"PLAY WITH FIRE" rolling stones
Well I was going to go easy on the safety meeting, but then someone calls me out.
Start with Police Chief Hayer stated there wasn't an intersection in town that warrant "red light cameras". Who on council thought this one up? The chief was asked about Cobblestone Apartments and said it was covered by a zone car. When asked if there were any problems with that. He mentioned if the officer is out there and an incident happened in the city it left him one patrolman short.
First impression of the new chief is that he is a straight shooter, and will not be intimidated by anyone.
Now the Fire Chief shows us his plan. First off my problem with the fire department is not with the front line firefighters, They take on awesome responsibility, and courage in their duty. My problem is with the administration.
Funding
Training
Equipment replacement
PPE
Station[s]
How are we preceived by the residents of the city?
and my favorite......
How are the blogs. out there affecting our image? You're kidding theres only 12 of us reading this.
What has this or any other blog. lied about what was reported?
Maybe if the city told the facts more often than trying to sugar-coat everything there would be no need for a blog.
Back to funding - the chief explained the .07 fire levy passed in 1991 just does't cover the cost of new equipment ect. Well chief how about explaining around three million dollars your department has received from insurance companies and Medicare since 2003? What in 2009 over $460,000.
This people, is a new revenue stream the city didn't have ten years ago. He told me he paid cash for the new E.M.S. unit purchased last year.
The glorified beer truck? [Sorry Technical Rescue Vehicle] purchased last year to carry rope is now parked in the spot where our command vehicle was parked. Where is the command unit today? Out at Painesville Townships Hardy Rd. Fire Station.
Well someone can go fetch it I guess.
Somehow Cobblestone response times seem to be decreasing?
Next time the Hospital moves maybe they could give the city a ten year advance notice, so the administration will have ample time to prepare.
Over all we don't do a bad job.[not my quote]
posted by terminator1 @ 4:11 PM
53 Comments
53 Comments:
Please keep on this term. The fire chief is just beginning to show his incompetence.
They just don't get it downtown Term, They have been allowed to run free for so long they don't have a clue how things work in the real world. Every employee received a 2%$ raise what did that cost us over $200,000 a year in this economy?
People talking, getting involved, hammering-out ideas - it’s all good. No one will be sent to their room without dinner for disagreeing. As for the fire department levy passed back in 1991- shame on us. We should have put another safety levy before the voters long ago, rather than waiting until we are in the midst of a recession to bring up the topic. I don’t want to see anyone lose their job. Having said that, we need to put more money into the police and fire budgets, and clean-out the administration offices. Half the City Hall workforce is not needed for a population of around 15,000. And City Hall, as a building, is very nice. After half of the worthless positions are cut we could put the remaining workers in the fire department building and move the firemen/paramedics to City Hall. The police department could expand into the area as well. And with the money we save on salaries, we could expand the budgets of the safety forces. As for Painesville’s image - I think Painesville is the most beautiful city in all of Lake County, especially in the spring. And the college grounds are stunning. I love walking through the campus. I credit the current administration for that, and the college leadership. But I disagree with some things going on in this town. That doesn’t make me a bad person - just means I disagree. It’s how our country was founded - by people who just disagreed. It’s all good.
So was the First Responders talked about? Was anyone talking about having a meeting with the other cities, etc.? Has Flock done anything about this, or still nothing? What was this, just more of the same, meaning nothing is going to change -- again?
Flock isn't on the safety committee for starters. The chief mentioned "Cooperative Services" nothing written, claims communities hate the word regionalization?
Looks like Concord backed out of a joint fire station on Rt 84.
Can only wonder why, claimed they were more concerned on the southern part of there community.
Thank you Ms. Sak. I don't always agree with most things said here because most of the frequent bloggers do not have their facts straight. Such as the police chief's name, it's not Hayer it's HAGER. Point made.
You my dear, have gone to the persons in charge for your information. I don't have a clue where he gets his information-maybe from a cracker jack box or a fortune cookie. Also, I agree that the people of this city should have passed a safety levy years ago for the PD & FD. I remember a couple years ago when FD went out for a levy and this blog owner was one of the biggest opponents yet he continues to gripe about shoddy coverage. Can not do everything on an antiquated shoestring budget.
People who visit this should be given factual information, I mean if he can't even get HAGER right imagine what else is wrong.
As for all the money PCFD makes, anyone with any business sense knows: if you get money from the general fund and you receive monies from other revenue they play a shell game by taking some of that money you would get from the general fund. You can't and don't get both portions of the funds.
I know I will get attacked here but here goes.
Think about this for a minute. There is one section of the work force who for the most part aren't effected by the economy. No worries either about health care because they have their own paid for by us. That is the government worker. Most have kept their jobs and even gotten raises at all levels from the Federal to the local. The Federal Government is even hiring more and that doesn't include the census workers.
Here it comes. Basically, the Democrats support a stronger bigger Federal Government while the Republicans favor a weaker smaller Federal Government. This is just a general statement and observation. We could go on but just think about this difference for now.
Since the Democrats far outnumber the Republicans in Painesville, who do we have to blame for our administration? Who elected these people and why is the local government different from the federal? Seems to me that government needs to be held responsible from top to bottom. We all know who said
"And so, my fellow Americans: ask not what your country can do for you - ask what you can do for your country."
I think it is time we stop sitting back and asking or expecting the government to take care of us. Time to get involved and tell our congressmen to follow the words above and realize the second part means us. They work for us.
On a side note. I was reading about Painesville city and township schools on the Ohio Public School reviews site. I need to do a little more research but here is what that site lists.
http://www.publicschoolreview.com/high_schools/stateid/OH
A couple of things came to my attention.
Painesville City takes in $12,501 per student and pays out $12,908 per student. That means we are in the red $407 for every student . For that we get a graduation rate of 72%.
Painesville Twp takes in $8,886 and pays out $8,681 per student. That means they are in the black $205 for every student. For that they have a 93% graduation rate.
I don't think it was that far apart when Term and I went to school. So what has changed. Is it the increase of subsidized housing, Hispanics who can't speak English, the drugs and youth gangs we don't have or the 50% grading policy? Term's earlier thread asked if all the teachers could get fired here. How about the school board? Is it the standards are being lowered to let more students graduate?
I think all of the above are to blame. We need to do away with this 50% policy now. A second chance for a test is better than awarding points. There can be no pride if grades or anything are just handed to a student. They must be earned or they will always look for the easy way out and expect things to be handed to them for the rest of their lives. A sense of pride for earning every grade and accomplishment is far better than awarding grades or knowing the standards will just be lowered so they pass. Otherwise, they will just look for the easy way out. A life of crime, drugs, and welfare. Is this all the remaining 28% have to look forward to? Is this what our taxes pay for? Wonder what the new school levy will be? Will the new schools and more money yet make things better? I have my doubts.
It is our job to provide the education and help and it is their job to do the work needed to learn.
Just my 2¢
This is 6:35. The reason I was wondering if Flock was there is because this has been a main issue of his, including bringing himself to tears at council meetings over the people in Cobblestone and the slow response times there.
Several citizens were there, so why wasn't Flock? And what about the rest of council? I would think they all would want to be there. Flock made such a big deal about wanting meetings with the other communities, yet has not only not done that to my knowledge, but he didn't even go to the safety meeting.
My apology to the Chief for the wrong last name.
I can only guess 7:56 you believe everything here is wrong? Well time will tell.
Term, whats your issue with the fire chief? It seems you have a bullseye on him.
In my earlier post, I meant to include the high number of rentals to go along with the subsidized housing. One victim of all of these problems are the children. They are the ones who will be trapped in this endless cycle. Until we can instill pride in a well earned education, a lot will fall into the trap of taking the easy way out. It all starts with an education. But there are other ways to instill pride besides book smarts. There is the Vocational School, the arts and even sports.
Speaking of sports. Sports can teach teamwork and hard work can pay off. I wonder where the sports programs will be headed if more and more can't play because of grades. The Hispanics have their soccer but are the other kids welcome. Do the Hispanics want to play say baseball, track, football or basketball.
If these kids can't work or play together in school were they spend a major portion of their day together, how can we expect them or the rest of us to get along. Are we doomed to only get worse and have more of the same here in Painesville? Are we just changing from a small suburban town to an inner city one with a small population but still has all the problems of our poor, large, urban inner cities?
Education is the key. The key needed to break this vicious cycle. New schools and more money won't help enough. A good school system is where the school board, teachers, parents AND the students all work together. This can start with pride in the schools. Pride where everyone wants to work together for the betterment of the schools. Do we have that now? I don't think so. Do you?
New article from Martinsville re: AMP
City's share of AMP debt uncertain
Thursday, March 11, 2010
It could be more than a year before Martinsville officials learn how much the city owes toward the development of a coal-fired power plant project in Ohio that was discontinued in November.
American Municipal Power (AMP) spent roughly $200 million on developing the project, which was canceled due to high cost estimates by contractors. Martinsville’s prorated share of the cost was estimated at $2.08 million.
City Manager Clarence Monday said he understands it could be 12 to 18 months before AMP can determine what the city’s exact share will be... (more at link)
http://www.martinsvillebulletin.com/article.cfm?ID=22826
I would like Ms. McMahon and the Members of Council to ADMIT that we owe a portion of what has been spent so far on the AMPGS project in Meigs County, Ohio.
Please Ms. McMahon, just be straight with us.
Did you hear Mr. Gerken say that YES, we will pay for an unfinished plant?
*Council meeting -- Oct 15, 2007
Mr. Flock asked if the EPA closed the plant before generating any power would the 93 members be liable.
Mr. Gerken replied that yes they would be liable but he does not see that happening.
Mr. Flock asked what a take and pay contract was?
Mr. Gerken replied a take and pay contract is when you agree to take the energy output that is generated and regardless of what happens to the project you will be pay for it.
*Council meeting – Feb. 19, 2008
Mr. Gerken stated the participants committee will monitor costs monthly and track the project. It takes 75% majority to stop the project at any time.
City is on the hook for the costs incurred should the project stop.
Mr. Gerken explained AMP-Ohio is a non-profit owned by the City and another 122 participating members. AMP-Ohio works for the City.
*Council Meeting -- Dec. 21, 2009
Ms. McMahon stated the City cannot comment on the article [Martinsville ]. The City does not owe anything at this time. We asked AMP staff to review other options. The City was never given a number of an amount owed and we have not been asked to pay a penny.
[Just because you have not received a bill -- does not mean you don’t owe anything.]
They will never admit to anything until they have to. No bill means presently we owe nothing. This is how business is done in our fair city.
7:17 Not a personal thing, just have watch thing and heard comments made by him that leave me concerned if his loyalty is to the residents, his fire fighters, or the city administration?
I agree with Badger on one thing, the fact Painesville is Democrats.
This fact alone leads to all the other "problems" in this city.
Schools - It is well known and documented that school performance in general is linked to income levels. This city embraces and supports the bulk of the low income in Lake County, it is not a surprise we are the worst performing schools. If schools published data by family/income level I would bet a lunch our students compare favorably with equal income levels in other cities, we just have far more low income which drags us down.
Our safety forces have the same problem, it is well documented that low income families in general mis-use public services.
And tie all of this to the fact since we are low income heavy we get less taxes to take care of low income people.
This "embracing" by our public officials in this city will never end if we keep electing the same ones over and over. Some posters have expressed concern in the past over how closely our schools are tied to council, see the pattern here?
To 8:21. Thanks for printing McMahon's slippery comments. This is her method of lying. If someone calls her on it, she can go back and quote her words and prove she didn't actually lie -- just used her words carefully to not tell the truth. This is why nobody trusts her. This is why citizens are afraid we will never know the truth about how much of our money they lost on this coal deal. This is why council just voted to spend 35,000-40,000 (MY guess at the amount) on the landfill deal with AMP over the next 14 years to power one house, unless they would have voted for it anyway, and who knows. She never gives all the details. She leaves out what she thinks she needs to to manipulate things. More and more I question her motives on so many things.
As long as this city keeps voting in the Hada political machine they are getting what they deserve.
Good Luck, I have decided I'm moving out, tired of fighting it.
Congrats! On the way you putdown resident on the News-Herald blog. and on your own safety comments here at this site. Yes to many good people and companies have been told to hit the road by some here in town.
Why would the fire chief even bring up this blog. unless it was starting to make an impact?
As far as the dress code at the high school that principal just gave me another reason to vote NO in May. If the board can't control there own employees how do they expect results out of the students? I don't think there will be a levy pass this year just by the way the city, county and boards has done business.
Okay now, wait just one minute. The fact that we have this terrible city manager and this terrible city council is because DEMOCRATS voted them in? Don't even get me started on Republicans vs. Democrats. That is an absurd statement.
To be clear, I was pointing our the fact that similarities between our local and federal government administrations. That these administrations AND almost all of our representatives, both Republican and Democrats, live in their own little world isolated from the average Americans problems with health care and jobs. I believe. I repeat, I believe, that both Rita and President Obama and even Congress believe they and only they know what is good for the rest of us. They forget they work for us.
TERM has a bullseye on any & everyone who do not see things his or his little group of followers ways.
It is evident in the censoring he does on this site. If he doesn't like it - it won't get printed.
Folks-check out the News Herald's site where you have freedom of speech cause you don't have that here.
The sad thing is Term seems so miserable here yet just won't move someplace where he doesn't have any gripes.
You should have apoligized to your readers too for the posting the Chief's name wrong also. Time has been a tell-tale, there are a lot of out of context and half-truths circulated around this site. Like a giant game of telephone, only thing is you are messing with peoples lives and jobs.
A special thanks to anonymous 12:12for pointing out Mr. Flocks absence. Mr. Flock opened this whole can of worms and was no where to be found. Thanks Andy.
Happy reading Mayor, I'm sure this one will be deleted too. But you can't stop the News Heralds.
I would apoligize to you personally if I knew who you were? Only if it would make you feel better,I have no clue who you are?
Read the blog.Tuesday and remember your comment about the y and g.
I strive hard to make people like you happy. I seem to be doing my job. Oh, one other comment I asked several educators about your "A" at 83% , They laughed?
Our Safety Forces are not on any curve. Ressy.
Sounds like this cheerleader has some fangs? Any how 83% in my world never was an A grade period. I read in the paper what the chief comment was and it seems to back your statement up.
One question no one asks When Grand River no longer were first responders at Cobblestone didn't the chief think it was his responsibility to inform council if the city manager didn't?
I guess he works for the city manager and not the council or residents. I call that gutless, and self serving.
Mary Poppins
Badger kinda has a point. Do we know what is in the AMP deal. Do we owe any money? Same with health bill. Do we know what is in it or what it will cost. These people just want to pass these things as fast as they can. No one wants to explain anything to us. I try to follow these things but how do you find any correct answers. I to use to blame the Republicans for everything. Now i"m not so sure the way things are going. Democrats don't seem to be doing anything better. Who do you listen to. The ones in charge or the ones talking here. We elected these people and if things don't start getting better and soon I am going to start voting for the other person.
To 10:10: Here is a little difference I can point out as it concerns health care and the Republicans and the Democrats. Republicans gave us Managed Care and other things like that that took away a lot of people's ability, and their doctor's, too, to make their own health care decisions. They put those decisions in the hands of insurance companies. The Democrats are trying to give those decisions back to the people and their doctors, for just one thing that they are trying to do.
The Republicans generally DO do everything they can for the companies, businesses and themselves, while the Democrats work hard to help the people. I don't want to start a Democrat vs. a Republican thing, but that's just the way it is.
Another thing I think is very true is that everytime the Republicans run things, the country goes to hell, and when the Democrats get in power, they start to straighten it up. The Tea Party people are just killing me, too. Did they not notice that the insurance companies are killing and maiming people, and that millions are without healthcare? Did they not notice that our entire country just almost collapsed under Republican rule?
I agree that President Obama is not doing a great job of explaining things, but when he does, it doesn't get much press time at all. What is getting the attention is the screaming Republicans, even though they are not telling the truth, and even though they would rather Americans continue to die under the current healthcare system, as long as Democrats don't get any political points, and they do.
Add to that the radio talk personalities who make their living by scaring people and not telling the truth, and that's why this whole thing is such a mess, even though it's such a wonderful thing that the Democrats are trying to do.
When they first got in office, the Democrats DID shove through the children's healthcare bill. I didn't like that at all, but now maybe I see why. This current bill, however, has been out there for over a year, hasn't it? The problem is that the Republicans are yelling while the Democrats are talking, so the misinformation is out there more than the facts. And, admittedly, the Democrats are not doing ENOUGH talking.
I'm sure the Republicans will disagree, but I would ask people to calm down and do their own research, as difficult as that can be sometimes in this Replican vs. Democrats atmosphere we are in. The Democrats, including President Obama, are willing to lose their jobs come the next elections, in order to bring these important and necessary changes.
As for our current city government, we just need to get the bums OUT, but somehow people keep voting them in -- OOOOH, then again, that could be because they keep stealing the elections.
12:43 lets open another can of worms. First off I'm a Democrat and have watched this whole debate unfold over the past year. If there is no public option, any kind of healthcare reform the blame lies with the President and the House and Senate leaders.
Obama should have stepped in when the bribes, yes thats what I call them,started. Leadership doesn't mean giving some Senator in Florida or Nebraska a special deal. When people started talking about death panels you should have within minutes, answered . You had a Majority along with a mandate.
I can only wait to see what this administration considers Comprehensive Immigration Reform?
If you can't convince Americans the Health Insurers are taking them to the cleaners, this should be a nightmare.
This is 1:47. I agree with everything you said, Term. I do think that Obama's leadership on this has been much less than "strong enough." I think what they are doing is so important and good, but they have lost some of their "way" by trying to compromise with the Republicans, and, yes, some of the Democrats who wanted to be bribed for their "yes" votes. I think in the vein of trying to compromise and to get it passed, that Obama was (and is) showing restraint, when he should be being bolder. You are right when you say that as soon as the lies started, he should have been out there strongly dispelling them and calling out the ones that were doing the lying. I think lately, though, he is out there, but it just doesn't seem to be getting the press, or the people aren't listening, or the opposition is just yelling too loud, or he just isn't saying it often enough, now that they let it get this far. People are just confused now, when I think they should be listening to what Obama is saying.
On another note, I just had a conversation with a friend, and I found out that Hada is a Democrat??? Never in a million years would I have guessed that. Well, every party has their problems. I don't know what else to say. I'm flabbergasted.
Does anyone how JT is? What is his?/her? blog? I don't miss the comments, but didn't mean to hurt JT's feelings, or anything like that. I thought the comments were a little too sunny and optimistic for what is trying to be accomplished here, but, having said that, I hope JT is doing well. Anyone?
12:43
You just made my point. The federal government is OK. The local government is a bunch of incompetent crooks. Throw the bums out. Who read the stimulus package that gave millions of bonus' and who really knows what is in the health care bill? Who read the AMP deal and who really knows if we owe any money?
I still believe there is very little difference between our local and federal elected officials. We elected these people and we need to hold them responsible.
As far as your statement
"DO do everything they can for the companies, businesses and themselves"
That sure sounds a lot like what is going on in Cuyahoga County's corruption probe. I think the bums got or will get thrown out there.
I will agree that the media is a joke. Anything to prop up ratings.
Now, it is easy to play the blame game. The media does it every day. So do most of the people here. It is apparent that you blame only the Republicans and maybe Fox News. Ask a Republican and he will tell you the opposite. I blame all of us. The ones who elected these people. How many in Painesville are really involved in what goes on? Outside of the few regulars like Term and Tony, very few.
As far as the Tea Party groups go, I think they are a lot like this forum. A group of people who ask questions and want answers. I'm sure they feel it is their civic duty just as Term feels it is his civic duty to make people aware of what is going on in Painesville. If you try to silence anyone who may happen to disagree with you or who asks any questions, what will we get. Just more of the same or worse.
So let's stop playing the blame game and get involved.
12:43, you are wrong on so many levels. You are so misinformed and have had CNN shoved down your throat. For starters, the present government wants to give power back to the people?!!!! Are you totally insane? This government is all about taking power away from the people. Taking all rights from the people. You need to be informed and you won't get that by watching nothing but your left wing biased liberal media. I am just flabbergasted at your the stupidity of your comments.
This is 12:43 to Badger. I started being politically active when I was a kid, so I certainly agree with what you are saying there.
I do mostly blame the Republicans. You can look at the actual facts and see who is lying. I did, however, lay some of the blame on Democrats, too.
What is very apparant to me now is that if you tell the American people the wrong thing long enough and loud enough, they will believe you. One example is that people are saying that the government is trying to "take over" health care. Simply not true. They wanted to offer a public OPTION. That public OPTION would have been added to all the PRIVATE options that we already have. Another thing people have been told so many times that they believe it, but it is absolutely not true, is that "frivolous" lawsuits are driving up the costs of medicine in the U.S. I won't go into all the details, but that is absolutely not true. Quite the opposite is happening, especially in places like Ohio where there are already major limits on medical lawsuits. Doctors are maiming and killing people at enormous rates. The court system should be free to work that out in healthcare, just as it is in every other sector.
I think Obama decided to just give in on those two terrible things, thinking that if that is what it takes to get the Republicans on board, then that is what he would do -- just get passed what he can for the greater good. I am very disappointed in him for that, and I hope now that he sees that the Republicans will never be on board no matter what, that he will change his mind on those two issues.
Yes, I am sure the Republicans would think I am 100% wrong, but lies are lies, and I DO blame Fox News and all the radio "talkers", too, who spread untruths for their own good. Facts are facts, and they can be looked up.
I do agree with you that even though we have been told a lot about the health care bill, we are lacking in some specific information. If they had done so before, or would do so now, I think many people who are scared because of the lies, would feel a lot better about things. They will all know someone who will be saved because of these changes, and it may even be them.
As far as the Tea Party people go, they are screaming about the deficit, even though it was the Republicans that got us into most of this mess. The war in Iraq where (billions?) in cash was handed out and nobody knows where it went, not to mention the war in Iraq in and of itself, are just two examples.
I don't agree with what was done with some of the stimulus money, and they surely made some mistakes, but it was under Bush that some of that banking money started to be handed out without enough limits on it. I think Obama has admitted that his administration didn't do everything 100 correct, didn't he? But due to the fact that the entire country almost collapsed, and was in the middle of doing so when Obama took office, I think he did a pretty good job of saving our country. I think the Tea Party movement should get their facts straight or stay home and DRINK the tea. Or they could go with signs and instead of protesting Obama, they could thank him for saving our country from what was almost certainly total collapse, and for caring enough about them to actually be doing something about the horrible health care system we are under. I am one of those people who had private health care insurance for many years, paying it on my own and not through a company. I became quite ill, due to no fault of my own, and immediately upon finding that out, they raised my premiums so enormously, that I ended up deathly ill with no health insurance.
I do not have any patience for all the people who are screaming about things that are not true. But I guess that brings us back to your statement, Badger, that everyone needs to get involved. I would just hope that people stop being such followers, and actually do the research, so when they get involved they actually know what they are talking about.
As an Independent I have watched this debate unfold. I am politically active only that I don't believe in abortion. I am Catholic and after watching FOX NEWS I was against the Obama health plan because it promoted abortion rights.
Now I find out that 650 Catholic Hospitals agree with the health plan?
After checking the abortion issue is only a smoke screen to get people like myself to be against it.WHY?
5:41 Its not about healthcare, its not about insuring 40 million people, its about one sixth of our economy who will control the money. Healthcare dollars.
The insurance companies have a great gig here, the highest healthcare costs in the world. The government would like a bigger piece of the action than they already have [medicade, medicare]
Why no one in a country that can put people on the moon we, can't regulate healthcare services and costs like we do other monolopys is above my pay grade.
To put a local spin on this why do you believe Lake Health wants that hospital building torn down in Painesville? Its an eyesore? No as long as that building is there it could represent a problem with competition for your healthcare costs and their bottom line.[this is your choice us... or go for a long ride]
I have been told Capitalism is good and Socialism is bad. O.K. I'll buy that, then explain in a capitalist world isn't it supposed to promote competition?
Its all about money and greed.
The United States has the greatest Healthcare in the world.
Until you go to use it then it becomes a nightmare.
Don't get sick people or you will find out about the good hands your not in.
Its good to know that the administration and council are in the "double-dipping" business with departrment heads.
When you retire, retire
Also lets suspend employees who are issued faulty equipment, hope he sues.
To many people with to few real jobs to do.
To 6:06: You said Obama and his government is trying to take away all rights from the American people. Really?
They just put regulations on the credit card companies to force them to quit unfairly gouging and hurting the American people, for just one example of the present government giving power back to the people.
They have set up help systems to try to get people who are underwater with their mortgages help so they can redo their mortgages and stay in their homes.
They are trying to give the American people who are being harmed and killed by the insurance companies a public OPTION (notice that OPTION is not mandatory) so they will have a safe place to go for health insurance if they WANT (notice it is not mandatory) it.
They are trying to put into place rules that do not let insurance companies drop people who get sick, or raise their premiums so high that they can no longer afford it. They are trying to make sure that people with pre-existing conditions can get affordable health insurance coverage. They are trying to give back to the patients and their doctors the ability to make the health care decisions for that patient, and taking away that power from the insurance companies.
This government is doing everything in its power, in the short time it has been in office, to give control over their own lives back to Americans.
I think you need to stop your screaming, turn off Fox News, and actually look up the facts for yourself. They are all out there.
1:57pm you are brainwashed. You need to turn off CNN and think for yourself.
Blame and lies. Easier to do than take responsibility. Let's see, have we been told everything about AMP, probably not. Is the Paninesville administration lying? Probably not. Telling the whole truth, absolutely not. Same as our Federal Government.
12:43 You make some points but again don't tell the whole story. Iraq and Afghanistan, troop levels have increased since the last election. Deficits have increased greatly in the past year or so since the Democrats took office. So the blame game goes both ways. No one party is blameless.
My point is that we are all at fault for letting this happen. Both parties and us for electing them. So let’s stop blaming Bush, Clinton, Bush, Carter and all the rest. They are no longer in office. Ask any Democrat and he will tell you that Bush was handed a surplus and it is all his fault. In other words he will tell you that the US was debt free and had surplus of money in the treasury. The fact is that while Clinton reduced the deficit he did not reduce the National Debt. The National Debt increased each year of his administration. In fact, when he left office the National Debt was almost 6 Trillion dollars. He was able to reduce the deficit and public debt (money owed foreign countries or banks) by borrowing from Social Security. Shifted debt from one account to another but did not reduce it. Robbing Peter to pay Paul. A little smoke and mirrors in accounting. This borrowing has been going on by both parties over the past years to the tune of 2.5 Trillion dollars. Yes that is $2,500,000,000 the federal government owes Social Security.
My point is when all these bills or AMP contracts are all written in closed sessions and then they need to be passed without reading or any open discussion, I have to question if they are really any good. Two heads are better than one and so on. Why the rush. Makes me think of all the TV ads or Snake Oil salesmen that say “Order now, supplies limited or guaranteed to cure everything. If our government can’t seem to run Social Security and can borrow funds for pork barrel added to other bills, what will happen to healthcare funds? Same goes with this AMP Ohio deal. What are they hiding that they can’t take any public input, answer questions or open these up for debate.
Maybe I’m wrong but I consider my Social Security payments over the years, mine. I just don’t like the fact that the government can borrow funds, increase retirement age, or reduce benefits by passing a new bill. What will happen with my health care payments, deductions, or taxes needed to pay for this in the future. We can have Senate hearings over Supreme Court Justices, Toyota recalls, and just about everything else so why not about a health care bill. What’s to hide? We aren’t entitled to know what is in this bill?
Something as important as health care needs our best people working on it. We do need reform in catastrophic illness, existing conditions, some kind of group insurance program for poor and those who lose their jobs just to name a few. How to fund this group can be worked out. Let’s just not throw out the baby with the bath water. Forget parties, forget placing blame and just get to work and let’s get it right. I hope Term and Andy can at least bring about more discussion and more info to make sure we aren’t selling ourselves down the river with AMP. Not so sure on the federal government ability to get along though.
Time to forget the past, look at the present and do what is best for our future. Let's not forget that government health care won't be free. Someone has to pay for it.
Sorry for the long posts. Here is a short one.
If I am buying anything, I want to know what it is I am actually buying. That could be electricity or health care. Since we elect these representatives and pay them, then I believe we are entitled to know exactly what we are getting. Plain and simple, no politics.
5:22 should she watch FOX? Is it really fair and balanced?
7:35pm, you'll never know unless you get off of CNN and watch Fox. The main thing is "think for yourself". Don't just drink the kool aid that is being poured for you.
Another way to look at all of this is....
Why listen to anyone. Why me, why Term, why CNN or FOX.
What I'm trying to say is get involved, ask questions, listen to answers, then check those answers. Do your research, then ask more questions. Wait for answers. One thing Term does is ask questions and then wait and wait for the answer. Talk with friends, have debates, listen to someone who may be just on the other side of the issue. Truly listen and then by all means make your own decision. If we can't do this, how can we expect our elected officials to. We all need to do more of this and get more people to do likewise. We need to stop being lemmings because sooner or later we become loonies. After that we are just a bunch of losers.
This is 1:57. Just a few things:
Today (3/15/10) at 1:00 p.m., just in case the President's Ohio speech is not on TV, you can apparantly go the channel 5 news website (www.newsnet5.com) at 1:00 p.m. and they will have a link to watch it live. I don't know if it will be replayed later for those who cannot watch it at that time or not.
The reason we do not know more about the health care bill is because the Republicans refuse to participate. The President has waited more than a year for them to do so. The bill should have been passed by now. Everyone who has delayed it, including screaming citizens, in my opinion, have been equally responsible for all the people who have suffered and/or died in this elapsed time because the bill has not been passed.
I would urge everyone to listen to the President talk tomorrow. You will see that many of the details are worked out, and he will talk about all those details that are worked out so far.
I think the premise that everyone must get involved is, of course, a good and important idea. I do not think, however, that going back in the past, or even in the present, and saying who is responsible for what is playing the blame game. If I do something wrong, I certainly would not expect someone whose job it was to supposedly be watching me to take the blame. I also have a problem with people who DO get involved, and do not do their own research and just follow whoever is screaming the loudest. Again, apparantly if you tell the American people the wrong things loud enough and long enough they will listen and believe it.
I do not, by the way, watch CNN. I do not get it on my TV. I have only the most basic cable, as TV is not something I will allow much time for.
Just listen to what the President has to say with an open mind. Maybe you have plenty of health insurance right now, as I do again, but many people do not, and they are in desperate need of help. Please don't help politics get in the way of this very important legislation. One of the lives that is saved may be yours or someone you love.
TO Anonymous March 13, 2010 3:20
I thought the comments were a little too sunny and optimistic for what is trying to be accomplished here,-WOW! What is trying to be accomplished here?
From this blog, sounds like only negative doom & gloomers need apply?
This is 1:57. For anyone who wants to read the President's entire health care speech, you can go to www.newsnet5.com. Click on the first thing on the home page, which is a headline about the speech. When you get on that next page, go to the bottom of the page. You will see that you can start to read the whole speech there. It is a quick, easy read.
1:35 JT. probably just got tired of hearing "positive truth" or he ate himself to death? The man loved to eat.
Interesting tidbit. 10 years and 1 week was the anniversary of the start of the dot.com bust. Who was President then????? Wasn't Bush.
4:16 pm, you can't believe anything O says. Listening to him is not doing research. Go drink your kool aid. Thank God that the republicans aren't going along with this fiasco. At least they have brains.
This is March 13, 3:20 to March 15, 1:35 p.m.: I didn't state that very clearly. What I meant is that he kept taking everyone to task for what we were saying here, and had what I thought was a very naive view of what was going on in the city. Most people who are posting here, as far as I can tell, have gone many rounds with the city, and have watched management do many, many expensive and/or bad things over multiple years or decades. We are trying to bring about some changes here (I realize I am taking the liberty of speaking for everyone, but am probably correct as it concerns most people who contribute to this blog) and someone constantly telling us to just play nicer and everything will be okay was just counter productive in my view.
Didn't want to hurt anyone's feelings, though, or anything like that. One person was especially brutal to him?/her?, and I feel badly that I did not speak up then to chastise that person and to stick up for JT. I guess you could say that I personally didn't want JT to go away mad, I just wanted JT to go away. Hope JT is doing well, though. Would still like to know what JT's website is, and wish JT the best.
Yea, don't follow "O". Follow "W" like all the Republican brains did. The history books will show this idiot leader took us into a war with the wrong country, for the wrong reasons killing many Americans and Iraq and costing the treasury billions in the process.
You can't buy that kind of leadership.
To 4:45: What would the President of the United States have to do with the dot.com bust? Quite a different story when it comes to the banking and financial industry that was so unregulated that it almost took down the entire country.
To 4:54: You are very rude, and I equate rudeness with lack of class and intelligence.
I didn't say that the only thing I did for research was to listen to President Obama. You must be one of the Republicans who would rather scream untruths and lies instead of listening calmly to the facts.
Well, to each his own, but you had better hope that it is not you or someone you love that you are helping not have the proper protection if they get sick.
I may be done posting on this subject. Haven't quite decided yet, but for anyone who was going to calm down and listen, I figure they already got the point and will consider it. For the people who are still saying hysterical things like 4:54, I figure they always will and nothing I can say will change that.
7:31
Merely pointing out that all our economic problems were not one person's fault or even one parties fault. And that they started long before most people think. Like if your paycheck is smaller than last week then that's when the problem started.
Just watched the council meeting on TV. Some things certainly look hopeful. Councilwoman Lori DiNallo is working on changing the property inspection rules that have been out of control for many years in this town. Thanks, Lori.
Also, councilman Jim Fodor is looking into the safety response times issue that has long needed serious attention. Has already held one meeting, and will be holding another one next month. He is gathering information, and this is certainly a welcome step. Hope he talks to all the surrounding towns to see where they stand, what they think THEY need, and how that might relate to a mutual aid issue, if it looks warranted. Thanks, Jim.
Hey Term, thanks for the important blog. I think YOU can take some of the credit, too.
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