Friends,
I attended the health-care forum Thursday night, October 29, in Painesville, Ohio. First before I give you my take, I would like to thank Councilman Flock for organizing this engaging and informative event on a very important issue facing America. He cordially welcomed everyone and ran the event well.
Senator Sherrod Brown who was suppose to host this town hall meeting did not attend but instead sent Regional Representative Max Blachman to field questions.
Even though I said it was engaging and informative I did not learn much about the health-care plan from Representative Max himself. Instead I learned more listening to the questions from the rather small crowd of only about 35 who attended, almost all were in opposition. It was pointed out to me various reasons for the small attendance. One was lack of promoting the event and the other reason was the area it was held has a lot of welfare and those people don’t care. Something else I heard at the event was they were going to have heightened security because of the opposition to the plan and Conservatives who may show. Really not sure how true any of this is.
I was not at all pleased with the rhetoric or demeanor from R. Rep. Max. Instead of giving real answers he used the term straw argument a few times, attacked profits as one of the reasons for spiraling health care costs, and blamed capitalism. He fast talked over my question and also blamed me as one of the reasons why the costs are out of control and the need for mandatory insurance
My questions were – I am self-employed, barely making it right now, very healthy, I choose not to have health insurance. BUT even if I did want it I can’t afford it and any more government involvement whether taxes or mandatory programs. If I choose not to carry health insurance will I be fined or jailed?
Max said no one will be sent to jail, I never heard that but a possible fine may be included. Well according to one proposal it would include a fine of up to $1,000.00 and up to six months in jail. He went on to say it was people like me who don’t carry health insurance and use the emergency room as primary care. I guess he was alluding to people not paying for the care they received. I was not at all happy when someone else used me as an example for one of the reasons for needing a plan. I confronted Max afterward to set things straight but he didn’t want any explanation.
The thing that upsets me the most is the term they keep using, health care crisis. There is no health care crisis. You can still be treated in a hospital if needed. Max repeatedly used this term. The loudest jeers and boos came when R. Rep. Max blamed capitalism. I don’t remember the exact question but blaming capitalism seems to me that he has socialist leanings and this is a socialist plan. Is capitalism perfect no but it has given us the highest standard of living and is still far better than socialism. He also attacked profits as if they are evil.
I was quite vocal when R. Rep. Max said the figure of 42 million for people who don’t have any health insurance. I spoke out of turn and asked loudly what is the real number, President Obama said 42 million then dropped it to 36 million and I have heard numbers as high as 47 million? Does this number include illegal aliens? R. Rep. Max responded those illegals are a straw argument; there is only 6 million in this country. 6 million people receiving care from your money is not a straw argument. That’s where you need to start, who is covered in this plan?
Questions were raised whether abortion would be covered and if you can keep you existing coverage. To be honest with you, I don’t remember the answers to those. By this time I was turned off by Max’s answer to the illegal alien question and him turning the tables on me as if I was the problem. As I said I learned more from the questions asked rather than the answers given of this enormous bill that I am pretty sure even R. Rep. Max hasn’t completely read because most of what was asked was answered with, no the plan doesn’t have that.
CKM
Side notes:
*It’s amazing how you can have two opposing views to an issue. A person spoke up and said they know people who go to Canada for medicine and universal healthcare is working for Canada. To that I shouted I have family living in Canada and she is not at all happy with their system. Someone else gave me the thumbs up and said I agree with you, I also have family living up there and they are not happy.
**When I confronted R. Rep. Max afterwards I asked him again about the fine and or jail time, he replied no jail time but there would be some incentive to make you get it.
***I also tried to set him and said I own three houses, have paid property and income tax, he cut me off and said property tax doesn’t pay for health care. The point I was trying to make is, I am a citizen born here and have paid taxes for years, if someone should be covered or use the emergency room then it should be someone as myself not an illegal.
**** A veteran brought to my attention that there was no pledge of allegiance and no recognition of the vets serving.
******This is the email I received informing me of this event:
On Wednesday, October 28, 2009 Posted in the Northeast Ohio News-Herald on page A3 was written in a SMALL area, about the size of a United States postage stamp…..Our Representative Sen. Sherrod Brown (D) is hosting a town hall meeting on Thursday night in Painesville at 7:00 p.m. Sherrod Brown will discuss the Health-care Reform Act at Elm Street Elementary School, 585 Elm St.
What is hilarious about this is...the article is so small that my thumb would cover it up. Do you think he really wants anyone to know about it? What's he afraid of? Why was this posted 1 day before the actual town hall meeting?
PS: I didn't even touch on the cost of Universal Health Care, America can not afford any more debt!!!!
If you would like to voice your opinion to Regional Representative Max Blachman he can be reached at Max_Blachman@brown.senate.gov.
Or you can contact Senator Sherrod Brown at 1-888-896-6446 or www.brown.senate.gov
Showing posts with label Senator Sherrod Brown. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Senator Sherrod Brown. Show all posts
Sunday, November 08, 2009
Friday, June 19, 2009
Euclid & my letter to Senator Sherrod Brown
This is my letter to Senator Sherrod Brown and Ken Williamson, a member of Senator Browns staff. I waited to post this to give them ample time to respond. They haven't. If you are having similar issues where you live use this as a template for your senator - representative. Why shouldn't landlord/property owners get bailouts? Especially if hardships are caused by any level of government interference.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Ken Williamson,
Thank you for your time.
I hope this letter is given serious attention. There are many bailouts occurring right now but one group that hasn't been given consideration is property owners/ landlords. It is hard enough to maintain a place with property taxes rising yearly and people losing jobs. Add to the mix, cities like Euclid, who make it exceedingly difficult on owners with yearly inspections and fee's. A lot of the violations issued are very marginal to the safety of the house, like cracks in a garage floor. If you don't comply fines and/or jail time can ensue. (I know, I had to spend a night in jail) This needs to be addressed as many property owners/landlords are facing foreclosure due to these tactics. IF cities like Euclid are making such demands and there is little to no extra funds to make these repairs then a bailout - government funds should be alloted to property owners/landlords to make these mandated repairs, this would go a long way in stopping some of the flight away from Euclid and Cuyahoga County and divert additional houses from foreclosure.
Please give this letter serious attention,
Thank You
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Senator Sherrod Brown,
Thank you for the reply but I am very displeased by your answer. If I may explain. I have read in the news paper and from your website legislation co-sponsored with Rep. Tim Ryan called Community Regeneration, Sustainability and Innovation Act of 2009 that would help blighted areas from population loss. It is welcome relief to read that aid may be coming to areas that need it. BUT before tax payers money is doled out each city should be looked at as to why the population loss.
Some of the main reasons for a decline in population for any city is lack of jobs or high paying jobs, crime, taxes and how the city itself is run. Euclid has all four plus going against it but one of the biggest is local government interference of home owners, whether the person resides in his house or uses it as rental property, this problem has existed for years. People are fearful and don't want to invest in housing in Euclid.
That is why I reached out to you. I am not alone in this plight. Euclid with its demands and housing regulations have forced out many home owners. I know personally quite a few who had to abandon, have the bank foreclose because they could not afford to keep up with the inspections and ensuing violations or sold their house below market to flee Euclid. White flight is only a part of what is happening in Euclid. No one likes their right to privacy imposed on.
It is our tax payers money that will be spent on these blighted areas and we need to be sure it is properly spent. Or if anything else then funds should also be allocated to home owners to make the necessary repairs Euclid demands, this would go a long way in stopping the population loss and/or filling houses left vacant by the cities interference.
So I ask Senator Sherrod Brown to please review my letter once again or I can submit a new one of how Euclid's policies have interfered and kept my house vacant all but 3 1/2 months since June 2008. If action isn't taken soon I may have to join with others and file for bankruptcy and abandon my house or houses in Euclid.
Sincerely and Thank You,
C. K. M.
Euclid, Ohio
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Ken Williamson,
Thank you for your time.
I hope this letter is given serious attention. There are many bailouts occurring right now but one group that hasn't been given consideration is property owners/ landlords. It is hard enough to maintain a place with property taxes rising yearly and people losing jobs. Add to the mix, cities like Euclid, who make it exceedingly difficult on owners with yearly inspections and fee's. A lot of the violations issued are very marginal to the safety of the house, like cracks in a garage floor. If you don't comply fines and/or jail time can ensue. (I know, I had to spend a night in jail) This needs to be addressed as many property owners/landlords are facing foreclosure due to these tactics. IF cities like Euclid are making such demands and there is little to no extra funds to make these repairs then a bailout - government funds should be alloted to property owners/landlords to make these mandated repairs, this would go a long way in stopping some of the flight away from Euclid and Cuyahoga County and divert additional houses from foreclosure.
Please give this letter serious attention,
Thank You
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Senator Sherrod Brown,
Thank you for the reply but I am very displeased by your answer. If I may explain. I have read in the news paper and from your website legislation co-sponsored with Rep. Tim Ryan called Community Regeneration, Sustainability and Innovation Act of 2009 that would help blighted areas from population loss. It is welcome relief to read that aid may be coming to areas that need it. BUT before tax payers money is doled out each city should be looked at as to why the population loss.
Some of the main reasons for a decline in population for any city is lack of jobs or high paying jobs, crime, taxes and how the city itself is run. Euclid has all four plus going against it but one of the biggest is local government interference of home owners, whether the person resides in his house or uses it as rental property, this problem has existed for years. People are fearful and don't want to invest in housing in Euclid.
That is why I reached out to you. I am not alone in this plight. Euclid with its demands and housing regulations have forced out many home owners. I know personally quite a few who had to abandon, have the bank foreclose because they could not afford to keep up with the inspections and ensuing violations or sold their house below market to flee Euclid. White flight is only a part of what is happening in Euclid. No one likes their right to privacy imposed on.
It is our tax payers money that will be spent on these blighted areas and we need to be sure it is properly spent. Or if anything else then funds should also be allocated to home owners to make the necessary repairs Euclid demands, this would go a long way in stopping the population loss and/or filling houses left vacant by the cities interference.
So I ask Senator Sherrod Brown to please review my letter once again or I can submit a new one of how Euclid's policies have interfered and kept my house vacant all but 3 1/2 months since June 2008. If action isn't taken soon I may have to join with others and file for bankruptcy and abandon my house or houses in Euclid.
Sincerely and Thank You,
C. K. M.
Euclid, Ohio
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Friends,
First, are you even interested in hearing about this continuing saga of Euclid? If you aren't I won't write further updates. A lot of my writings feed off of your interactions and feedback so you got to let me know.
Now...
I told Cindy R. I am so upset by the crap that is going on in Euclid, no backing from friends and political meet-ups I belong to, lack of response from the ACLU and Senator Sherrod Brown and the unwillingness of any newspaper to investigate what is happening that I am done with politics. I even told Cindy I am actually embarrassed to call myself an American. In fact I have been chatting online for over a year with a lady in the Philippines.. We talk about everything and our problems. She said her country is pro-American and her dreams are to visit America one day. I am so taken aback by Euclids rules on mandatory inspections, the hell they are causing my family because I had a nephew staying in my house for 3 months that I couldn't even tell my friend what is going on here in America. We are suppose to be a beacon of light of freedom and yet in a small city like Euclid they can push a person to the brink of financial collapse and dictate what you can do with your house. Where is the freedom in this?
So lets rattle through these.
What am I talking about no backing from friends? I receive plenty of support BUT no backing, to me there is a difference. Daily I receive emails or calls asking of updates and/or how am I doing, a few even called and wanted to know if I needed the bond money. A few even did things that I can't mention, you know who you are, thank you! I am greatly humbled by all of this. But support is not what's needed, backing is. Calls, letters, and emails in my support to Euclid. If you think this is all just about Carey you are wrong. This can and would benefit all of you.
As for the meet-up groups. I attended the Heritage Club last Monday. The theme of the meeting was if there is a candidate or an issue that is important in another county forget about that, lets go there, volunteer and get involved to get the person elected or the bill passed. If a person is out of work, lets spread the word amongst us so we can hire him in our circle. Even if someone's house needs painting, let go there and help him. Whatever the problem is lets be there for one another. I asked if I could close the meeting. I passed around the warrant I received and tried telling them what is going on. The small group of about nine took my email address and said yes we will email you for more info so we can send out a letter in support of you to Euclid. Guess how many contacted me? ONE! Ron, thank you! Jeff told me a lady wrote to him on another matter and said tell your friend good luck with Euclid. What a waste of time that meeting was.
Lets move on to Senator Sherrod Brown. Why would I write to him? Because he is introducing legislation that would give federal aid to communities with vacant and abandoned properties and homes because of major population and job loss. And ready for this part, LOCALLY EUCLID.... MIGHT BE THE ONLY CITY ELIGIBLE TO RECEIVE FUNDS. You got that? Here I am doing all I can to keep my tenants, run a business which is basically what rentals are and Euclid is interfering to the point where I may lose the house or houses. How many more empty houses do they need? Maybe Senator Sherrod Brown should look into the policies of Euclid first.
And why the ACLU? I really cringe writing to them but they are suppose to be the champion of freedom, right? Mandatory yearly inside inspections are not only an invasion of ones privacy but where is the probably cause or warrant to do so? Oh I go a warrant alright but only after I said no to them coming inside.
Am I making sense why I am fed up? Understand why I am down? April 15th there is a HUGE protest going on all across America against taxation.. Well guess what? I started my protest last May and it has to do with more than just taxes. It has to do with invading my privacy, it has to do with the added fees and it has to do with what is a person suppose to do if they can't afford such demands? Where are my backers? Understand?
Carey
First, are you even interested in hearing about this continuing saga of Euclid? If you aren't I won't write further updates. A lot of my writings feed off of your interactions and feedback so you got to let me know.
Now...
I told Cindy R. I am so upset by the crap that is going on in Euclid, no backing from friends and political meet-ups I belong to, lack of response from the ACLU and Senator Sherrod Brown and the unwillingness of any newspaper to investigate what is happening that I am done with politics. I even told Cindy I am actually embarrassed to call myself an American. In fact I have been chatting online for over a year with a lady in the Philippines.. We talk about everything and our problems. She said her country is pro-American and her dreams are to visit America one day. I am so taken aback by Euclids rules on mandatory inspections, the hell they are causing my family because I had a nephew staying in my house for 3 months that I couldn't even tell my friend what is going on here in America. We are suppose to be a beacon of light of freedom and yet in a small city like Euclid they can push a person to the brink of financial collapse and dictate what you can do with your house. Where is the freedom in this?
So lets rattle through these.
What am I talking about no backing from friends? I receive plenty of support BUT no backing, to me there is a difference. Daily I receive emails or calls asking of updates and/or how am I doing, a few even called and wanted to know if I needed the bond money. A few even did things that I can't mention, you know who you are, thank you! I am greatly humbled by all of this. But support is not what's needed, backing is. Calls, letters, and emails in my support to Euclid. If you think this is all just about Carey you are wrong. This can and would benefit all of you.
As for the meet-up groups. I attended the Heritage Club last Monday. The theme of the meeting was if there is a candidate or an issue that is important in another county forget about that, lets go there, volunteer and get involved to get the person elected or the bill passed. If a person is out of work, lets spread the word amongst us so we can hire him in our circle. Even if someone's house needs painting, let go there and help him. Whatever the problem is lets be there for one another. I asked if I could close the meeting. I passed around the warrant I received and tried telling them what is going on. The small group of about nine took my email address and said yes we will email you for more info so we can send out a letter in support of you to Euclid. Guess how many contacted me? ONE! Ron, thank you! Jeff told me a lady wrote to him on another matter and said tell your friend good luck with Euclid. What a waste of time that meeting was.
Lets move on to Senator Sherrod Brown. Why would I write to him? Because he is introducing legislation that would give federal aid to communities with vacant and abandoned properties and homes because of major population and job loss. And ready for this part, LOCALLY EUCLID.... MIGHT BE THE ONLY CITY ELIGIBLE TO RECEIVE FUNDS. You got that? Here I am doing all I can to keep my tenants, run a business which is basically what rentals are and Euclid is interfering to the point where I may lose the house or houses. How many more empty houses do they need? Maybe Senator Sherrod Brown should look into the policies of Euclid first.
And why the ACLU? I really cringe writing to them but they are suppose to be the champion of freedom, right? Mandatory yearly inside inspections are not only an invasion of ones privacy but where is the probably cause or warrant to do so? Oh I go a warrant alright but only after I said no to them coming inside.
Am I making sense why I am fed up? Understand why I am down? April 15th there is a HUGE protest going on all across America against taxation.. Well guess what? I started my protest last May and it has to do with more than just taxes. It has to do with invading my privacy, it has to do with the added fees and it has to do with what is a person suppose to do if they can't afford such demands? Where are my backers? Understand?
Carey
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