back to their home country. Although hiring native-born American citizens would require companies to pay more than by hiring illegal immigrants, the paycheck income would stay in America, and eventually wind up back under the control of companies who would have invested in homes, car dealerships, retail stores, and every other business that employees would be spending money on.


As far as health care, there would be special cards issued to every American citizen, in cooperation with insurance companies. Those with plenty of money would still, of course, receive the best health care money can buy and would receive a health “gold card.” Those with expensive health coverage, allowing them almost the same kind of care as the rich would receive a health “blue card” and pay no deductibles for anything. These employees and retired personnel must prove they are maintaining and/or improving their health by good health habits, limiting negative health lifestyles, active in a health club 4 or more times a week, with documentation of eating healthy meals, drinking plenty of water, and checking in with their health and medical team 6 or more times a year would keep their health “blue card” and pay a 10% deductible.

Those American employees and retirees who have a proven record of going to health clubs 3 or more times a week, with documentation of eating healthy meals, drinking plenty of water, and checking in with their health and medical team 3 or 4 times a year would receive a health “green card” and pay a 20% deductible. Those American employees and retirees who have a proven record of going to health clubs 1 or more times a week, with documentation of eating healthy meals, drinking plenty of water, and checking in with their health and medical team 1 or 2 times a year would receive a health “orange card” and pay a 30% deductible.

Those American employees and retirees who do not have a proven record of going to health clubs 1 or more times a week, with no documentation of eating healthy meals, nor drinking plenty of water, nor checking in with their health and medical team once a year would receive a health “yellow card” and pay a 40% deductible. Those limited-income Americans and retirees who do not have a proven record of going to health clubs, with no documentation of eating healthy meals, nor drinking plenty of water, and not checking in with their health and medical team because they could not afford such a team would receive a health “purple card” and visit a regional health center and clinic where medical students, retired health professionals, medical researchers, and alternative health care providers would care for them. All would pay according to a sliding scale based on their net income (not gross from a business), but no less than $10 per visit per day. As the overhead of the community health center and clinic increased, so would the fees. Also, since the FDA and all federally-funded health research programs would be merged or eliminated, the health center and clinic would assume those responsibilities, with funding coming from individuals, foundations, corporations and pharmaceutical companies.

Should there be a national disaster, the federal government would only give oversight, with local governments and companies taking the responsibility for returning their area back to its status quo. Foreign governments and individuals would be allowed to help, and the local militia would help the regional law enforcement keep the peace. Anyone found looting or hurting anyone for selfish motives would be shot on the spot by the regional law enforcement, the militia, or any private citizen licensed to have a gun.

It will only take 36 months before these and other progressive measures can be put into place. This will give those on welfare and unemployment (including government officials) time to get trained for employment and/or develop legal ways of supporting themselves. Those who refuse to comply, or cannot find livable wages, will be allowed to do public service for their communities, living in group arrangements provided by their families and their local communities. Others will be encouraged to live the country and given opportunities to live in countries where the cost of living (and standard of living) is much lower and affordable.


Those who choose to commit crimes to support themselves will be given speedy trials and allowed to do public work on behalf of a community in a state located at least 2,000 miles from their earlier place of residence. This way, they can learn how to conduct themselves as good citizens in a new area and earn the respect, trust, and employment of their new domicile.

As far as education, no longer will it be a free right for all. Everyone will pay for their need for childcare, kindergarten, K – 12 education, community college, university education, advanced academic work, as well as for any training. Each will pay according to their ability to pay on a scaling scale. Local businesses, residents, foundations, and others will be encouraged to contribute to a fund to ensure all residents have opportunities for education, training, employment, and the necessities of life (shelter, food, clothes, transportation, etc.). Those who drop out of their education or training will be sent to “conditioning” camps and trained to become eligibility for military or public works service, including working in parks and responding to local, state, national, and international disasters.

The best minds in America will be brought together in economic think tanks to work out all of the details of this outline. All Americans will be given opportunity to share their wisdom in the development of this united effort to keep America strong. The development of “We Must Save America” plan could be ready by 2016, with the merging of cities, counties, and the federal government completed by 2014.

Yeah, I just might run for President on the Independence Party ticket if I cannot become the wonderful, loving dictator that America needs to solve all of its problems!

Health Reform? It's a Joke, Unless...

HEALTH REFORM
By Edward G. Udell, Sr.
August 9, 2009

I have been concerned about health ever since as I little boy I discovered my mom had health issues.

Sometimes, my mom, Cassie Mae (Roland) Udell McCain, would work in the fields with only one arm because when it would be really cold, her left side would shut down and she would be partially paralyzed. However, she still picked almost as much cotton as anyone else in the field during cotton-picking time. During any other labor work, she could usually outwork others who did not have a health issue.

My mom came into the world with health issues, but her family did not have the funds to get her the medical care she needed, due to their lack of income. Mom fought. She was scheduled to die from her health challenges at age 8. Then it was moved to age 11. A strange aunt said some words over her, hit her in her back (which straightened up!), and she was able to walk straight. However, she still had other health issues.

Mom was scheduled to die at age 18. Then it was moved to age 30 and again to age 40. By this time, mom had learned more about prayer, alternative medicine, and just read up on medical information. She is now 85 and people don’t understand how she made it. Those doctors who are still alive are amazed!

I had health issues most of my life. The Navy even gave me a 4F rating after I was hurt in drill in 1964 and they discovered I had had some health issues. Without properly serving me, they just kicked me out with a medical discharge, but without any veteran’s benefits. I have fought for over 44 years to get them to revise my records and/or let me have my veteran’s benefits but they have refused.

I was selected by the National Urban League to attend a national health conference in San Antonio, Texas in 1972 upon a recommendation by someone who knew of my interest in community health improvements. I gave my input and hoped there would be a great health policy put forward in America; not much happened.

In 1973 – 1974, I was selected to serve as a Community Health Worker for the Regional Medical Program, a federally-funded program associated with the University of Washington Medical School. I served 14 eastern Washington state counties, helping medical professions and health consumers work on improving the health operations in their counties. After an election, this program was cut by Congress. In 1975, I was asked to serve on the “new” Congressional health plan, Comprehensive Health Planning. This program frightened medical professionals who thought the federal government was going to take over health care and put them on smaller salaries. Although we did some good serving the various eastern Washington state counties, the negative support of the medical community hurt the good this program was trying to do. I gave up hoping that the government and the medical community would ever agree on how to best improve the health of its citizens.

In 1979, I completed my Master’s Thesis “Health: In Good Hands With Educators---A Discussion Paper Proposing A Way To Improve The Health Of The Nation.” My premise was that the government should require parents to become better health monitors and turn schools into health centers. Although some schools began to offer pre-natal care and child care centers to girls in school and later added giving out condoms and offering girls abortion information, it was still a far cry from really solving the health problems of this country.

As I have watched the health of many low-income and moderate-income people worsen because they did not have access, I have also watched another trend having a negative impact on the health of this country: allow millions of immigrants with lower health standards to come, stay, work, and interact with Americans trying to get healthy.

The impact of the millions of legal and illegal immigrants since the 1960s have had a catastrophic affect on the health delivery service in America. While they crowd the clinics and budgets are expanded to make sure they have reading material in their language and health care professionals who speak their language, more native-born Americans with a long list of American ancestors are pushed back further in the lines to get health care. Surprisingly, the immigrants of the past 30-50 years pay far less for health care than they should be paying since they have put in very little into the health care pot through taxes, fighting wars for this country, and working hard to make life better for others.

If health reform is going to work, there must be a system put in place whereby native-born Americans can freely have a better opportunity to get access to health care. They should not have to wait in lines because politicians and business people want a lot of cheap labor to ensure the financial success of their own enterprises. It’s time for Americans to bite the bullet about immigrants---limit the number of legal immigrants coming in, deport those who are illegal with their children, put those who habitually break laws and commit serious crimes on land where they can learn to support themselves, learn to be a honest citizen, earn skills needed by world employers, and have stronger determination to become legal, or deport them when their criminal time is up.

If health reform is going to work, we must be honest and see what groups are causing the cost of health care to sky-rocket: the poor, the immigrants, and the elderly. The poor need to have better training (their schools, their faith-based centers, etc.) on health prevention. This group should then be rewarded with a health card where they have a small deductible, a lifetime cap, and receive more training on health care, cleanliness, and health/wellness/nutrition development. This group could then be rewarded with their lifetime cap being raised, and annual total health care check-ups for a small amount.

The poor, including immigrants, who do not maintain and improve their health care, will be penalized with longer waits at health clinics, higher shared-cost fees, and a lower lifetime health care cap. If they work, their employer should deduct more of their check for health care and Social Security so when they have such needs, they have already paid something into the health care coverage.

The elderly who probably consume over 2/3 of the health care costs in this country will have three options:
1) those unable to work and currently who do not have funds to maintain and/or improve their health will be placed in larger health care centers with limited staff and allowed to die gracefully, instead of being maintained in a vegetable-like state;
2) those able to work will pay into a health care fund restricted for those with the same disease or disability and given an opportunity to learn how to improve their health and allowed to die gracefully without prolonging their agony; and
3) those able to work and willing to be trained as part-time health caretakers for the elderly, will also pay into a health care fund for their age group and health care challenge, but will have access to better health care by those training to become doctors, nurses, and other health professionals.

The government could also insist (or make it a law) that those who are over 40 make better preparations for their future health needs by having them pay a higher premium for their age group and health care challenge so as their health care needs arise, funds are there to cover the costs. Employers will also be required to donate and withhold a higher amount to cover future longevity and longer health care needs. The government will also need to cut prison care about 2/3 so that prisoners do not get better health care and nutrition than the honest citizens who do not have funds to have such help as prisoners. When short-sighted judges sue cities, counties, states, and other judicial groups for NOT providing ample space, ample beds, and “reasonable” benefits for prisoners, they should be impeached for acting against the rights of non-criminals.

All citizens should be trained in health care, wellness, nutrition, and given health credit cards to cover their health care needs as they arise from accidents or a sudden onset of a disease. As citizens are trained in taking better care of themselves, they will have fewer health aliments, and will have the means to improve and maintain their health as long as they are productive. Those citizens who are no longer productive (sharing history, giving wisdom insights, teaching about gardening, etc.) should be allowed to die gracefully without extra drugs or special care when it is determined that they will not regain enough health to become as productive as they would like.

I realize that the above may sound harsh, but we are now living in harsh times. Strong people are needed to make strong decisions if America is going to get a handle on the health care costs in this nation. Employers will have to pay more of the costs of health care since people are living longer and short-sighted planning did not send enough funds ahead to take care of the future needs. Medical professionals will have to adjust their lifestyles and expect to make less to help during the transition. If the millions of immigrants were not given jobs from native-born citizens, native-born citizens could have good jobs to pay for increased health care. However, native-born citizens would also have to be trained in health prevention and in ways to maintain their health. If they refuse, their card should be a red card and they will be given the opportunity to pay more for their health care since they did little to prevent their health from doing downhill!