Congress gets one right.

.
Okay, a little politics here...  Yesterday, The US Senate took one small step towards sanity by repealing the 1099 fiasco provision of the even bigger fiasco, lovingly known as Obamacare.


You have to get deep in the story before you actually find that The Senate voted 87 - 12 to repeal one of the many retarded aspects of the overall retarded package.  If you were not familiar with this, Obamacare has a provision that requires small businesses to 1099 any vendor that they do more than $600 worth of business with in their tax year.


Even though I have a day job, I still operate a small business.  And, like hundreds of thousands of small/tiny businesses across the nation, I was dreading this.  There are several vendors that I spend a great deal more than that with in a year.  And, I have many dozens of customers that spend more than that with me.


In fact, I had already been notified by my online credit card processing company "FirstData," that due to the new regulations, I would be receiving a 1099 for all the gross receipts that they process for me.  So, after I received this notice, I began to scratch my head, wondering if the customers that use our online ordering system would ALSO be 1099ing me.


Example:  (Using round numbers here)  Say I do $100,000 a year in online sales.  Okay, I get a 1099 from FirstData for $100,000.  Okay...  But, within that $100,000, say I have 20 customers that order online for resale in their businesses in excess of $600 annually.  Say those 20 customers purchase $50,000 in product total in a year.  As I understand the law, they would be required to 1099 me also.

My gross income would show to be 50% more than it actually was, and I'd have to back out totals, customer by customer before reporting.  And, then probably get audited.  Again.


I was looking at an accounting nightmare come next April.  Now, larger businesses with offices filled with number crunchers, and accounting clerks probably can just push a couple of buttons and mark it DONE.  But, not so for the hundreds of thousands of us average Joes, that would be forced to wade through stacks of digits just to be able to accurately report final profit/income.

Foolishness like this is one reason that I am a true believer in a national consumption tax, and for scrapping the tax code period.  Billions and billions of dollars would be saved annually (but this is not about that).


Congress got this one right.  Thanks.


Now get busy, and scrap the rest of that crappy legislation the dimocraps rammed down our throats.

And, oh yeah...here's a picture I stole off Pseudo.

That's all. 

Andy does his Glenn Reynolds impersonation... #18

Obamacare "Seuss-ified."


Obamacare "Seuss-ified."

Senator Harry Reid (D-NV) is quite the gentleman! He is also an ethical "role model" for young people. And, "obviously," the most astute Senate Majority Leader in US History!

I have been reading many blogs over the last few days that are decrying all of the personal attacks (from both the left and right) during this highly charged time in our nation's history.  I must say that I do feel quite a bit of shame upon myself!  I have recently  fallen into the un-Christian trap of being WAY TOO uncivil, and all.  Crud...

So, I decided that I'd just look for all of the good qualities in folks that I disagree with politically.  And, I'll tell ya'...they've got some REALLY GOOD PERSONAL upsides.  Heck, even the Okie Senator, Tom Coburn has called for a return to niceness.  And, he's an Okie...

President Obama (D-Kenya) has got one bitchin' fastball!  Heck, I think he might one day replace Carlton in baseball lore...I mean, there's only THE ONE "Lefty."

Speaker of The House of Representatives, Nancy Pelosi (D-San Francisco) obviously does not have a weight problem.  Good on her for being all self-controlled, and all!

But, I'll have to admit that Senator Harry Reid (D-NV) has been the toughest challenge within my spirit to love.  Seriously!  I mean, I know that Jesus died for him just like He did for me and all.  But, when I read this article about how he had made fun of Sarah Palin, it really did kinda fry my backside.

Now, y'all long-time visitors to Andy's Place know that I am not the biggest Sarah Palin fan in these Nyunited States.  I mean, I don't dislike her...but I'm not a true fan like many others on the right are.  And, honestly I know that she has set herself out there as a spokesperson for right-wing ideals and junk...so, she's fair game.

But, she is not an elected official (she was, until she quit), and she does not have a vote in the US Senate, nor is she running against Harry in his miserable little reelection bid.  So, it really did kinda give me a case of the reds to hear that Harry (the genius) picked on the gal.  With all of the Christianity I could muster, I decided that I was gonna find something nice to say about Reid.

He is a financial genius!  Why, he's been able to make a stinkin' fortune through real estate deals in, and around, Lost Wages, Nevada!  I mean, he and his family have (without ANY POLITICAL INFLUENCE at all) been able to live the American Dream of getting filthy rich by hard work.  Every young person in this nation could learn a thing or two from Harry's hard work, and extremely high moral code!

But, I'll confess that it still did REALLY bug me when he said (speaking of the enormous Tea Party held in his backwater, useless hometown of Searchlight, stinkin' Nevada)  "I was going to give a few remarks on the people who were over here a week ago Saturday," Reid said in a video posted by Fox News anchor Greta Van Susteren, "but I couldn't find it written all over my hands. "You betcha..." 

After all, this is the guy that voted "NO!" on his own Health Care Deform legislation, due to the fact that he is certainly mentally retarded, and can't remember what to write on his own hand.  And, it really ticked me off that he'd pick on somebody just because they scribbled notes in the palm of their hand. 

Ya' know, it's really nothing "new" for Harry to go after private citizens.  I mean, this is the guy that for the first time in the history of the US Senate sought to encourage other Senators to sign an open letter of protest against a private US citizen in hopes for said citizen to lose the support of his employer (The Rush Limbaugh letter dealie).  So, it doesn't surprise me at all that he went after Sarah Palin in a moment of humor.  After all, he's a really funny, light-hearted, happy-go-lucky deep well of funniness, and good nature!

 See!  Just as fun as a barrel of monkeys, or somethin' !

 So, I'll go ahead on and say something nice about him (in the spirit of civility).  Harry, I truly appreciate the wise leadership, and love you've shown for our nation as leader of The US Senate.  I truly do.  So...

Back at ya' !

It may be too late to do anything about it...

...but it's time to post something again.

Hey y'all!  Hugs, kisses, yada yada yada...

I got into a several days long back and forth on another blog with the author of a piece that is quite disappointed in the recently passed Health Care Deform bill.  I don't want to incorrectly characterize the post, but the blogger thinks the whole thing is a piece of crap because it accomplishes very little, and only enriches Insurance Companies, etc.  The blogger sees it as just a sell-out to the Health Insurance Companies, Drug Companies, etc.  In other words, this blogger opposed the bill for reasons that are (almost) 100% diametrically opposed to my reasons.  But, we had a good, civil, informative discussion over the course of a few days.

Points were made, and considered.  It is interesting to be able to discuss opposing views without any personal barbs, or heated dislike of the other.  Actually, I like this particular blogger.  I don't agree with much posted, but I don't find the tone to be like so much I read from the left.

Regardless, as I was winding down on my end with anything of value to say, I remembered a post that I had done a long time ago.  It was not original work, so it's pretty interesting.  This is a fairly long piece, but worth a read.  As the title of this post indicates, it may be too late to do anything about it now.  But, the information here is eye-opening.  This was originally posted on August 14, 2009.

Report From Germany
From RK Maddock Jr., MD FACP, Area Medical Advisor Europe Central, LDS Church.

For the past year I have been serving the LDS Missionaries in Central Europe and Scandinavia. The scope of my direct responsibility includes: Central Europe up to the Ukrainian and Russian borders. My supervisory responsibilities include the rest of Western Europe and Cape Verde. In this region are 4000 young LDS missionaries, about 300 senior missionaries and other support staff. My medical background in the U.S. began in 1962 and has included advanced training, academic medicine, private practice and about 25 years of experience in the insurance review industry. In Frankfurt, Germany where we are located I can see CNN and BBC news on TV and hear WABC New York City on my computers. I have listened with morbid fascination as various politicians have spouted off about reforms needed in the U.S. for “health care”, newspeak for medical care.

Even with its flaws – mostly government imposed – our medical care system has been the best in the world, but under the onslaught of Government interference and regulation, a complex insurance system (mostly Government mandated) and assaults by our legal system it is losing much of its luster. This may surprise you, but the German private system is superior. Notice, I did not say “public system.” I can get anything here for 1/3 the price or less and I can get it on a moment’s notice. Yes, I have to pay for it at the time of service, but the fee is equivalent to what most of us would recognize as” co-pay.”

I have had a chance to see European government medical planning first hand. Germany probably has the best of all the social systems, but that is because 50% of the care is done in the private system. There are two basic differences between the German private system and the U.S. On the private side it is against the law for a physician or institutions to accept “insurance assignment of benefits.” That means no direct third party or insurance company payment to “providers.” It also means no HMOs. The second that affects both private and public system is a legal tort system of “loser pays.” combination of these two plus the high degree of private practice allows for a “free market” in medical pricing. How do the doctors do? Very well – they don’t have 60+% overhead expenses, most of which in the U.S. is caused by the complexities of our payment systems and the horrific medical mal-practice expenses. I am finding out that what we pay for in the U.S. as “medical care” is in fact “insurance care” and “legal care.”

It is one of the biggest rip-offs that have ever been devised. takes a lot of big buildings, CEOs, and armies of paper pushers just to manage your money and when you look at the government side, you have a Ponzi scheme.

In the U.S, prices in medicine have been under government control since the early 1970s. In insurance terms it is called “usual, customary and reasonable.” As a result, the prices are as much as 10 times lower here in Germany and physicians make a good living because they do not have to contend with 60%+ overhead that we do in the States. In the States you find a bunch of “patrician” specialties such as “cardiology” next to a bunch of “helot” specialties such as “pediatrics.” It is amazing what happens when the “market” is permitted to operate in medicine.

Several examples should show the difference. I had a senior missionary from the U.S. come into my office one morning about 6 months ago complaining of chest pain. I sent him immediately to the Johan Wolfgang Goethe University Hospital 60528 Niederrad, Frankfurt am Main, Germany. This is a huge teaching hospital and clinic complex occupying 1.5 k x 0.5 k of space and includes over 95 buildings, many which house specialty surgical and medical units. He was seen in the ER, admitted to the cardiology service, a heart attack was ruled out that day. The next day he had a number of tests that determined he was having myocardial ischemic attacks. That afternoon he went to the cath-lab where they discovered a blocked stent. The cardiologists fixed it by first removing the clot, dilating the old stent and placing a new one inside it. He was discharged the following day and has been well ever since. I shudder to think of what that would have cost in the U.S. The total bill – hospital, physicians, various lab technologies – the “whole boat” - 1800€ ($2600). I know, we pay and approve the bills.

A missionary was admitted to the University Medical Center with viral meningitis, he was hospitalized in the neurology unit for 7 days and in bacterial isolation for 5. He was seen by various specialists, had two spinal taps, an MRI of the brain, numerous lab studies. The entire bill, physicians, tests, imaging studies, hospitalization - 2600€ ($3700).

A missionary is admitted following a hit and run auto pedestrian accident. He had been flipped on the hood of the car traveling about 40k/hr, smacked his head against the windshield and was carried 30 m before he dropped onto the roadway. He was found to have a depressed skull fracture, fractured zygomatic arches, two maxillary fractures, fractures of the bases of both orbits and a broken nose and a defect in his IV cranial nerve on the left. In Romania where the accident had occurred, they missed everything but the broken nose. He was hospitalized in the Goethe University Medical Center in the orthopedic plastic surgery section for 10 days. He had a complex 6-hour surgical repair of his facial and orbital fractures. He was seen by a number of specialties including ophthalmology, he received a thorough ophthalmoscopic evaluation, two CT scans, IV antibiotics, a trip back to surgery to stop some nasal bleeding – total bill, the whole 9 yards - 7800€ ($11, 143). Try to get this in the States for under $50,000.

Here are some comparisons of x-ray studies: plain x-ray 35-75€ ($50-107), CT scan 300-400€ ($428-572), MRI scan 400-700€ ($572-1000). However this includes the x-ray, a sit down consultation with the radiologist reviewing the x-rays with you, a copy of the x-rays plus DVD when necessary, a typed signed report as you walk out the door and pay your bill and consultation with your physician with report to him. The physicians speak English. An MRI of the brain will take about 1-½ hours and can be set up in less than 24 hours on the private side. [These prices and practices are those found at Gemeinschaftspraxis Radiologie & Nuklearmedizin‎ 191 Mainzer Landstrasse, 60327 Frankfurt.] Their equipment is all digital and state of the art. The place is busy, clean, and complete with fish tank in the central waiting room, and works well into the evening hours. Parking is free.

Medicines here include almost everything you can get in the U.S. My Januvia that costs $5.50 per tablet when purchased in lots of 100 in the US (Costco) is $1.55 each here. This is typical of many prescription drugs. But all is not sweetness and light. If I purchase over-the-counter medicine in the U.S. like aspirin it is pennies to a few cents per pill, but here I paid 15€ for 40 aspirin tablets. Physician credentialing that we take for granted in the U.S. is non-existent in Europe. Consequently there are lots of quacks. The best way to avoid them is to go to a university medical center where only western style physicians are trained or have personal professional knowledge about them otherwise the system is “caveat emptor” – let the buyer beware.

If you want reform that works in the U.S., get the government completely out of medicine. Yes, there can be a safety net for those who truly cannot afford care. There is one here in Germany. All Germans have a Euro medical card. It is good in all EU countries. This allows complete freedom of choice wherever there is a private system. If you’ve got the card, you can get medical care anywhere within the EU – free of charge. However, there are problems –“queue-up and wait” and a “preferred provider” who may not be the best or even competent. However, you can get the “RED CARPET” treatment in the private system and pay cash. In Germany 50% elect the private system. In the government system, the government sets the price based on the private system prices. The physicians will go out on strike – “legally” – if the government does not keep the technology up to snuff for the public patients. If you see a government patient, you submit the bill electronically and the government bank transfers the money within seconds to your bank account. There is no wait and no hassle at the point of service. However, if they catch you up-coding or otherwise cheating the system such as giving a patient a paid bill when it has not been paid – and they do check – you lose your license FOREVER and you GO TO JAIL. There is no appeal, no lawyers, no courts no bribes. Consequently the physicians are very careful about this. Medical malpractice suits exist here, but it is relatively rare. If you bring a frivolous suit, you pay if you lose and that includes all the defendant’s expenses. Here are some mal-practice premium costs – orthopedic resident in training - 1000€/yr; orthopedic surgeon - 3000€/yr; OBGYN - 5000€/yr.

If you go to the private system, you are expected to pay CASH NOW. This can be in Euros or a German bank debit card. No foreign cards, especially credit cards or personal checks are accepted. If you have personal medical insurance, you submit the paid bill to your insurance company and they reimburse you on a scheduled basis. Insurance companies compete for your business by rapidity of reimbursement. This same payment attitude is true of most transactions except in the purchase of large items like houses, property or automobiles. People pay cash for large appliances and consequently there is little personal indebtedness when compared to the U.S.

There are other countries that have social systems. Most of them are either severely degraded or substandard, like the Italian, Spanish and Portuguese Systems. However, within these, you can find a few clinics and hospitals that meet U.S. standards. The UK – don’t even go there – the system is in chaos. It is running out of money and horribly flawed, the wait to see specialists and get imaging studies is measured in half years. You can get fairly rapid “Mommie care,” but not complex diagnostics. Recently the public outcry was so great about getting an appointment to see your designated general physician that National Health Service put out a decree requiring the general practitioners to see all cases within 48 hours of the phone call. The GPs responded by switching off their telephones.

In Sweden, Denmark, Finland etc there is a long “queue-up and wait” in the public system and the taxes have pauperized the citizens to the point that many cannot afford the smaller private systems where they exist. In the eastern areas, the systems are coming out of complete devastation and are so substandard as to be dangerous. Much as Canadians come to the U.S. for their care, we see people from England going to France and people from Scandinavia coming to Germany.

My advice to all physicians and those likely to use our medical care system in the U.S. is that you jump into this fray with all your might and make sure you know what is at stake. Do not let the Government take over medicine with any fixes other than stopping all 3rd party payments to physicians, hospitals and clinics, making medical insurance only for individuals – not businesses, unions or large groups, and creating a loser pays legal system. Your children will curse you with their last breath if you do not resist what is going on with all your might.

Just a quick observation by The Mrs.

We were watching a local news report featuring the owner of a tanning salon in the area.

She was ticked off that her industry (mostly female owned), and her customers (mostly female) were being hit with a 10% tax by the new Health Care Deform bill that ObozO just signed.  If you think about it, it does unfairly target women...especially white women.  I mean, I don't reckon there are many black, or Hispanic gals that hit the tanning beds.

I guess I had missed this, but the report said the "tanning tax" had replaced the "cosmetic surgery tax" that was in the original bill.  Sure enough, it did.  (btw, the link is worth hitting just for the "view."  Just sayin'...

The Mrs. observed, "Well of course!  Nancy Pelosi and those ugly skag Democrats don't want to pay taxes on their Botox, or face lifts."

Thursday Junk...

Hey y'all!  Hugs, kisses, yada yada yada...

I'm in a foul mood this morning.  I had a terrible night sleep last night.  Yesterday I walked outside, and I was minding my own business...just enjoying the beautiful day.  And would you believe that in the first two seconds outside, something blew into my right eye?  It did.  Some little speck of Springtime (I still don't know what) attacked my eyeball.

Don't you hate it when that happens?  Man, I did everything to get that little speck out...irrigated it, turned my eyelids inside out...nothing!  So, I suffered yesterday with that eye weeping, and my right sinus matching it step for step.  Don't you hate it when that happens?  By last night, it felt better, but I was still uncomfortable all night.  Tossing, turning, you know the drill.  Oh well, it's feeling better this morning, but I'm still ticked.

So, what have we got this morning?  A couple of things.

First off, the Louisiana Secretary of Health and Hospitals, Alan Levine, did an excellent interview on Fox Business News, explaining the effects of Obamacare on The States, and Louisiana's participation in lawsuits with other AGs going forward.  It really is worth a watch.

Secondly, I've got to post this photo.  Sorry...I couldn't wait until next Humpday.

You've seen it all over the net, but this is one of the "free speech" advocates that protested Ann Coulter in Canada, effectively shutting down Ann's lecture. I had linked to an article earlier that incorrectly identified the woman in the picture, and listed her occupation as a librarian.  My apologies.  Regardless, the pictures, and videos were quite telling of just how "tolerant" the left is of opposing opinions. 


ThisDay Trivia reminds us of a couple of anniversaries.  On March 25, 1993, Dave Thomas got his GED.  America!  What a country, huh?  Guy becomes a smashing success, and never graduated high school.  He was one of the good guys!  R.I.P. Dave...

In 1807, the British Parliament outlawed slavery.  And, in 1863, the first Medal of Honor was awarded to Private Jacob Parrott, of the Ohio Infantry.  And, both Anita Bryant, and Gloria Steinam were born on this date.  Weird, huh?

Well, I don't really have much, being in a foul mood and all.  But maybe I'll be more chipper tomorrow.  Oh yeah, here's some wisdom, from the Computer Mail Box.

Some wisdom from Cletus...

"Limit all U.S. Politicians to two terms.

One in office.

One in prison."

(Illinois already does this.)
 

Well look, y'all have a blessed day, okay? I love y'all. I mean it! Even though I'm in a foul mood, and my eye's bothering me and all...

Obama Signs Health Care Deform Into Law...

Yep, he did.  And he's just as happy as a pig in slop.

I don't really have anything to say about it.  I just wanted to chronicle it so I could remember what day ObozO snuffed out a Camel in the eye of liberty.

(Plus, I had this really cool .gif file I wanted to use.)