Tuesday, September 29, 2009

The Pete Morin News Service--Editorial #11

These are, indeed, depressing times that we live in. I was listening to the Mark Levin radio show earlier today when a doctor in California called into the show to express an opinion. The doctor was asked whether she approved of the idea of having individuals fined and/or imprisoned if they did not purchase healthcare insurance. The answer she gave astounded me. Evidently, she didn't mind this notion in the least, felling that everyone should be compelled to have insurance.

Have we lost our minds? Have we lost so much of our independence and character that we would resort to such a mindless conclusion; that our fellow citizens should be incarcerated if they don't do exactly what the government says they should do? How did we get to this point? How could we abandon the innate freedom, the individuality that is so important to the American ethos? I'm saddened and stunned to even hear such foolishness, especially from the mouth of a doctor; a supposed educated individual.

Then again, there's where the problem lies. This person may have a superb medical education, but as far as knowing anything about history, or law, or philosophy--there's nothing there but an empty mind content with the belief that government is all knowing and always good and she's perfectly content with living in such a society.

I fear that this doctor isn't alone. I fear that the government controlled schools have done their jobs well; they've done an excellent job at indoctrinating students in the idea that the bigger a government is the more it can do for its' people. If this is so, then we have only a future of subserviance to an all powerful master.

I've written previously that the Constitution is dead. The realization that this may be so has finally hit me. I wrote somewhat in jest, but now there is no levity. We have taken the collective wisdom of brilliant men who recognized the dangers of unlimited government and flushed them down the toilet of collectivism and socialism. We believe that we can compel people through law to do what they know is not right morally. We believe we can rewrite the works of historical precedent. We believe we have perfected mankind to a level never seen previously, or dreamed of, by the likes of Hitler, Stalin, Mao, Pol Pot, Saddam or even lesser mortals such as Rousseau, Plato, Marx et. al. Mark Levin would call this a 'soft tyranny'. By any other name it is nothing more than tyranny. We will discover with dismay, and I say this especially to that doctor, that lawful tyranny will beget more tyranny until the day comes when there is, utterly, no freedom.

What's next? the car you drive, or even if you're allowed to drive. The house you live in, or even where you're allowed to live. The food you eat, or even whether you're allowed to eat. The books you read, what you watch on television or whether there are books or TV. The thoughts you have, or whether there will be thinking! The chip that will be implanted in your child's brain will be all you need to know. There will be none of the above.

Welcome to the twenty first century.

The Pete Morin News Service--Issue #22

News Flash from Washington, DC, September 29, 2009

It appears that an amendment for a public option in the healthcare bill presented by Senators Schumer and Rockefeller is dead, at least for the time being. The Democrats, however, have intimated that 'reconciliation', or an attempt to pass legislation with only a majority vote requirement, may still be pursued.

Another little known section of the proposed legislation concerns fines and possible imprisonment for individuals who do not purchase healthcare insurance once the Democrat backed bill is passed. Individuals can be fined $1900/person for not complying with the healthcare mandate. If the fine is not paid, a misdemeanor felony charge could be applied and if found guilty, an additional $25,000 fine and/or one year imprisonment could be imposed. It is assumed that the Democrats will then request an additional $50 billion dollars for prison construction to house these felonious, lawbreaking deviants. No word yet as to whether those convicted and sent to prison will then be given free healthcare.

President Obama and Oprah Winfrey are winging their way via taxpayer expense to Copenhagen, Denmark to try and present their case for having the 2016 Olympics held in Chicago. They will stay for only one night before returning to the US. This will minimize the effects of any carbon footprint.

The FHA(Federal Housing Authority) has increased its mortgage portfolio to almost $1 trillion dollars. That now leaves the agency leveraged at 50:1, or only $20 billion dollars. When Bear Stearns went bankrupt, its ratio was 33:1. Prospective buyers with FHA approval need only provide a 2.5 % down payment. Can you say 'FHA bailout'? coming soon to our treasury.

This brief news clip provided by the Pete Morin News Service

Friday, September 25, 2009

The Pete Morin News Service--Editorial #10

Discussion

There are few things in life so important, so dynamic, so invigorating as discussion. There needn't be agreement or acquiescence, or even subservience to another's viewpoint, only the spirit of good jousting and verbiage to complement the give and take.

Such it is that I find myself with a friend of over forty years when we partake of a healthy brew and chew each other's words and thoughts with earthy delight.

Freedom often comes to the fore as a topic representative of troubling times, but other such contentious terms as 'greed' and 'envy' provide hours of stimulating conversation. (Of course, the preferred 'brew' often leads to more animated and passionate debate). Never the less, freedom is a rather large term and can connote ambiguity or definitiveness based on one's point of view.

I propose freedom in a political, as well as, personal sense. To me, living without the ability to choose one's own path in life, be it profession, religion or deepest philosophy, leaves me cold. There have been points in my life where the idea of simple existence was enough to sustain me; those times no longer appeal. There's an old Chinese proverb--"may you live in interesting times"--that applies to where we are today. No doubt, there have always been 'interesting times', otherwise how would the Chinese have captured the unending drama representative of the declaration. But we do live in such times, a paradox buttressed by a lack of balance that would help us recognize our imperiled state.

My friend takes a more metaphysical view of life, perhaps tying freedom to the need for a more 'examined' existence. Since I'm more attached to the troubles of the day a metaphysical view is more difficult to discern in a contentious world. Freedom, to me, means to live a life as unencumbered as possible from the imposed duty of being my brother's keeper. Those who are forced to be compassionate provide neither compassion nor empathy, but a sense of resentment towards those who issue the forced directives. Governments are made to enforce those directives; the fewer the better. If the ideal is to 'live and let live', then a government must not inject itself into this ideal. A government's main objective must be to protect the ideal; to not plan obtrusive incursions into the lives of its' citizens. When governments do so, they change the dynamic of human interaction. They change the very basic functions that men live by; those functions being to interact, to contract with one another. There is the essence of freedom; the mutually beneficial arrangement that empowers both parties. When legislators insert rules and laws within this delicate balance the contract loses all meaning. There would then be that leviathan lurking behind constantly deciding if its' rules meet the standards set by the ruling elite. It isn't without some trepidation that I use the term 'elite', but those who impose rules where none may be required can only be considered 'elite'.

Anyway, we pass time arguing, cajoling, nad needling each other with good natured profanity on the whatever subject arouses our passions. It's time that I find well spent. The vigor and honesty of the joust is exhilerating. I only hope that there are more in America today who also enjoy this type of uplifting, personal drama. It can lead to an invaluable decision to embrace freedom and the many meanings that 'we the people' can ascribe to it. Perhaps my friend would agree.

Friday, September 18, 2009

The Pete Morin News Service--Issue #21

Way, way in the future---

News Flash from Washington, DC, September 18, 2019

President Clinton announced today that the Treasury Department will suspend printing Federal Reserve Notes in $1,000 denominations. The President indicated only bills $10,000 and larger will be printed in the foreseeable future. “The inflation rate, having reached 75%, has forced the government to print only larger denominated bills”, said Harry Reid, the Presidential Press Secretary. The inflation rate combined with an unemployment rate that has now reached 46% has caused the government to be in session at only very specific times unannounced to the public.

Crime in the U.S. has now reached epidemic proportions in Washington, DC and other large cities including Newark and Jersey City, New Jersey. People in the last two cities mentioned have actually taken to exiting their homes in the dead of night to avoid paying the infamous New Jersey ‘exit tax’. Those desiring to leave the state must forfeit either their cars or home before being allowed to leave. New Jersey elected officials expressed concern that the state population is decreasing at such a rate that homeless, welfare, mental health and government subsidized work programs may have to be cut. “Because of the selfishness of a few inconsiderate, anti-government far right winger degenerates, the less fortunate of our state may be permanently harmed and forced to seek employment at the less than the mandated state $200/hour rate. This will leave us at a very disadvantageous position with regard to those states that do not have a great concern for their citizens”, commented John Corzine, State Appropriations Officer.

Meanwhile, nine Southern States have announced that they will set a date for a regional convention to determine whether or not they will remain in the Union. Alabama representative, Millard T. Fillmore expressed the belief that the new ‘Southern Union’, as he called it, will take a vote at the convention and almost assuredly will vote to secede from the United States. “The actions of the central government have left us with no other option but to consider leaving the Union. We understand there may be violence or resistance from Federal authorities, but we cannot continue to see our liberties and our freedoms vanquished by the ineptitude of a bloated, wasteful central government.” The Southern Union consists of Alabama, Mississippi, Florida, Louisiana, Georgia, North & South Carolina, Virginia and Tennessee. Officials from all the States indicated their support for the possible secession. The Clinton Administration will have a response at an appropriate, unannounced time.

In New York City, a brazen daytime robbery took place. An armored car, carrying approximately $800 billion dollars was robbed. The money was found on the sidewalk, but the truck was nowhere to be found. There were no injuries reported and Mayor Michael Bloomberg, vacationing in China, could not be reached.

The drought to the Central Valley of California continues without any respite in sight. HoneyBee Dimples, of the ‘Save the Smelt’ campaign has issued a statement saying that “no negotiation will take place regarding the Delta Smelt, or the supposed relief of the Central Valley farmers until the farmers realize that the Smelt must be protected at any cost. Humans have caused such great damage to the ecosystem that the demise of the farmers isn’t even on our radar.” HoneyBee and a small band of ‘homesteaders’ have appropriated the farming land and refuse to acknowledge any legal attempts to have them removed. La Raza is providing legal assistance to the ‘eco-warriors’.

MLB and NFL league officials have indicated that a new ticket pricing structure will be applied to all league games effectively immediately. “All fans will now be allowed to attend a game for only three innings in baseball and one quarter in football. This is necessary due to the fact that no fan can now afford to stay for an entire game”, quoted William Bufferbust from the combined MLB/NFL Wage and Price Stabilization Committee. “Since we now have to pay our professional athletes $100 million/game, it’s in the best economic interests of our league that we restrict attendance for the fans.” No word yet from the NHL/NBA Wage and Price Stabilization Committee as to whether they will follow with similar restrictions.

One final item; all professional major leagues will no longer play night games due to the fact that global temperatures have cooled significantly in the last twenty years making it too cold to play at night.

This has been a news flash from the capitol, Wash----ah, Buffalo, NY.

Thursday, September 17, 2009

The Pete Morin News Service--Editorial #9 (The Real World)

This from the Associated Press--September 17, 2009--

New health proposal is industry's favorite so far
Story user rating: By JULIE HIRSCHFELD DAVIS Published: Today

Senate Finance Committee Chairman Sen. Max Baucus, D- Mont. leaves his health care news conference on Capitol Hill in Washington, Sept. 16, 2009.

WASHINGTON (AP) - The latest health overhaul plan circulating on Capitol Hill gives health insurers, drug makers and large employers reasons to heave sighs of relief, sparing them the higher costs and more burdensome rules included in other Democratic-written alternatives.

Industry players that have already struck bargains with President Barack Obama's administration and leading Democrats to help pay for revamping the health system saw most of those deals left intact - and in some cases sweetened - in the $856 billion proposal unveiled Wednesday by Sen. Max Baucus, D-Mont., the Finance Committee chairman.

You won't hear any of them cheering publicly about what they would get out of the measure, because many are still hoping for a better deal before Congress takes final action on revamping the health care system. But don't expect to hear them coming out in opposition, since they know Baucus' plan is the lesser of many evils being considered.

Take the health insurance industry.

It would score a new, taxpayer-subsidized customer base of millions who don't currently have insurance, thanks to a mandate that everyone purchase coverage - backed up by steep penalties on people who don't. And it wouldn't have to compete with the government to cover people, unlike in the four other health overhaul plans approved this year by Democratic-dominated congressional committees.

Nor would the nonprofit so-called "co-ops" designed to provide consumers with an alternative to private health insurance pose any real threat to their business, according to a nonpartisan analysis released Wednesday. The Congressional Budget Office said those plans "seem unlikely to establish a significant market presence in many areas of the country or to noticeably affect federal subsidy payments."

Insurers would also take a smaller hit to the payments they get for offering private plans under Medicare - some $110 to $120 billion, estimated one industry source, compared with the $175 billion that Obama initially proposed this year.

In exchange, insurers had already agreed to stop denying coverage to people with serious health conditions and help cover the cost of the transition to the new system. They're still fighting hard against two other aspects of the measure that would slice into their potential profits: a new 35 percent excise tax on high-cost plans and $60 billion in fees, both of which insurers warn would be passed on to consumers.

"We have some significant concerns, particularly the new taxes that are going to make health insurance less affordable," said Robert Zirkelbach, a spokesman for America's Health Insurance Plans. He rejected the notion put forth by many liberal and labor groups that the measure amounts to a gift to private insurers, arguing that the companies are covering more than one-quarter of its pricetag, a level disproportionate with the industry's share of health care costs.

But health insurance stocks jumped Wednesday at the news of Baucus' public option-free measure. And privately, industry lobbyists acknowledged that the plan is far more to their liking than any of the other measures currently under discussion, and expressed confidence that it would improve further as senators and Obama's team continued to haggle over its details as it approaches a Senate vote.

Meanwhile progressives called the measure an industry giveaway - "like a dream come true" for insurers, said Justin Ruben of MoveOn.org - and labor leaders said Baucus had compromised too much and produced a bill that would force people to buy health coverage they couldn't afford.

"We think the plan the way it is structured incentivizes employers to offer bare-bones plans," said Chuck Loveless, the legislative director of the American Federation of State County and Municipal Employees. As for the co-ops, he said they were "designed to fail, and it's a great boondoggle for the insurance companies. We don't think it's going to increase competition or bring down costs."

Big employers would dodge what many of them considered the most costly bullet among Democrats' health care proposals - a mandate to offer health insurance - although they would have to pay a modest fee if the government ended up subsidizing employees' coverage.

The Business Roundtable, which represents corporate executives, cheered Baucus' proposal in a statement from Eastman Kodak CEO Antonio M. Perez that called it "bold" and "a step in the right direction."

Drug makers who had previously cut a deal with Obama and Baucus to kick in $80 billion to help pay for the overhaul would see that agreement preserved, while rival proposals in the House that would force them to cover more drug costs for elderly people would cost them considerably more, as much as $140 billion.

The Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America, which plans to spend tens of millions on an ad campaign promoting a health overhaul, stayed relatively quiet, issuing only a brief statement that said it was reviewing Baucus' plan.

Ken Johnson, PhRMA's spokesman, said the industry would "continue to be a constructive partner" in the effort to enact health reforms.

Some businesses would see increased costs under Baucus' plan, and they were pushing hard to avoid them. Medical device makers would have to pay fees amounting to $40 billion while clinical laboratories would pay $7.5 billion.


Let's dissect this report, shall we?

According to this report, Capitol Hill gives--

"(h)ealth insurers, drug makers and large employers reasons to heave sighs of relief
sparing them the higher costs and more burdensome rules included in other
Democratic-written alternatives."

Isn't it wonderful that the industry is negotiating with the central government over OUR health? Apparently, you don't get a say about your healthcare. The Fed is only concerned with placating the INDUSTRY!

The plan would add a taxpayer-subsidixed customer base of millions who don't currently have insurance--

"(t)hanks to a mandate that everyone purchase coverage-backed up by steep penalties
on people who don't"

Can anyone explain just where in the United States Constitution it authorizes the Congress to 'force' people to purchase health insurance? And penalties? Isn't it bad enough that everyone will be forced to pay more for premiums, but penalties will be ENFORCED?

Thank goodness the 'industry' is fighting hard and looking out for the consumer because they're concerned about--

"(a) new 35 percent excise tax on high-cost plans and $60 billion in fees, both of
which insurers warn would be passed on to consumers."

Talk about MADNESS! This is the government taxing ITSELF. Think about it. The fees won't be paid by the industry; they'll be paid by the government because they'll be subsidizing the whole thing--which means that, yes, you guessed it---WE PAY--the CONSUMER!!!

Then there's this little item--

"Some businesses would see increased costs under Baucus' plan, and they were
pushing hard to avoid them. Medical device makers would have to pay fees
amounting to $40 billion while clinical laboratories would pay $7.5 billion."

Gee, ya think this might put a crimp in research and development concerning these 'device makers'? But let's just assume that they go for this plan. Once again--who pays? WE DO--THE TAXPAYER.

This whole discussion is insane. We, THE CONSUMERS, are the only ones that matter. We, THE CONSUMERS, should be working with healthcare providers to affect the best possible plans and costs. Max Baucus is an idiot. I doubt that he's ever worked for even one day in the private sector. This is the end of the line folks. We need to get out there and let these fools know who's in charge. We need to change things NOW and in 2010. Throw Max Baucus OUT. Throw these big spending Democrat nitwits OUT! Get off the apathetic couch and save your FREEDOM and LIBERTY!

Monday, September 14, 2009

The Pete Morin News Service--Issue #20

News flash from Washington, DC, September 13, 2009---

The United States Constitution is dead. Its bloated remains having been discovered by security personnel at the National Archives on Saturday evening, September 12, 2009 next to the case that held the aged document. An autopsy is expected, but it has been believed that the Constitution expired from an advanced case of bloated irrelevance. Further speculation by informed sources indicate that death may have come on the evening of November 4, 2008. These same sources offer an explanation as to the exact causes and a brief encapsulation will be presented here.

1) Judicial activism--Over the years the Constitution has ingested an inordinate amount of judicial activism which, by itself, would not necessarily cause its demise, but would contribute to a much expanded waistline. Starting with Marbury v. Madison in 1803, Griswold v. Connecticut in 1965 to Roe v. Wade in 1973 the Constitution blithely consumed much more of the peoples freedom than it should have. Impervious to the warnings of conservative scholars, the Constitution consumed more legislative authority than any prudent individual would properly try to do.

2) Imperious Presidents--Abraham Lincoln suspending Habeas Corpus during the Civil War; Franklin Roosevelt and the New Deal legislation during the Great Depression; Harry Truman and his attempt to take over the Steel Industry during the Korean conflict; Dwight Eisenhower and the Federal-Aid Highway Act of the mid fifties. With these and many other examples of absconded power by the executive branch the Constitution walked a crooked path of inebriation.

3) Social Security and Medicare--although these are examples of well intentioned programs meant to alleviate the pain of an economic collapse and an aging population requiring adequate healthcare, the weight of these massive programs caused irreparable harm to the Constitution’s body. Originally set up as a trust fund (and rather low on calories according to FDR), Social Security was nothing more than a transfer tax that would prove to be especially difficult to modify or repeal. In fact the substance of this bill had become so uncorrectable that the Constitution would no longer be able to stand without the aid of a walker. Medicare had also become to large a portion for the Constitution to consume. An ironic twist of Medicare is that scooter chairs are available at no cost to the populace, but the Constitution could not afford one, nor even place its huge frame in the seat of a single chair!

4) The election of Barack Obama--On the night of November 4, 2008, the Constitution walked with great difficulty along the streets of Washington; its breathing labored and its heartbeat irregular. As the final returns came in, it was apparent that the ‘living, breathing’ document that has been an inspiration to so many around the globe for so many years would not last the night. True to that premise, Barack Obama has made sure that all semblance to the original document that has so honored the National Archives with its presence, would expire a quiet, lonely death. When the news reached the new President elect of its death, Obama raised his hand in a toast to the new Democratic Republic and brought forth his brand of nightmarish legislation. From bank bailouts, the automobile industry takeover, to The American Clean Energy and Security Act and the proposed healthcare legislation, Obama had finished the job of extinguishing the last, best hope of mankind for self rule. Couched in new terminology of socialist dreams and Marxist connotation, Obama had laid the Constitution low. Even the leadership of congress heaped a large portion of dietary offal on the bloated body of our once great parchment until, at last, it has been found lifeless and cold.

As stated earlier, the autopsy will be forthcoming, but truth be told, the death of our hallowed United States Constitution begins and ends with us. We the people could not keep it; we could not protect it; we could not preserve it. May the ages judge us harshly. May our posterity wish that we were men of character. THE CONSTITUTION IS DEAD-LONG LIVE THE CONSTITUTION!

The Pete Morin News Service--Editorial #8 (The Real World)

This article first appeared in The American Thinker on September 11, 2009

Is the US Government bankrupt?

Before we continue to debate the merits of any Obama health care plan, we need to consider a few important facts.

By any rational means, we must consider the present condition of our Government's financial situation. An honest look at those finances would have a prudent person conclude that our government is tacitly bankrupt. Our unfunded liabilities far exceed our assets. Adding up all unfunded liabilities for Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid and Government sponsored pension funds gives us a figure slightly in excess of $100 TRILLION dollars. That's TRILLION with a ‘T'. The Federal budget deficit for fiscal 2009 will be approximately $1.84 TRILLION. That's TRILLION with a ‘T'. Over the next ten years the projected deficit will be $9 TRILLION +. That's $100,000,000,000,000.00 -- TRILLION with a ‘T'. Of course, this projected deficit comes from the Congressional Budget Office and has to be considered a conservative estimate. In 1966 the feds estimated that the cost of the Medicare program by 1990 would be approximately $9 billion dollars/year; the actual cost was $67 billion dollars/year.
Several other government programs over the years have proven to be equally underestimated in funding. Amtrak has a yearly budget shortfall of $1 billion dollars. The Postal Service, although deemed a private entity with its pension fund provided by the government, has a $3 billion dollar deficit. And the list goes on and on...

It's time for Americans to realize that the good times have stopped rolling. There may be no return to a robust economy. Our future can take only one of two possible paths; either we accept our unsustainable debt and reduce government spending and taxation accordingly with a structured refinancing of the Federal debt, or face the prospect of a chaotic bankruptcy with a massive collapse of the dollar on the world market followed by a severely reduced standard of living. If it's any indication of the way government has approached past difficulties, I'm betting on the chaotic. Stagflation on a large scale may well make the 1970's look like high times. Job losses that will occur may well make the 1930's look like a picnic.

This brings us to the question of healthcare. Why would anyone with a sound mind want to entrust a bloated, fiscally irresponsible government with the job of restructuring 17% of our economy? The Feds have proven, time and again, that trusting them to run a program based on sound fiscal policy is nearly impossible. Besides restructuring our national debt, we should take the only logical course with respect to healthcare and that would be to reform the private sector by the following means. 1) Allow individuals to purchase insurance across state lines. Congress has the authority through the Commerce Clause to make this happen. Insurance companies may not like this approach since it engenders competition, which will effectively lower the cost of premiums. Isn't this what a free market is supposed to do -- promote competition? 2) Remove as many mandates as possible that now exist at the Federal and State levels. There are, currently, over 2000 mandates for various procedures that insurance companies must comply with. In vitro Fertilization, Erectile Dysfunction, Hair Transplants and other specialized procedures should be left to individuals to decide what they might actually need. Removing these barriers and allowing individuals to design their own policies will be a strong motivator in reducing the costs of an insurance premium. Many other excellent ideas for reform of healthcare, too numerous to mention here, can be found at CAHI.org, The Council for Affordable Health Insurance.
James Madison expresses the government role with respect to its citizens clearly in Federalist 51:

If men were angels, no government would be necessary. If angels were to govern men, neither external nor internal controls on government would be necessary. In framing a government which is to be administered by men over men, the great difficulty lies in this: you must first enable the government to control the governed; and in the next place, oblige it to control itself.
The first part of Madison's quote has been achieved, but obligations concerning government restraint with respect to the populace remain unfulfilled. Was there ever a time when self-control was a mark of our elected officials? I believe there was, but, sadly, we've given in to our own impulse for self-gratification and our representatives have been only too happy to indulge us.

Time is short. Either accept responsibility for our own lives and reduce the role of government in our most important affairs, or a chaotic future with citizen against citizen and neighbor against neighbor will be our fate. Our founders and many great leaders warned us of the dangers of unlimited government; let us be wise enough to heed their words now more than ever.

Friday, September 11, 2009

The Pete Morin News Service--Issue #19

News Flash from Washington, DC—September 11, 2009

The day after President Obama’s speech to a joint session of Congress, Joe Wilson, Republican Congressman from South Carolina, was asked why he yelled ‘liar’ during the President’s speech. Mr. Wilson replied that he could no longer contain himself. “The President was lying about health coverage for illegal aliens. The democratic leadership and the President know that illegal aliens will be covered in the healthcare legislation. Nancy Pelosi told me herself that aliens should be covered. When pressed to explain further she knew that the movie ‘Independence Day’ wasn’t real, but just in case that such an event might occur, she felt it prudent to have the aliens covered.”

Cass Sunstein, who currently is the Administrator of the White House Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs in the Obama administration, has teamed up with Peter Singer, a member of the URDEAD Committee, to present an addendum to the current healthcare legilation that will protect animals under the proposed healthcare bill. “All animals should receive healthcare, not just humans. All too often our furry friends and creepy crawlers are left out concerning adequate healthcare”, reported Mr. Sunstein. Singer and Sunstein are also working with Van Jones to implement animal rights legislation and Jones has even started a class at Yale to address such concerns. PMNS has learned that the new course to be taught at Yale will be called ‘Animals are humans too.’

President Obama has several speeches scheduled in the next few weeks. Apparently, the President is attempting to keep his momentum going forward with respect to healthcare legislation. Besides appearing on 60 Minutes, he will speak at all Washington Nationals baseball games, Washington Wizards basketball games, Washington Capitols hockey games, Washington Redskins football games, all Monday night football games, the World Series, Super Bowl and to anyone else on the planet who has yet to hear him speak. No word as of yet who will offer rebuttal time.

This news clip provided by The Pete Morin News Service

The Pete Morin News Service--Editorial #7(the real world)

The following was published in the Daily Hampshire Gazette, Northampton, MA on 7/7/09


Every June 6th I watch the movie 'Saving Private Ryan'. It's become a custom that I hope will stay with me as long as I live. What could possibly motivate those men to face the withering machine gun and mortar fire on a stretch of beach code named Omaha in Normandy, France? The question is a difficult one, but the answer may not be so. For over two hundred years we've seen and heard of countless acts of bravery and heroism in the heat of battle. Men and women facing almost certain death or horrible wounds so that a belief in something greater than themselves can endure. That belief, that desire, is freedom, The freedom to live your life as you see fit; to enjoy the fruits of your labor for both yourself and your family.
But freedom, the freedom that our Founders bravely articulated so many years ago is fast disappearing. The following demonstrate key elements of our American life style that may soon no longer exist.

Choosing our own healthcare plan: A government run healthcare system will put pressure on private insurers to lower costs which is certainly a desirable result. But ultimately, private insurers will not be able to compete, forcing everyone to join the government plan. Private insurers must be concerned with the bottom line, but government has no such concern. You, the taxpayer, are the bottom line from whence all funding originates. Think medicare, currently near bankruptcy, is working well? Imagine 300 million on medicare. The logical result will be a rationing of care, a disaster for everyone especially the elderly.

The car we want to drive: The Feds now have a controlling interest in GM and Chrysler. Sorry consumer; soon only hybrids and small vehicles will be available. Too bad that you want to drive a more substantial vehicle such as an SUV for safety’s sake. And those car manufacturers that produce SUV’s? Ever heard of a surcharge on purchasing a vehicle the government doesn’t approve of? It’s coming to those manufacturers and consumers who dare flaunt the nanny state.

The American Energy and Security Act: This monstrosity would be better served to be named ‘The American Energy Tax Act’. The act requires all new construction to follow the building code of the State of California. California! Is it really necessary to proscribe these codes on the other 49 states? Both climate and the economic health of all regions of the country vary greatly. I shudder to think of the new added costs in building a home in the very near future not to mention the energy audit that will be performed on all homes, new or old, to be sold. Homes will now be subjected to a new energy rating assessment that could penalize you for older construction, windows, fixtures and appliances. This bill is riddled with favoritism and back room deals. Critics charge all this regulation will have only a negligible effect on CO2 emissions and the loss of jobs in current energy sectors would be substantial.

Is this what our Founding Fathers stood for? Is this what the brave men and women of Lexington and Concord envisioned as our future? The Americans who fought at Belleau Wood and the Ardennes wouldn't think so. Through the steaming jungle at Guadalcanal to the horror of Iwo and Okinawa; to the Marines dragging their frozen comrades from the winter hell of the 'Frozen Chosin'; from the Mekong Delta to the encircled troops at Khe Sanh; from the deserts of Iraq to the mountains of Afghanistan these brave Americans fight not just for survival, but for the cherished belief in the freedom of their countrymen and the idea that nothing is more important than 'life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness'. They didn't fight for people to just have the right to vote, but to know and understand what they were voting for.

Today our leaders tell us there's a new way to live that avoids all the failed ways of the past. Surrender our individuality, become a servant of the state and look forward to a bright future collectively. Even though this method has been tried countless times before with very little success our new leaders will exhort us to move forward. They will tell us the free market has shown that it has reached its limits and must now be discarded. Government, large and powerful will provide all our needs. What more could be so inspiring, so audacious, so hopeful!
No, I don't think those who gave their all throughout our history would be so enthusiastic, nor do I think they would be just looking forward to an improvement in our condition; they would be stunned, ashamed and dismayed at our surrender and capitulation to the altar of socialism. Call it by any other name, but it is still the same; a rejection of our sovereignty and a cowardice beyond description and a rejection of our personal responsibility to improve our own lives.

Obviously, you could point to the necessity for us, as concerned citizens, to change the way we use energy and the methods we use for transporting ourselves and manufactured goods. The real question is--should it be done by government mandate or through the use of the free market? I believe the marketplace is more beneficial to the betterment of society. Government has shown a propensity to reward favored parties and punish those that reject its mandates. Personal freedom is inhibited rather than advanced with government intervention. The classical interpretation of socialism is that the economic means of production are run by the state. Our financial, automotive, and healthcare systems are close to being there.

Two of the greatest documents ever devised by man should remind us of the difficulty in securing freedom and how easily it can slip away should we not guard against its demise through apathy or false promises. The Constitution outlined the powers of limited government and Thomas Jefferson reminds us in the Declaration of Independence that to support freedom the founders must "support to each other our lives, our fortunes and our sacred honor". Let us hope that we have enough honor to support freedom lest this great country and the ideals it represents become a footnote in history.

Thursday, September 10, 2009

The Pete Morin News Service---Issue #18

News Flash from Washington, DC—September 10, 2009

President Obama’s address to a joint session of Congress was received well by those looking for a public option in any legislation that will be passed in the coming months. Tears streamed down Nancy Pelosi’s face as she listened intently to the President’s speech. “What a wonderful speaker”, exclaimed Pelosi. “He’s finally brought relief for millions of Americans suffering under the boot heels of those greedy, immoral insurance companies.” Asked how the government could afford the cost of the proposed plan Pelosi responded, “it’s only 900 billion dollars over ten years. The Treasury should be able to print 900 Obama bills in no time at all.”

Meanwhile, Van Jones has already taken up his new position at Yale Law School and has announced a new curriculum for incoming law students. According to the school administration students will no longer be required to study case law. The new requirements will be two semesters of Saul Alinsky’s ‘Rules for Radicals’, Howard Zinn’s ‘A People’s History of the United States' and ‘Das Capital’ by Karl Marx. An additional two semesters will be spent identifying ‘white polluters’ in and around the New Haven community. Students will then be given their law degrees and will referred to as ‘Green Leaders for Oppressed Peoples’ (GLOP).

Al Franken is now the chairman of the Universal Resource Department for the Efficient Allocation of Doctors (URDEAD). He’s been charged to immediately implement plans for a smooth transaction to a government run healthcare plan. Franken issued a directive that all doctors must read and apply to their practice’s as soon as possible:

“With the addition of 47 million new patients you may find that 24 hours in a day is not enough time to treat all cases. In order to assist you in handling all these new responsibilities, the government, with the assistance of the URDEAD Committee, is revising the length of a day from 24 hours to 28 hours. This will not only allow you to treat all your patients properly but give you an additional one hour of sleep so that you will be fresh and alert to your duties.”

No response yet has been heard from the American Medical Association or its’ members with respect to the new 28 hour day, but John Dingell, Congressman from Michigan, was ecstatic about the new program. “This new program will help all Americans get the healthcare they need and it’ll extend my time in Congress!”

This news clip provided by the Pete Morin News Service

Monday, September 7, 2009

The Pete Morin News Service--Issue #17

News Flash from Washington, DC--September 7, 2009

The President is going over the final draft of his speech to be given to Congress on Wednesday evening and according to sources close to the President, a tip off as to whether he'll support a public option will be given during the speech. Apparently, if the President intends to include the public option in the healthcare legislation he will look more often, and read from, his left teleprompter. If he favors leaving out the public option he'll look to the right teleprompter. David Alexrod has intimated that all this will depend on whether or not all the sand has been removed from the left teleprompter; the left teleprompter having been damaged on the beach during the President's vacation.

Van Jones is officially out as the President's special Czar for Green Jobs. Evidently, the president was unaware that Jones was a 911 'truther' and somewhat radical on his views toward social justice and 'white polluters'. His references to Republicans as being 'A--Holes' was also somewhat contentious. The President appeared truly perplexed as to why he should have to ask for Jones's resignation. "I thought he would do a great job in providing green jobs to everyone and really take our country forward on a path to social justice by redistributing everyone's wealth. I was looking forward to nominating him to the Supreme Court when the next vacancy appeared." Jones has already been offered the position of Dean of the Yale Law School. He's expected to replace the outmoded idea of 'legal positivism' with 'green positivism.'

The President's message to school children will take place on Tuesday, September 8th and PMNS has learned some of the text of the speech. Evidently, the President will ask all children to march in a protest on Washington called the 'SCHIP BRIGADE". He'll also request children to report on their parents if they hear anything that might be considered 'fishy' about opposition to his healthcare legislation. John Dingell, Congressman from Michigan, was enthusiastic about the speech. "This is a great program for our future leaders. They can learn about their benevolent government and we can get some good fishy info from A--hole Republican parents," said Dingell.

Nancy Pelosi has returned from the August recess looking tan and relaxed as she debarked from her private jet. She was asked where she had been and what she had learned during the recess. "I've learned that everyone wants a public option in our healthcare legislation; that everyone wants to pay next to nothing for a premium; and that everyone loves Barack Obama, Harry Reid, Henry Waxman and yours truly. Also-"Republicans are A--holes." PMNS has learned that Pelosi was in Monaco visiting a plastic surgeon where nose reduction surgery took place.

This news clip provided by the Pete Morin News Service

Sunday, September 6, 2009

The Pete Morin News Service Editorial #6 (The real world)

The Hypocrisy of politicians seems never to disappoint us with the following quote from Sen. Ben Nelson (D) of Nebraska. “If somehow the private market doesn’t respond the way it’s supposed to, then it would trigger a public option, or a government run option.” He indicated the government option would only be rolled out after a few years if private insurers failed to increase competition and restrain costs. Senator Nelson is referring to the contentious healthcare legislation working its way through congress.

Let’s see if I’ve got this right. Senator Nelson belongs to an organization that has all the integrity of rotten fruit. Since when has our wonderful US Government EVER lived up to commitments in a timely manner, or provided any program on time and ON BUDGET? Since when have our esteemed representatives forced the behemoth that is the Federal Government to restrain itself from delving into our wallets with a rapaciousness that would make a great white shark blush! And he has the unmitigated gall to criticize the free market for any possible failing that might come along. Don’t think for a moment that if given a chance to rig the deck that the government won’t do so to trigger a, so called, ‘public option’. Trust is not the first sentiment that comes to mind when dealing with these underhanded swine.

The government, and those who support this public option, need to be marginalized; to be sent to the corner with a dunce cap and treated as the pinheaded little miscreants that they are. Our Federal Government is run by a bunch of elitist contemptible fools. I can only hope that enough level headed voters can see through their filthy con game and throw this stinking garbage and its messenger into a landfill where they belong come 2010. Wake up America, before it’s too late! Our freedom and liberty are not worth giving up for this crowd.

The opinions expressed are not necessarily those of the Pete Morin News Service

Tuesday, September 1, 2009

The Pete Morin News Service--Editorial #5(The Real World)

The Following first appeared as a blog in The American Thinker on September 1, 2009


A Fiat People

Ask ten people what they consider constitutes wealth and nine will, as likely or not, tell you how much money a person has accumulated. Such a great misunderstanding of what wealth is has led us to a point in our history of near bankruptcy.

Wealth is not hard currency, or the accumulation thereof; it is the ability of a people to produce that which is desirable. In other words it is the ability to have our needs fulfilled; to produce what others need and for others to produce what we need. Today we produce less than we have ever done in our history. The great engines of production can now be found in such heretofore unlikely places as Japan, Taiwan, South Korea, India and China. Where is America headed and how did we arrive at where we are today.

Creating wealth doesn’t happen in a vacuum. Economic freedom is a motivator that propels a people and a nation to attain greatness, but it cannot be properly viewed without its companion twin; political freedom. The two go hand in hand. When one is restrained or corrupted, the other suffers equally. The former Soviet Union learned this very hard lesson; it corrupted its political system to such an extent that the people simply gave up trying to better themselves. Most of their production went to military uses and citizens found themselves without any motivator that enabled them to be productive. The final collapse in 1991 came seventy years later than it should have.

The United States is simply following the same failed path, but in reverse. Our leaders today are bent on reducing our productive capabilities with arcane and useless legislation with the promise that the future will be better than that which we once had. Empowering various Federal Agencies with backdoor rules and regulations on our economy, we hamstring our most productive entities. The creation of these stifling bureaucracies adds nothing to the Gross National Product and, ultimately, reduces our economic freedom. A lessened economic freedom will lead to a lessened political freedom. The twin forces that made America the ’Arsenal of Democracy’ during the second world war will hasten our demise to an afterthought on the world stage.

The heading of this article ‘A Fiat People’ is where we find ourselves ; a people enamored with past material success, but looking now at a currency that becomes less and less valuable with every passing day. Fiat money is that which is provided by a government that does not encourage its producers to create wealth for the populace. It backs its paper money with neither gold nor silver nor the hope of economic rewards, but with only the threats of confiscatory policy. A fiat people trust a government to give them what they want; the true producers vilified as greedy, contemptible swine to be viewed as an anachronism against the all powerful state.

There may be a line drawn through the history of mankind beyond which there will be no return to the freedoms we once knew. We may have crossed that line, but I hope not. Our choice should be to be a productive people, not a fiat people.