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The haves should help the have-nots


Tuesday, November 17, 2009 6:13 AM PST

I would like to thank Corey Colla for his column regarding health care reform. It was very insightful and on the money.

Universal health care works in England, Canada, Italy, France, etc., to the point — most of the developed nations of the world.

I would like Stanley Taves to define "productive class" and "non-productive class." I assume by non-productive he means the working poor. I've had a job since I was 12 and retired from the lab at GMI in 2005. My medical premium just increased by $68 per month for the General Mills Retiree Health plan. My total monthly premium for health care now totals $1,216 per month. My part of the premium is $595 per month, which amounts to about half my monthly pension check. What class do I belong in, Stanley?

In regards to President Obama's health care plan, I guess Mr. Taves swallowed all the Kool-Aid offered by the Republicans and their masters. I remember the deficit well. George W. Bush added almost one trillion dollars during his disastrous eight years as president. Most of this deficit resulted from his administration conducting an unnecessary war in Iraq, while neglecting an important war of necessity against real terrorists in Afghanistan. Taves seems to have swallowed the lie of WMDs hook, line and sinker.

I believe it's the moral obligation of the haves to help the have-nots. Most polls show that 65 percent of the American people favor some type of public option — single payer, co-op with a trigger, etc. I would be proud to pay a little extra to those in need, because that is real patriotism and national security.

President Obama is not a socialist, he is a capitalist. I am a Democratic Socialist and darn proud of it. Some of our most loyal, trusted allies are democratic socialist republics. Socialism does not equal Communism. Learn to use your dictionary, Mr. Taves, you might just learn something.

I believe there is a malignancy in the Republican Party which is to say "no" to any proposal. And what is their health care plan? Status quo is their plan.

I'm a Catholic but do not practice my faith. That being said, whose side would Jesus Christ take? Not the fat-cat health insurance industry, but the have-nots. Power to the people, even the poor ones!

Frank Caruso
Lodi

Reader Feedback

edumacation wrote on Nov 24, 2009 9:00 PM:

" And my Thanksgiviig toast dear brothas and sistas for out observance of Mbuti is:

MBONGE EZINGISAKA MPISI TE PO EBALE EZA MBOKA NAYE, NGAMONI BOLINGO EZA LISUSU NGAI TE, TALA EKOMI KOZINGISAKA NGAI LISUSU-

"...water doesn't confuse fish for water is its home, but as for me now i know that LOVE is not meant for me, look at how it is confusing me...."

Go Barry Obongo go!

From a VEGAN turkey day to KWANZAA , PASS the tofu. "

rantraves wrote on Nov 24, 2009 4:50 PM:

" C'mon Lodian... you know that was funny! "

Lodian wrote on Nov 24, 2009 2:15 PM:

" edumacation: Have some eggnog. "

edumacation wrote on Nov 24, 2009 1:48 PM:

" Sparky: Have heard of the church of the HOLY OBAMA?


Oh yeah. It a cross between Reverend Ike, Reverend Wright, Louis Farrakhan, the Rev-er-end Jesse Jackson, and Reverend Creflo Dollar.

In only a few weeks we will celebrate with our glorious President Barack Hossein Sotelo Obama, as he lights the Black, Red and Green candles of the holy Kwanzaa Kinara.

The Nguzo saba, Mkeka, kikombe cha umoja, Mazao, Kinara, Muhindi, Mishuma Saba, and of course the Zawadi.

I can hardly wait to experience this one!


Kwanzaa yenu iwe na heri!! "

edumacation wrote on Nov 24, 2009 1:34 PM:

" The caption on this story should really have been:


People who work should pay for those who refuse to work.

Or short title in newspaper speak"

"The workers should support the "NOT-workers"

Why not work and sweat and if you make a profit give it to the lazy and jealous.

I know an immigrant for the former Soviet Union who told me that he has seen this road before---and thats why he left mother Russia. He sees Obama=Soviet premier. All talk and threats, but NO PRODUCTION.


"..From each to her abilites to each for her needs.." I see a lot of fatties whining about how other people have more. Try working for success, instead of whining about your failures. "

rantraves wrote on Nov 24, 2009 11:47 AM:

" ...All good analysis. Might I add that the intellectuals that come up with this insanity are inferior competitors in the "free market". Their solution? take the "free" out of the market. The unintended consiquence, of course, is that everyone gets poor; even those genious intellectuals -- I guess they don't care as long as "they" get to be 1st in line. "

Robb wrote on Nov 24, 2009 11:31 AM:

" Most of the "have nots" are there by choice, and or laziness..
They are on their own.. "

sparky595 wrote on Nov 24, 2009 6:38 AM:

" Sportsguru, don't you know that the government knows best for us. We are all ignorant peasants that cannot function properly unless obama tells us what to do. Soon, we will all have ObamaTV so we can have him guide us through our daily lives. Wake up and turn on the tv (no need to change the channel, they are all tuned to ObamaTV).

You will start your day with a salute while listening to the National Obama Anthem.
You will then take a family group shower (to save water).
You will then have breakfast (designed by the government health advisory board).
You will then go to the government agency that you work at (close to your govt. housing development so that no pollution pumping cars are needed).
Later in the evening, you will help your child (only one will be allowed per family, thanks Cass Sunstein) with his homework. That will consist of American History beginning in 2008 (previous history will no longer be relevant), and rehersals of the latest school songs praising obama. "

SportsGuru wrote on Nov 23, 2009 11:15 AM:

" .
Should the HAVE'S help the HAVE NOT'S by their own free will, or should the Obama Administration REQUIRE that they help?

Or .. perhaps the Obama admininstration just wants to ENCOURAGE the HAVE'S to help (maybe through the use of re-education camps??) "

SportsGuru wrote on Nov 23, 2009 11:09 AM:

" .
OMG ... "Universal health care works in England, Canada, Italy, France, etc." Might want to consult with some of the citizens of that country, particulary those Canadians coming across the border to get US Healthcare.

To me, "unproductive class" means "those who aren't working, don't want to work, and never will actually work".... regardless of race, creed, color, religion, social status, or economic status.

There are plenty of rich frat boys out there that would fall under that description (for example) in my book. "

Lodian wrote on Nov 22, 2009 1:16 PM:

" Geez, sparkly, take a breath. "

sparky595 wrote on Nov 21, 2009 6:02 AM:

" The 2 biggest problems for democrats in congress....

1. The Senate dems wants federal $ to pay for abortions, but doesn't want the public option.

2. The House dems wants a public option, but doesn't want federal $ to pay for abortions.

The democrats know that they can't drag any republicans in to vote for this destruction of American freedom. Their problem is they can't even get their own party to come together. They have not needed one single republican in the house or senate to pass this. So, why are they having so much trouble? "

sparky595 wrote on Nov 21, 2009 5:56 AM:

" Many people that post here want obamacare, but haven't really articulated what they believe it will do for America. If you truly want to be informed and understand what is in the 2074 page bill, you will take a look at C-SPAN today. "

sparky595 wrote on Nov 21, 2009 5:48 AM:

" Today, the senate will have discussions about their 2074 page bill. Tonight, they will have a vote to move it to debate. If anyone truly wants to understand this healthcare bill, you will get the popcorn out and watch c-span today. You will hear what is in it and how it will affect you, good and bad, right from the horse's mouth. No propaganda, no spinning, no assumptions, no hearsay, no opinion. Straight facts about the bill and how it is going to affect ALL Americans, presented by the senators who will be voting on it. "

sparky595 wrote on Nov 21, 2009 5:39 AM:

" Obama knows that if he does not get his socialist agenda passed before the 2010 elections, he won't get them. His approval numbers are slipping. Congress' approval is level is an embarrassment. Obamacare has had deadlines of August, October, Thanksgiving, and now Christmas. As each deadline passes, approval for it plummets. It has been exposed as a farce, and obama needs to hurry and ram it through before the American public finds out how damaging it is really going to be. Unemployment is going to spike in Washington next November. "

sparky595 wrote on Nov 21, 2009 5:28 AM:

" There is transparency in the obama administration. It's very transparent that he is trying to shove all of his America killing policies down our throats before the 2010 elections. He knows that his agenda is a radical far left one, and he knows the longer it takes to enact his policies, the more the American public learns about them. The more people become aware of the destruction that his policies will create, the more opposition begins to form.

He doesn't care if he or the dems in congress get re-elected. As long as he gets his socialist agenda through in the first year or two, his job will be done. "

rantraves wrote on Nov 20, 2009 5:11 PM:

" It's a catch-22 Sparky -- they are damned if they do, and damned if they don't. It's like the poker player who sees his chips dwindling away; so instead of regrouping he goes all in with a less than stellar hand. You see... Team Obama won't be able to get another game for who knows how long -- it's called desperation, and it isn't a pretty sight. "

sparky595 wrote on Nov 20, 2009 2:38 PM:

" "WASHINGTON — It's the cost, Mr. President. Americans are worried about hidden costs in the fine print of health care overhaul legislation, an Associated Press poll says. That's creating new challenges for President Barack Obama as he tries to close the deal with a handful of Democratic doubters in the Senate.
Although Americans share a conviction that major health care changes are needed, Democratic bills that extend coverage to the uninsured and try to hold down medical costs get no better than a lukewarm reception.
The poll found that 43 percent oppose the health care plans being discussed in Congress, while 41 percent are in support. An additional 15 percent remain neutral or undecided."

Article:
http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5jLuiHkZh_6jawpShuW9JXGMuMZ1gD9C0RPT81?loc=interstitialskip

That's why they want to pass it NOW. It's losing support from the American public quickly. The real question is, why are they in such a hurry to pass something that only 41% of the recipients to this bill actually want? "

alf wrote on Nov 17, 2009 11:36 PM:

" frankie, why not move to canada, italy, england or france as you think they are so great. it cannot and will not work here. there are just way too many lazy jackasses around here. why not take a look at any public dept. and there you will see many, many people just standing there with their hands out. do they take the time to find a job, no. do they take the time to take care of their family, no. do they take the time to contribute to society, no. it's always 'what's in it for me'. you know it , i know it, the american people know it. parlay vous france? "

Leonard wrote on Nov 17, 2009 5:08 PM:

" "honestly" that is. "

Leonard wrote on Nov 17, 2009 5:08 PM:

" TJ, I have honsetly tried to have a civil discourse with you.

Am I correct in thinking that you simply are not interested in such a discourse? "

Leonard wrote on Nov 17, 2009 5:07 PM:

" t jefferson wrote on Nov 17, 2009 3:33 PM:
" L - save your righteous indignation for the Daily KOS you child.


You just can't have a conversation without calling names, can you?

Now who is the child? "

t jefferson wrote on Nov 17, 2009 3:33 PM:

" L - save your righteous indignation for the Daily KOS you child.

As far as the haves helping the have not's I'm all for it just not at the end of the barrel of a gun, which is what the government is trying to do. "

rantraves wrote on Nov 17, 2009 2:33 PM:

" ...STELLA-A-A-A...STELLA-A-A-A! "

rantraves wrote on Nov 17, 2009 2:28 PM:

" Stella likes you, Frank. "

jbhiker wrote on Nov 17, 2009 9:39 AM:

" Drama Queens and Haters: 6
Normal People: 2 "

stella wrote on Nov 17, 2009 9:07 AM:

" Mr. Caruso, thank you for your well-written and thoughtful letter. "

Rhodie v2.0 wrote on Nov 17, 2009 8:31 AM:

" Frank, if you are so into paying for other people try this for a while, Everywhere you go for the next week pay for the person behind you as well. Their gas, their food, thier coffee, thier goods.

For me Healthcare reform is not about the haves and have-nots but rather the governmental wasted and the wasted-nots. If they don't have my money then they can't waste it. The government is too big to run any program efficiently, I don't mind if they lose money but the goernemntal wastes are not only bleeding our tax dollars but a whole limb has been severed. giving the governement more money to waste is just asking them to start removing another limb.

I've said it before, IF the government were to start acting efficently with what it had thenn I could get behind the healthcare plans, but as it is they are little more than a child at an arcade buring through mom and dad's hard earned money then coming back for more for a different game. "

Jerome R. Kinderman wrote on Nov 17, 2009 8:15 AM:

" Mr. Caruso, most of us are precisely in the "class" where we belong. No one has been guaranteed a financially successful life in the United States. We've only been granted the right to pursue those things we desire for ourselves and those we care about. After lifetimes of hedonistic living, are those who didn't choose wisely as they traveled down their own path to happiness seriously expecting others to pay for it?

We must all either resign ourselves to our respective lots in life; or do whatever it takes to improve it - without this expectation that the government (or our neighbors) are there to provide for us.

Nationalized healthcare is not a right and it should never become one. Yes, for those who "cannot" fend for themselves, they should be able to receive assistance (as I've insisted many times here). But for those who simply allowed their lives to proceed without preparing for the certainty that one day they would become seriously ill, they really do need to figure it out on their own.

Uncaring; unfeeling? Not at all. Personal responsibility seems to have taken a permanent vacation in America. It's time it returned to work. "

jeff wrote on Nov 17, 2009 7:13 AM:

" frustrated, perhaps you're not a "have". "

steve wrote on Nov 17, 2009 7:13 AM:

" Mr. Caruso, you seem to have the Democrat talking points down pretty well, only problem is the American people aren't supporting the public option by 65%, the most recent WaPo/ABC 11/10 poll shows support at 53/43 down from an October 57/40. Support for the Democrat controlled Congress has skyrocketed to 26% as of 11/5. Speaking of "fat cat" insurance industry, they donated more to the Democrats in the 2008 election cycle than to the Republicans, but you knew that already huh??? How's Obama's "capitalistic" stimuli plan working out for ya so far??? "

sparky595 wrote on Nov 17, 2009 7:05 AM:

" Mr. Caruso wrote:

'I believe it's the moral obligation of the haves to help the have-nots.'

That may be so. However, when did the federal government receive the authority and power to enforce morals on the citizens of America?

I help my neighbors, my friends, and my family all of the time, as I am sure most others do. I don't WANT or NEED the government telling ME what they think my moral obligations should be. Washington's morals aren't especially stellar, I might add. "

sparky595 wrote on Nov 17, 2009 6:54 AM:

" Obama wants 'the haves' to pay for the 'have nots' until we are all 'have nots'. The road to socialism. "

sparky595 wrote on Nov 17, 2009 6:53 AM:

" Mr. Caruso wrote:

'I believe there is a malignancy in the Republican Party which is to say "no" to any proposal. And what is their health care plan?'

You really need to stop listening to Nancy Pelosi. There have been numerous proposals and amendments to the DEMOCRATS healthcare plan. The dems have total control of the house and senate. They have not allowed republicans into their closed door meetings the past few weeks as they finalize their bills. Obama has not had 1 republican at the white house to discuss this since April, despite numerous requests from republicans.

The republicans introduced their own healthcare bill and it was voted down by a straight party line vote. The republicans have offered ideas and plans, however, with an overwhelming democrat majority in the house and senate, they have simply been squashed by the party in charge.

You and others can keep spinning and lying about 'keeping the status quo'. Pelosi and Reid are locking all the doors to republicans, and then claiming that they have nothing to offer to healthcare reform. "

Observer wrote on Nov 17, 2009 6:46 AM:

" I have always believed that under the current income tax structure the "haves" have been helping the "have nots".

And Leonard, I agree with your remarks about the "Kool-Aid" references. It's really old. "

sparky595 wrote on Nov 17, 2009 6:42 AM:

" Mr. Caruso wrote:

'I remember the deficit well. George W. Bush added almost one trillion dollars during his disastrous eight years as president.'

So if that was 'disastrous'........

Obama's first year in office --- 1.42 trillion dollar deficit.

Hmmmmmm....What adjective shall we use for that? "

sparky595 wrote on Nov 17, 2009 6:34 AM:

" Mr. Caruso wrote:

'President Obama is not a socialist, he is a capitalist.'

LOL! LOL! LOL! A capitalist? Are you serious? More and more government spending, expansion, and power grabbing. Taking banks over. Taking GM over. Taking healthcare over. A capitalist? LOL! "

sparky595 wrote on Nov 17, 2009 6:29 AM:

" Mr. Caruso wrote:

'Socialism does not equal Communism.'

No, it doesn't. However, it is just 1 or 2 obama policies away.


so·cial·ism (ssh-lzm)
n.
The stage in Marxist-Leninist theory intermediate between capitalism and communism, in which collective ownership of the economy under the dictatorship of the proletariat has not yet been successfully achieved. "

frustrated wrote on Nov 17, 2009 6:27 AM:

" I personality don't mind helping those "who have not" if they are those that have nothing thru no fault of their own. I can not abide supporting lazy people who feel intitled to my hard earned money, will I struggle to make ends meet. I drive a 10 year old car, owe no credit cards,have a house loan and utilities with a median paying job,with that I just have enough for food.It's not just those "that have" that are paying, my taxes keep going up. Has anyone even heard of the monthly cost each of us will be paying for this healthcare plan? "

jbhiker wrote on Nov 17, 2009 5:43 AM:

" I am not sure declaring yourself a Democratic Socialist is a good idea given the inevitable bad results of such governments in History. However, the point here could be stated more simply. America is divided by varying degrees of hate and disrespectful attitude - pure and simple. Those that care more give more. Those that don't, well you have seen their home(s) and read about their gangs. That's right - they are in the same social class. Those with power are using it and that is why they want it - so they can keep it and get more. "

Leonard wrote on Nov 17, 2009 3:50 AM:

" In regards to President Obama's health care plan, I guess Mr. Taves swallowed all the Kool-Aid offered by the Republicans and their masters.

While I don't agree with Stan, I do wish that we all, liberal and conservative alike could stop using this annoying phrase that has been stripped of all meaning by over use. "

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