text:
Title: Senior Business Practice Leader/Associate Vice President
Location: Washington DC
Start Date: As soon as possible
I am recruiting this on behalf of The International Executive Service Corp (IESC), a dynamic not-for-profit organization with a focus on private sector growth. IESC is seeking candidates for a Practice Leader. The organization has experienced rapid and significant growth in the past three years. IESC has grown in revenue from $5 million per year to over $40 million. The range of exciting opportunities continues to increase, and as a result, IESC seeks to identify and hire a strong leader with a commitment to international development.
Candidates will have the capacity and breadth of experience to direct new business opportunities in development areas including, but not limited to, agriculture and agribusiness and public sector capacity building that supports private sector development. We are seeking a well-organized, highly motivated candidate to provide leadership in the development of an emerging IESC Practice Area. The ideal candidate will bring depth of technical experience in one or more of the suggested practice areas, a desire to own and develop his or her own portfolio of programs, and a strong network of development practitioners and firms.
Duties and Responsibilities:
1. Lead the development of a competitive a portfolio, which leverages the organization's overall economic growth experience;
2. Lead IESC's new business efforts including: identification of opportunities, technical proposal writing, identification of personnel, and identification and negotiation with partner organizations;
3. Provide intellectual leadership, technical input and management support for IESC's program implementation efforts;
4. Represent IESC in knowledge sharing of technical innovations and best practices in forums and through special studies that document lessons-learned.
Requisite Qualifications:
- At least 10 years' progressive experience with USAID and/or other multilateral donor programs (required);
- At least 5 years of experience in technical or management capacity with USAID-funded projects is required;
- Understanding of USAID and/or other donor procurement processes and regulations is required.
- Strong writing, quantitative, analytical and research skills.
- Proven ability to manage all aspects of proposal coordination, including liaising with responsible parties for technical, financial and administrative inputs (required);
- Demonstrated experience contributing to winning proposals is required. (experience sought specifically with technical proposals and work plan designs, PMPs etc…)
- Strong technical experience in at least two areas of relevance to IESC. Examples include, but are not limited to: Agriculture and Food SecurityAgribusiness; Public sector capacity building; Enabling environment; SME and agribusiness; access to credit; Women in development; Youth empowerment/entrepreneurship
- Strong organizational, communications, marketing and interpersonal skills.
- Ability to work as part of a team, prioritize work, and handle multiple tasks under tight deadlines.
- Enthusiasm and willingness to take on multiple and varied responsibilities as organizational needs require.
- Fluency in English (required) and at least one other foreign language desirable.
- Cultural understanding and overseas experience in developing countries is highly desirable.
- Willingness to travel approximately 30% of the time and willingness to travel occasionally to Afghanistan (required).
- Advanced degree preferred, in a discipline related to international development or agriculture/agribusiness.
- Applicants must have US citizenship or have an authorization to work in the US (required)
HOW TO APPLY: Please send CV and Cover Letter that clearly shows you meet the required skills/experience of the position and also includes a list of contacts (minimum 3) for references. Send by email to firstname.lastname@example.com with "Senior Business Practice Leader –Washington DC" in the subject line.
Deadline for Applications: February 7, 2013
Thank you for reviewing this position and hope that if this does not match your area of expertise, you will forward to others who may be a good match.
Warm regards,
Linda Aines
Aines International


text:
Jeremy Piven
Born on July 26, 1965, in New York City, as part of an acting clan, actor Jeremy Piven went on to be featured in a diverse array of films such as Say Anything, Bob Roberts, Heat, Kiss the Girls and Cars. Having had a role in Ellen DeGeneres's '90s sitcom, Ellen, and the supernatural Cupid, Piven later found much acclaim as agent Ari Gold on HBO's Entourage, winning three Emmy Awards.
Early Years
Jeremy Samuel Piven was born on July 26, 1965, in New York City. Growing up in the northern Chicago suburb of Evanston, Illinois, Piven attended Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa. Throughout his life, he has been involved with the acclaimed Piven Theatre Workshop, which was founded by his parents, Byrne and Joyce Piven. Jeremy received his comic training as a member of the Second City National Touring Company.
Commercial Success
Jeremy Piven soon moved from theater to the big screen, appearing in small roles in several films, including 1989's Say Anything, 1992's Singles and 1995's Heat. The actor has been most acclaimed, however, for his television work, beginning with HBO's The Larry Sanders Show in 1992 and Ellen in 1995. Around this same time, he starred on and produced the short-lived ABC dramedy Cupid (1998–99).
In 2004, Piven was cast as agent Ari Gold on the hit HBO series Entourage, winning Emmy Awards for his performance as the fast-talking Hollywood agent three years in a row—in 2006, 2007 and 2008.
In December 2008, Piven became the subject of some ridicule for leaving the cast of a Broadway revival of David Mamet's Speed-the-Plow before the end of its run. He was reportedly too ill to perform and was said to be suffering from mercury poisoning—reportedly a result of eating too much sushi. Some did not believe Piven's claims, including playwright David Mamet. Mamet quipped at the time, "My understanding is that he is leaving show business to pursue a career as a thermometer." While the incident may have affected his future on the stage, Piven has remained a popular actor on TV and in film.
In 2009, the actor starred in the big-screen effort The Goods alongside Ed Helms and Ving Rhames.
Life After 'Entourage'
Entourage ended in 2011, after nearly 100 episodes. Not long after, media outlets reported that a movie based on the popular series was in the works.
Piven's later credits include the TV series Mr Selfridge, which premiered in 2013, and the action/science-fiction film Edge of Tomorrow (2014), starring Tom Cruise and Emily Blunt.
Fact Check
We strive for accuracy and fairness. If you see something that doesn't look right, contact us!

subset: commoncrawl


text:
Since I cover the Red Bluff City Council as part of my beat, I try my best to avoid giving my opinion about city-related issues in my weekly column.
But it's without any worry about a knock on my integrity I can say the council lost a good man when Forrest Flynn stepped down from the dais this week.
Having served for the better part of three decades either as a councilman or planning commissioner, Forrest surely cast at least one vote along the way that upset everybody in the city at least once. That happens.
However, Forrest's opinions on individual issues aren't what made him a good public servant - his kindness and fondness for the community is what did.
For a town of 14,000 people Forrest is the perfect ambassador.
I know so from personal experience.
When I moved to Red Bluff I initially lived across the street from him.
As a reporter I felt a little nervous about that situation, I soon learned Forrest could separate politics from neighborly friendliness.
Forrest welcomed me to my new home by taking an interest in me as a person.
He got to know my wife. His dog got to know my dog.
Everytime he saw me he asked how we were doing.
New places only become homes when they are populated by people like Forrest.
I found Forrest to be a friendly face personally, but professionally I found him to be an open and honest public servant.
If I needed additional information or a quote, there was no easier person to contact than Forrest.
Simply open up a phone book, find his number and call him.
More likely or not he answered. If he didn't, he always returned the call promptly.
Forrest had no problem discussing issues some public servants would duck.
He had no ego when it came to pointing out who a more knowledgeable person to talk to might be.
He had no problem trusting I knew the difference between off record background information and quoting him.
The former is key for a reporter to produce his best work.
From covering the council, I found I wasn't the only one Forrest treated with such respect.
Forrest respected opinions, even if they differed from his own.
I witnessed him on countless occasions admitting that someone else's opinion made him reconsider his own.
Forrest always voted for what he thought was in the best interest in the city. He often said so and spent his time on the council standing by that belief.
Forrest cared deeply when residents approached the council with complaints.
Even if limited with what he could do, Forrest never let someone walk away from a meeting with the feeling their complaint had fallen on deaf ears.
That's not to say he solved everything, but he tried.
I never got the feeling Forrest got into politics to be a big wig.
He served term after term more as a liaison between residents and their government.
It's a role he filled well and a void that will be left behind until someone tries to fill the shoes he walked away from Tuesday evening.
Daily News reporter Rich Greene can be reached at 527-2151, ext. 109 on Twitter at @RichGreeneNews or on facebook at facebook.com/richgreenenews, or by email at email@example.com


text:
On this episode of The Young and the Restless, Chelsea wears a floral dress. What in carnation was she thinking telling her money-hungry parents she's engaged to a Newman? Considering their flowery congratulatory speeches and enthusiastic reactions, Chelsea is going to need quite a bit of flower power to deal with what is to come. She may, however, want to nip her gold digging parents in the bud.
Haute Hippie Floral Print Dress
$495.00 at FPStyle.com</p> </p>


text:
U.S. Rep.-Elect Tom Marino, R-Lycoming Township, has landed positions on two key congressional committees.
Marino was notified Wednesday that he will join the U.S. House Homeland Security and Judiciary committees when the 112th Congress convenes next month.
U.S. Rep. Pete King of New York will chair the Committee on Homeland Security which oversees the Department of Homeland Security operations. Chairman of the Judiciary Committee is Rep. Lamar Smith, R-Texas.
Marino said he is pleased and honored to be selected to two committees that are close to his heart and mirror his experience.
"I don't think there is anything more important than to serve on a committee that is dedicated to protecting our people and our land," Marino said. "Our focus not only will be to prevent terrorist attacks but to eliminate the terrorists."
The newly elected congressman from the 10th District believes his legal background, including his prosecutorial work, makes him an ideal match for the Judiciary Committee.
"My 18 years of experience will help me with this committee that writes criminal law, protects the law of the land and strives to keep our children safe," Marino said. "This committee is often referred to as the guardian of the Constitution and I cannot think of a more noble mission."
Marino is one of 10 members of the Judiciary Committee and one of two former U.S. Attorneys assigned to the panel that will focus on strengthening national security, protecting intellectual property, and preventing frivolous lawsuits, according to Chairman-Elect Smith.
Other members of the Judiciary Committee include Rep. Mike Pence, Indiana, who is considered a possible presidential contender, and Rep. Tim Griffin, Arkansas, a freshman who served as U.S. Attorney from the Eastern District of Arkansas. Marino, 58, served as a U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Pennsylvania.
King said the priorities for the Committee on Homeland Security include: stopping the Obama administration's plans to transfer Guantanamo detainees and try them in civilian courts; holding hearings on the plans to close Guantanamo; holding hearings on the attack at Fort Hood; and enacting additional border security legislation to curb illegal immigration.
Source: http://marino.house.gov/press-release/rep-elect-marino-lands-2-key-committees


text:
Windows 10 will support AllJoyn
Microsoft contributes to open source project AllJoyn, MS Open Tech Ensures Interoperability
The .NET Foundation is poised for future growth.
New Projects. New governance model. Check out the latest on the .NET Foundation and join in.
MS Open Tech Delivers new Android and iOS SDKs to access Office 365 services
New SDKs for Android and iOS help developers integrate their offerings with 400 petabytes of data and popular Office 365 services
IntelliJ/Android Studio plugin Connects Android + Java to Office 365 and Azure Services
MS Open Tech's new IntelliJ / Android Studio plugin connects Android Apps and Java Cloud middleware to Office 365 and Azure Services.
HTML5: W3C Charts Course for the Future of the Open Web
Imagine what the Web might (not) have become without standards, and you may understand the need for an open web platform for the future.
ANGLE Available Through Visual Studio OpenGLES2 Templates
Using ANGLE keeps getting easier! The Visual Studio team has taken the Visual Studio project templates found in our GitHub site and integrated them into their new Visual C++ OpenGLES2 Project Template, available for download now. The template is designed to create Visual Studio 2015 projects for multiple platforms using the same OpenGL ES 2.0...
Read More
OpenCV HighGui module available for WinRT
MS Open Tech has just made a new contribution to the OpenCV open source project. It introduces support for Modern Windows of most of the API surface of the highgui module, which is used for quick UI prototyping. The only functionality that was not covered by this contribution was keyboard and mouse events tracking. We...
Read More
Office 365 Open Source plugins for Moodle: getting better all the time
Earlier today we shared the news that the upcoming Cypress release of Open edX, the most popular open source MOOC (massive open online course), will include new features for tighter integration with Office 365. Those features are the result of our open source collaboration with members of the Open edX community. In addition to the...
Read More
Open edX + Microsoft Office 365: Better Together
In the past few days, key contributions have been accepted into the Open edX codebase to enable integration between Open edX, a popular open source system for massive open online courses or MOOCs and Office 365's popular productivity software and services. This continues Microsoft's contributions to educational open source software including Office 365 integrations with...
Read More


text:
Home › Forums › Gear Forums › Make Your Own Gear › MYOG Wearable Quilt
Dec 2, 2011 at 1:06 pm #1282635
I am new to making my own gear and just recently started sewing on an old 1930's era Singer. I have learned a lot and been encouraged by the posts here. Although I added some stuff myself for this quilt I mainly followed the directions on Thru-Hiker and Jamie Shorts website. For any other newbie MYOG people out there I would definitely encourage you to give it a shot.
Some basics on the materials: The shell material is SevenD from TiGoat, the baffles are 0.31 oz/sqyd cuben from Zpacks and the Omni-tape and plastic hardware are from Quest or Zpacks. The down is 900 f/p from Thru Hiker.
The baffles are 1.5". I overstuffed by 30% much like the Zpacks quilts. The loft turned out to be about 1.75" although I'm not sure that I am measuring correctly. Any tips would be appreciated. . .
The quilt is 78" long and is tapered to 50" at the top/neck, 56" at the widest and 38" at the foot. There is 1/16" shock cord with mini cord locks around the collar to gather the quilt around the neck without being too tight or uncomfortable. The top baffle is overstuffed to about 2.75" of loft.
The footbox is created using omni-tape along the ends and about 24" along the sides. I tapered the foot end to create a trapezoidal footbox similar to a Katabatic quilt.
The head hole is sewn into the middle baffle using 0.31 oz/sqyd cuben and omni-tape.
The total weight is 16 ozs and includes 9.9 ozs of down. I figure it should be good to about 30 degrees. I have only used it once, in Joshua Tree in late October, with temps around 38 degrees and it was warm and toasty. I was sleeping in shorts, a silk top and windshirt.
Any suggestions or comments would be very much appreciated!Dec 2, 2011 at 3:24 pm #1808082
Clint HewittMember
@walksoftly33Locale: New England
Nice looking quilt. 16oz that is nice and light. Looks really well done and thought out.
I have had a quilt set from thru hiker sitting in my room for about a year now and have yet to get around to putting it together. I have considered a wearble quilt but have not decided if it was worth it. What made you go for it?
Can we get a wearable picture? come on… we here at BPL need a good chuckle with the winter coming.Dec 2, 2011 at 4:45 pm #1808106
Bryce F.BPL Member
@bster13Locale: Norwalk, CT
Clint, after seeing your pack, u def can rock this out!
I have a JRB quilt that is wearable, I should of worn it during the daylight more to see. I find it gives significant weight savings because I can wear it around camp (extra hassle of keeping it away from fire and not getting it dirty, but there is no free lunch :p) and not carry a puffy down jacket. When I'm hiking, I'm sure like you, I don't use down insulation as I'm cranking heat.Dec 3, 2011 at 8:03 am #1808251
Dustin SnyderBPL Member
@dustintsnyderLocale: Southeast
Very nice looking quilt!
DustinDec 3, 2011 at 12:09 pm #1808333
Thanks for the comments MYOG'ers. I decided to make it wearable to save weight by not having to bring a puffy jacket. Fortunately fashion is not a concern in the wilderness, with that in mind this photo should provide some much needed comedy relief as the holiday season approaches.
Quilt in puffy jacket mode.Dec 3, 2011 at 12:27 pm #1808337
Eugene SmithBPL Member
@eugeneiusLocale: Nuevo Mexico
"Yes dear, what is it?"
"Have you seen my cuben rain skirt and down loafers? "Dec 3, 2011 at 2:59 pm #1808372
Alice Feels HappyMember
That's awesome!Dec 3, 2011 at 7:02 pm #1808412
robert vBPL Member
@mtnbob123Locale: Upstate South Carolina
Looks warm and usefully multifunctional!!Dec 3, 2011 at 7:56 pm #1808427
Colin KrusorBPL Member
@ckrusorLocale: Northwest US
Excellent design and craftsmanship.Dec 3, 2011 at 9:43 pm #1808446
John WestSpectator
@skyzoLocale: Borah Gear
Looks great Andy, nicely done. I've had the materials to make a quilt for some time now, maybe this will motivate me to get mine done!Dec 4, 2011 at 11:33 am #1808562
Awesome quilt. One of these is on my to do list now!
One question: How tall are you, and what do you think about the dimensions you used? Good? Bad? could have been shorter or narrower?
ThanksDec 4, 2011 at 3:03 pm #1808612
Thanx again MYOG'ers. I appreciate the comments.
I am 6'0", 185 lbs. The 56" width feels like more than enough with plenty of extra material to tuck under my back or side (I'm mainly a side sleeper). The 38" total width at the foot end is too much and there is too much extra space around my feet. I will probably taper the end some more.
The material length was cut to 78" long (6'6") and although the baffles make it a few inches shorter the end product length is just right. There is enough length to gather lots of down/material around the neck. I can stretch out comfortably when on my back. Tapering to 50" at the neck end, similar to the Katabatic quilts, makes a nice contour from the shoulders to the neck and saves a little weight.
Just to add some contrast, the two other quilts (a 20 degree and 40 degree) that I have worked on were both too narrow at 52". The 56" width makes it more comfortable around the shoulders. For the 40 degree quilt I started with 72" of material and it turned out to be just a little too short after the baffles were added.
Have fun making some quilts.Dec 4, 2011 at 6:24 pm #1808703
Thanks for that, and I will!
one more question, what is your shoe size?
thanksDec 5, 2011 at 5:17 pm #1809095
Shoe size eleven, 'E' width. 'hope that helps!Dec 5, 2011 at 7:25 pm #1809141
Colin KrusorBPL Member
@ckrusorLocale: Northwest US
Andy, how would you describe your experience sewing the SevenD? I've been considering using it for a project. Did you use a walking foot on your machine? Did you pin extensively at short intervals to help with keeping the layers aligned, or use some other method like wash-away tape? Does it slip or pucker enough to be challenging? Any tips? Thanks.Dec 5, 2011 at 7:57 pm #1809147
thats great, thanks.Dec 5, 2011 at 10:27 pm #1809203
Colin: Working with SevenD is a lot like Momentum 50 or 55, but it has more of a silky feel. It's like the luxury material for UL. It is very slippery so I pinned the edges every 5 or 6 inches when sewing the ends. It has a tendency to move around, slide and just be overall challenging to work with for an amateur like me. Sometimes ironing any edges first helps, too.
I folded the two pieces of fabric inside of themselves to create a french seam along the edges, this seems to make a cleaner finished product without using as much material. The SevenD comes in 58" width and I wanted to save as much width as possible. This french seam 'technique' is difficult to explain well, if a picture would help please let me know.
For the channel at the top/neck end I just folded a 5 linear yard piece of SevenD in half (long ways) and sewed the channel at the top. This makes a really clean/smooth channel at the top/neck end, . . . but this made it harder to sew the middle baffle with the head hole. For the other quilt I've made with a head hole it was much easier to sew the middle baffle first, then move outward from there. I'm still experimenting and learning along the way.
I used the presser foot on the sewing machine. I'm not sure if that is the same thing as a walking foot. I've been using a 1930's Singer with the original instruction manual, so the terms/names may be dated.
I noticed that the Zpacks quilts use a slightly heavier material for the outer shell, something like Momentum 90. I used SevenD for the inner and outer shell this time to save weight. I typically use quilts inside a bivy (made out of 0.51 oz/sqyd cuben & Momentum 55) so the outer material doesn't need to be heavier. For a SUL quilt that would be used without a bivy I would probably use a slightly heavier/more wind resistant material for the outer shell.
I'm already thinking about taking the down out of my 20 degree quilt to redo it a little wider. Will the MYOG possibilities ever end?Mar 8, 2012 at 7:03 pm #1850849
First off, this is an amazing quilt Andy! I'm planning to make one very similar in the near future.
Andy, I do have a slight concern about using .31 cuben as baffle material. My best guess is that you sewed the cuben baffles and I would like to know how the quilt's held up thus far. I would think that with some trail use (albeit, gentle and conservative use) you might run the risk of baffle seam degradation because of the .31 cuben. I hope that's not been an issue for you because I would love the weight savings associated with the cuben!Mar 8, 2012 at 10:22 pm #1850946
Thanx Stephen. I've had the same concerns about the lighter weight cuben. The black wearable quilt is holding up with no problems so far. I've made quilts using the 0.31 and the 0.51 cuben for the baffles and there doesn't seem to be a difference (at least yet).
I would use the 0.31 cuben for baffles again, but not for the baffle with the head hole. I think 0.51 cuben would be better for that one due to the extra stretching around the head hole, and to hold the snag free velcro.
I have only used the black one twice in the field. A better example of durability would be with a homemade quilt I used last season for around 20 nights in the high Sierra's, including 15 nights on the JMT. It was made using Momentum 50 (the older orange colored material) and 0.31 cuben for the baffles. It's a 20 degree quilt with between 2.5" – 2.7" baffles. I folded the corners of the 0.31 cuben baffle material about 1/8" on the long sides to reinforce the areas that would be sewed to the Momentum 50. This one is holding up really well, no tears or rips.
FWIW, I use a size 11 needle with the smallest hydrophobic thread available on Quest. I think this may help.
Also, Joe @ Zpacks uses the 0.31 cuben for the baffles on his quilts. He typically makes high quality gear and I figure if it's good enough for Zpacks. . . He also has some good washing instructions on the website.
I have seen one quilt using 0.31 cuben start to show some early signs of damage, but it was made using cuben on the outer and inner shells as well as the baffles. There are some good photos of the stretching and a hole in the shell material in a recent trip report:
I've seen this quilt in person. It's incredibly lightweight (around 12 ozs) for a warm quilt, I think it has 2" loft, but very small dimensions (50" wide).
Have fun with your new quilt project. Making gear is a blast.Mar 12, 2012 at 6:50 pm #1852717
Thanks for the response about the cuben baffles. It seems safe enough to use so I ordered some from Joe this morning.
1.) It looks like you didn't utilize a drawcord for the footbox, presumably to achieve that trapezoidal shape. Have you experienced any draft problems in the footbox as a result? Any other problems or perks with this design? You mentioned that 38" was a bit too large for your feet, how much do you think it needs to shrink?
2.) How many mitten hooks, D rings, and tiny drawcord locks are you using? It looks like 3 mitten hooks, 6 D rings, and 3 tiny cord locks. Additionally, how has this D ring, mitten hook, and cord lock system worked for you?
3.) About how large is your head opening baffle? No more than 25" I'd think.
4.) The top channel is just a 5" linear piece of material folded lengthwise and then sewn in place. That seems quite small in comparison to the other baffle chambers and I'd like to know how compressed the down feels with the 2.75" of loft.
5.) It looks like the omni-tape at the footbox doesn't follow the taper, was this intentional?Mar 12, 2012 at 10:32 pm #1852842
Hey Stephen,
I used omni tape to form the footbox. It seems to be working well with no draft problems. The tape holds tight. I've used it with the 38" length at the foot end and that has finally worked out. The foot box can be put together in two different configurations; either as a tall/slender tapered shape that makes the most out of the total length of the quilt, or as a wider more flat shape that allows for more side to side room in the footbox.
You got it right with the hardware. I really like the d ring/mitten hook system. Once I find the best length the cord locks won't be necessary, and they get in the way on my back. The elastic cords with the mitten hooks are easily removable for use as an elastic belt for a poncho if needed.
The elastic cord makes it easy to pull the quilt tight along the back when side sleeping. No drafts, total warmth.
The head opening is 16". It's about 2" too much, but it's easy to cinch the sides to fit.
The last baffle at the foot end is tapered from 5" in the middle to 0" at the sides. This is to create the trapezoidal footbox shape when it's put together with the omni tape. I changed the amount of down in this last baffle to fit the actual amount of space (c/i). I'm not sure this is what you were referring to in the second to last question, please let me know.
The only thing I plan on changing on my next project is the footbox shape. I'm going to make all of the baffles 5" in width, then make a flat/wide foot box by keeping the main long seam on the bottom. This looks like the way the Zpacks quilts are made and will allow for more foot room from side to side. This seems like a better way to do it, but it will take an extra 5" baffle to keep the overall length.
Here are the two ways to put the footbox together with omni tape:Mar 13, 2012 at 9:29 pm #1853426
Thanks for the information Andy!
My fourth question was actually referring to the top/neck side of the tarp with the 5" folded over segment overstuffed to about 2.75" however I think you answered it.
The trapezoidal footbox is intriguing but I'm leaning towards a flat footbox like Jamie Shortt's lytw8 winter or summer quilt. I might employ the same method used to install the top baffle on the foot baffle and overstuff to compensate for any drafts I might get.
Still, I'm blown away by the quilt! Thanks for sharing!Mar 13, 2012 at 9:43 pm #1853432
Oh, One more thing! Your quilt measurements are of the material before seam allowances and sewing, correct?Mar 14, 2012 at 10:10 pm #1854031
Thanx for your comments. All measurements are before seam allowances.
You must be logged in to reply to this topic.


text:
Black Doctor Who Performed First Surgery to Separate Siamese Twins Opposes Obamacare
Dr. Ben Carson, who has been chronicled in Ebony and Jet for at least two decades for his achievements as a neurosurgeon, including his successful 1987 surgery to separate siamese twins, is also opposed to Obamacare.
In an interview with Black Christian News, Carson previously said, "The government is big enough and intrusive enough as it is. If you go back and read the ideals the Founders had, you'll see they never intended for the government to grow so large. They said it is critical, if the United States is to maintain itself as a free and prosperous nation, that the people be well-informed and active in government. We're becoming a nation for, of, and by the government. As that continues, we become less of a "can-do" nation and more of a "what can you do for me?" nation."
Although Carson acknowledged that we spend too much for what we get in exchange in our healthcare system, he says that has to do with the inefficiencies in the system that can be corrected without Obamacare.
When asked how we could improve health care without Obamacare, Carson said, "Start with the electronic medical record and electronic billings systems. Make the government responsible for catastrophic healthcare, and insurance companies only responsible for routine healthcare because they hide behind the catastrophic things to keep jacking up their rates. If you made them responsible for only routine healthcare, you could predict how much money they're going to have to put out. You can regulate them just like you do utilities."
125 Comments
Isaiah Morris
July 5, 2012 at 4:41 pm
So you're just going to say that a famous Black doctor opposes something that a majority of people like without explaining why? I like that. I that a lot…. -__-
July 5, 2012 at 7:04 pm
He did say why he didn't like it. Also a majority of people are opposed to it
To an Educated Person this makes Sense
July 5, 2012 at 8:37 pm
Actually, I need you to research this before you make comments like this, because the day Obamacare was passed by Supreme Court, there were a lot of celebrations all across the nation about this new law, and the last I checked, the majority of blacks and a lot of whites are NOT opposed to the new law. Checkmate.
J.D. Hill
July 5, 2012 at 8:51 pm
The majority of those who have healthcare may be opposed to Obamacare, but for no good reason other than "It's not my problem!" What about all of the folk who are uninsurable because of pre-existing conditions? What about the folk who's jobs do not provide healthcare, and the cost of individual plans is just prohibitive? What about those who were dropped from their health plan, because they got sick and the insurance company will no longer pay for their care?
Talk about government getting bigger! What about not doing anything about the healthcare crisis in our country? How much bigger will the government continue to get then?
vernon sukumu
July 6, 2012 at 12:29 am
Ben Carson and his mother are both right wing zilot I watch them both on C-span praising Clerance Thomas. David ask why some black folks don't except other blacks with different political views. David I don't like anyone with rights wing views most blacks don't either. We have problems with anyone that share the same views with David Duke, black or white.
July 6, 2012 at 1:56 pm
And passionate liberals cannot be considered "left wing" zealots?!! Are extreme liberal politics of "sexual freedom of all stripes", gay marriage, amnesty for illegal immigrants, abortion on demand, persecution of religious freedoms and those with a brain to make decisions outside of the liberal Propaganda machine any better than the extreme right?
Newsflash to you: All blacks are not Democrat or Republican. Some of us can conduct critical analyses of policies, situations and events and can make informed decisions based on how they affect our individual lives.
We are not "Uncle or Aunt Toms" because we refuse to tow the Democratic Party line. I don't believe that all Republicans are far right of center anymore than I believe that all Democrats are extreme left of center.
In fact, many blacks are socially conservative, hence many oppose Obama's stance on gay marriage and abortion. But, now they are being coerced and (in some cases mandated) to shirk their religious and personal convictions just to support a President who doesn't seem to remember his "black side" until it is time for re-election?
And, some people on this site have the AUDACITY to call other blacks out simply because they dissent and offer an opposing view? You can call me out and call me anything you want, but I will not be voting for President Obama in the upcoming election. And, that is not an automatic vote for Romney!!!
If you want to label me a disgrace, an ignoramus (my personal favorite), a sell-out or assign me any other "traitor label", then I will proudly wear it because the only image that is important to me is the one GOD sees and the one I see of myself every day when I look in the mirror!!
I hope "Christ-like" Obama can do the same.
February 18, 2013 at 9:35 pm
Read the bill and then comment.
Say What?
July 5, 2012 at 10:26 pm
I wonder if those that oppose Obamacare know if Obamacare wasn't passed millions of Americans would've been up a creek because Wisconsin republican Rep. Paul Ryan, who chairs the House Budget Committee, had a budget plan that would've cut $4 trillion over the next ten years, much of it by getting rid of Medicare.
The plan would've essentially ended Medicare, which now pays most of the health-care bills for 48 million elderly and disabled Americans.
Medicare would've been replaced by private insurance. Ryan's plan included giving money directly to insurance companies to help cover premiums, with a cap of $15,000.
There would've been no limit to the amount an insurance company could charge the highest risk group in the nation, namely the elderly, former Medicare recipients would've end up with considerably less coverage.
The Ryan plan amounted to little more than taxpayers paying for health insurance twice; once out of pocket, and once through government subsidy payments to insurance companies with their tax dollars.
July 5, 2012 at 7:01 pm
Dr Carson is collecting big checks for any surgery that he has performed…..and you don't have to wonder why he is opposed to Obamacare.
July 5, 2012 at 7:06 pm
Why would you villainize a man for his success. He worked hard for it and should be allowed to enjoy it.
To an Educated Person this makes Sense
July 5, 2012 at 8:31 pm
Yes, but he is paid behind what you or I pay for to see the doctor. So, he is not being villanized, but the first poster is simply saying that, Carson needs to take a huge pay cut because he does not need all of the money he gets. You also need to understand that Obamacare will stop a lot of insurance fraud on the part of doctors and hospitals, and Obamacare will interfere with them making so much unnecessary money.
July 6, 2012 at 1:15 pm
He needs to take a huge pay cut? No, he doesn't. If that's the case then all the entertainers, actors, actresses and pro ball players should do the same! He worked his tail off to get to where he is. What is wrong with people making as much money as they possibly can? He also has to pay malpractice insurance, which is absurdly high anyway. He spent 10 to 13 yrs to learn his trade, he has to repay student loans and he is self employeed. He has to pay his employees (office staff and nurses) salaries as well. We don't need more government intervention. We need to get the lawyers OUT of healthcare!
July 6, 2012 at 7:56 pm
What ever happens with the Affordable Care Act, it will have no effect on the life of Dr. Ben Carson. This man is a world renowned surgeon respected called on for his genius and skill, he will always be secure in the field of surgery. However, he is giving an opinion on Health Insurance, which he understands little. Electronic records has been an ongoing discussion, only the government can effectivly make that happen. His notion that government should shoulder the catastrophic cases and the for-profit companies handle the routine cases, only benfits the insurance companies. They love to collect the premiums, but hate to pay the claims, paying is not good for profits.
Ruby fromNJ
July 6, 2012 at 1:59 pm
Since you and others continue to talk about the health care bill, please learn its name and use it. That will make you look intelligent. It is the " Affordable Care Act," or ACA.
July 6, 2012 at 7:15 pm
It's Obamacare, or more like, Obamadon'tcare, or Obamatax! I know got the name 🙂
July 6, 2012 at 7:56 pm
Wrong again beaver breath. The government is horrible at controlling fraud. The Medicare and Medicaid systems are defrauded as a matter of routine. In 2010, Medicare fraud was nearly 8% of the Medicare budget. Medicaid fraud is a state-by-state thing. Just one company — Wellcare — ripped the Florida Medicaid system for $40 million, and reportedly did the same thing other states; so far they investigators have found a total of $217 million in fraud by one little company. (Medicaid and Medicare are both contracted out to private companies to administer, in Kentucky for example, three different companies hlep administer Medicaid). Add on top the millions of two-bit drug dealers out there that get oxycodone and other such drugs from their Medicaid benefits, and then sell them on the black market, you have to realize that Medicaid is getting ripped in a huge way.
There is no true control of fraud in government agencies.
Sherry Y.
October 30, 2012 at 11:49 am
Correct. I have worked for the federal government and they cannot manage these large programs. There is tremendous fraud. What makes ANYONE think if the government has not been able to manage social security, medicare, medicaid, VA hospitals….that they will be able to manage Obamacare any better? It's one more big hole for the feds to waste $ in. I thanked a clerk at the Naval Hospital (semi-socialized medicine for military) for being patient with me when taking care of appointments for my mother. She got to talking about how people get upset now when they have to wait at the clinics in military so long….she said just wait until socialized medicine hits. The waits will be MUCH longer and there will be much more in the way of irrate patients. I know Dr. Carson from church personally….he is a caring, giving and extremely knowledgable man who has earned his right to practice medicine. He came from an extremely poor single-mother family and worked his way out of poverty by learning all he could in school. He went from being last in his class to first in his class through hard work. You have to read his personal story before criticsizing him. He has been on sides of the economic ladder.
July 6, 2012 at 1:36 pm
HIV is synthetic. It has been developed over a number of years and it has an affinity for people of color. What the science and medical evidence concludes is that the HIV enzyme seeks out a receptor site in the blood of the Black genome. The receptor site is the CCR5 Delta 32+ (positive) gene that all people of color have. In the same sense, on the other end of the spectrum, is the 15 percent Caucasian population of the world, which is CCR5 Delta 32-(negative) gene. That means that under no circumstances, whether HIV came through the air, intravenous drug usage or any form of sexual activity, would the virus be transferable in Caucasian sector of the world's population, which is basically of northern European descent.
It is speculated by some experts that, in a worse case scenario, 85 percent of the world's population could potentially perish under these designer viruses and designer synthetic biological agents. What we're looking at here—because of this identified gene of the Black genome, this CCR5 Delta32+ (positive)—we are potentially looking at the eradication of all people of color.The bible states "My people perish for lack of knowledge. The true devil doesn't wear red tights, a cape with horns protruding from his forehead instead, the devil incarnate are diabolical Caucasian scientist (men and women) in white lab coats.
July 6, 2012 at 8:05 pm
Wow. You seem to forget that AIDS in the USA was first asociated with white homosexuals in San Francisco. Lots of white people get AIDS. The reason that white people have less cases of AIDS than what their proportion of the population would suggest is that they simply don't sleep around as much as black people do. The #1 way to spread/get AIDS is anal intercourse (which a black man is 27% more likely to have done than than a white man), and the #2 way to spread/get AIDS is sleeping around in general, and black men are almost three times more likely than a white man to have "slept" with 3 or more women in the last 12 months. Just the facts, ma'am.
You go to Africa, and their sexual behaviours are far more extreme that what it is here in the US. The idea that men with AIDS think that raping a young virgin will cure their AIDS is just horrid, but that's what they do, and all they accomplish is giving AIDS to a 10 year old girl.
Linda Lampe
July 6, 2012 at 9:39 pm
Evidently you are aware of all the good that Dr.Carson and his wife do around the world.He has a foundation to help achieving inner-city youth with scholarships and grants.Read his books and discover how he overcame poverty,ghetto,anger,and being raised by a single mom who could neither read nor write but held her sons to a higher standard.He is one of the most GIVING ,LOVING MEN on this planet.Do your research before you let your poison boil over about a man becoming successful due to his efforts.READ his books or if you have difficulty reading watch the movie about his life,Gifted Hands.The book is more detailed and will give you insight about how to be a VICTOR,NOT A VICTIM,that our whiny President wants to make us,especially black people.Obama does not care about anyone but himself and maybe his goons.Dr.Carson's success is a huge problem for those that use the race card and poverty as an excuse.He is living proof what anyone can achieve if they believe in God and follow His teachings found in the Holy Bible.I would like to see your credentials and bank account.How much have you given back to society?
July 7, 2012 at 1:18 pm
Good on ya Linda, though, I don't believe "Gifted Hands" in either version gives enough detail about the great good Dr. Carson does around the world and in the US. I do not know your race in particular but , I am so saddened every time I witness the truth that the black race will only support blacks when they are on the side of not being accomplished on their own merit through hard work performed by themselves. ANY ONE, red, black, yellow, white, who suggests we all can and should be responsible for making our way in this world and live according to what we provide for ourselves is vilified. Dr. Carson is THE example of that. HE WORKED EXTREMELY HARD and overcame THE WORST OF CIRCUMSTANCES to get where he is today… HOW DARE ANY OF YOU, especially those who are living on the working persons dime HAVE ANY NERVE to say he doesn't deserve what he has EARNED THROUGH EXTREME HARD WORK AND COST TO HIS FAMILY THROUGH LOSS OF SPENDING TIME WITH THEM. A man in his position and his family has sacrificed MUCH. SHAME ON YOU LAZY HATERS. What does a movie star or talk show host REALLY do to earn their money you all so eagerly give? Non of you are hating on them because they help perpetuate the problem of the day which is people not being willing to enhance their own outcome in this world. What about people who come here from other countries who have nothing and work hard and do become successful. MAKE GOOD OF THE EDUCATION YOU ARE OFFERED DURING YOUR YEARS OF RECEIVING IT FREE AND YOU WILL SEE A HUGE DIFFERENCE IN YOUR LIFE. The world is a black persons oyster containing the pearl if you become educated. That is the truth… like it or not. If you didn't make a wise choice when you had the chance then LOVE YOUR CHILDREN ENOUGH to help them not be enslaved to a taskmaster like the government. One must remain oppressed to be taken care of… that is the truth. You will NEVER be satisfied on welfare of any kind. The slave owner will give you enough to make you content enough to grovel at it's feet send support them for re-election whether they are re, yellow, white or even BLACK. LOVE your children like Dr. Carson's mom LOVED hers… she never gave them an excuse to be enslaved. Read about her and all her children before you continue the wining and crying as good slaves. I do believe we as a people ought to provide EDUCATION and child care as an opportunity for all Americans to achieve what we are able. Beyond that, are entitled to what we achieve and nothing more.
bonnie Morrison
July 8, 2012 at 12:51 am
July 8, 2012 at 10:13 am
So what, this just adds to the ignorance of this generation. For God sakes, we live in America, theses practitioners have gone to school for years to learn what it takes to be a successful specialist, and you don't think they deserve the money they make? They are saving lives, not sitting around waiting for mom and dad to pay for things. En-titlist loser!
July 5, 2012 at 7:08 pm
The question I have for Dr. Carson is, so does this mean your gonna vote for Romney? The reality is that Obama cannot please everyone in all that he does, so, Dr. Carson, whom I respect, is entitled to his opinion. But I agree with the person above who asked, where is the reasoning behind his statement? It looks like the article pits these two famous Black men against each other, or at least it seems to pit Dr. Carson against Obama, so I'd like to see a more comprehensive article.
July 5, 2012 at 7:24 pm
@Isaiah Morris, I completely agree. It's frustrating to fully understand the implications and ramifications of ObamaCare when you only hear from politicians with definite agendas. I was looking forward to reading about an opinion on the issue from someone of experience in the medical field.
July 5, 2012 at 7:40 pm
"If you go back and read the ideals the Founders had, you'll see they never intended for the government to grow so large."
Dr. Carson.
The founding fathers never intended for you to become a doctor.
Say What?
July 5, 2012 at 8:29 pm
MrUniteUs: My senitments exactly. That same passage from the article jumped out at me too. The founding fathers never intended for slaves to go free; they'd roll over in their graves if they knew a black man will down in history books for passing the first National Healthcare Act in America history.
July 7, 2012 at 1:28 pm
You need to check true history… The fight to free slaves was actually enacted by republicans. You who say these like one should investigate the truth are actually spewing out comments you think you are correct on but are actually just repeating from those who hold the position you like for yourself. If you want to speak out about what the founding fathers intended then do the research so you earn the merit to actually speak about their intent. Go the Library of Congress site and start reading. That education will be free.
Big Papa
July 5, 2012 at 9:42 pm
Doc Carson probably does not care if the people who stole America from the Native Americans, felt up or down about him becoming a Doctor but he should realize had it not been for those that came before him had gotten tired of taking crap that would've prevented him from being who he is today, he probably would have thought better than to voice his opinion to the press or any agent of the press and would continue to make History and aide in Helping to preserve History the History that is being made in Washington and the White House current Occupants. Just maybe he would think and rethink his outspoken "opinion" and "Shut the Hell Up!
if you don't like what was just said…..Oh well.
bahati sobukwe
July 5, 2012 at 9:44 pm
And that's the crux of the problem. Any 'negro' who quotes the founding fathers (of whites) is unconcious in by opinion. Dr. Carson should stick to being a surgeon where he excells. And go right on and vote for whom the founding fathers were addressing–white males.
Rudolph Jones
July 5, 2012 at 11:06 pm
Talk about being stuck in the past…
Its not about Voting for someone just because of their skin color.. Remember Obama Is HALF White. If you are that narrow minded to vote for someone based on race then look who's the racist now.
Its all about the message People! Vote Smart not Just because of their skin. Ron Paul has the right message! Compare Obama and Dr.Paul. Listen to his message then talk.
Dr. George Moorman
July 6, 2012 at 12:49 pm
For 43 presidents Whites have voted for a president that looks like them. We do it and now we are not voting smart. Ron Paul has nothing to offer Black people nor does he have a message for us!
Additionally, racism (race-system) is a system based on race. Anyone that participates in, adheres to or believes in this type of system is considered a racist. It developed out of white supremacy-the notion that whites (who came into existence millions of years after Blacks) are more intelligent and capable than other races they've deemed inferior.
July 5, 2012 at 11:43 pm
Mr Unite
I am 100% in agreement with what you said. the founding fathers expected our people to just keep on plowing the fields and when we get sick, they sell us or put us out to pasture like lame horses (who actually got treated better).
Dr. Carson has a great medical mind, and he is entitled to his opinion, but common sense isn't in his grasp. the pharmaceutical lobbyists would NEVER let that idea see the floor. and when was the last time we were NOT a "what can you do for me" nation? We passed that line during the Bush administration.
Hmmmmm… the brother has it a little twisted
Roger Shouse
July 7, 2012 at 8:48 am
The founders never thought we'd fly to the moon, but that doesn't demean the value of the principles of the constitution they created. In fact, many of the founders opposed slavery and worked to reduce the influence of slave states. Bravo Dr. Ben!
Isaiah Morris
July 6, 2012 at 2:09 am
To MrUniteUs:
He is talking about the downsides to Obamacare. A major flaw that I don't like is that people are literally forced to buy the health insurance. You have no say whether if you can get it or not. Being that controlling would very detrimental to those who can not afford it, and thus why Dr. Carson quoted what he said. You can not force people to buy something that they may not be able to maintain!
Lisa McDowell
July 6, 2012 at 8:39 am
like car insurance…there is a penalty if you're caught without it…so whats the problem with a penalty for not buying medical insurance.
July 6, 2012 at 11:55 am
I agree with you totally. This is the only thing needed to be said. If you have to have insurance to drive a car, you definitely need insurance for yourself. We are forced to buy car insurance and I have not seen Dr. Ben Carson nor the GOP complain about that at all.
July 6, 2012 at 8:07 pm
This is simply not true. If you already have health insurance, you will not be made to by anything. The only people who will have to buy health insurance are those who can afford it, and that group is people above the poverty line. No one who can afford health insurance should be without it so that when they go to the ER, the taxpayers have to pay for them. People who cannot afford it will not be made to by it, and people who already have health insurance will be able to keep theirs. That part of the law affects about 18 million people.
July 6, 2012 at 11:09 pm
If you do not want to purchase health insurance, then do not show up at the hospital ill and expect free health care. I respect Dr. Carson and the work that he does but he expects to be paid when he operates. Is he willing to operate on individuals who have no money or insurance to pay him? No. Someone always ends up paying for the uninsured. Obamacare may not be perfect but it is a start. It can always be amended as needed.
July 6, 2012 at 4:14 am
that's funny but you're right
Pam Richmond
July 6, 2012 at 3:22 pm
Don't over-simplify our founding fathers by saying they would never have wanted Dr. Carson to be a doctor. Many of them (Jefferson, for example) were strongly anti-slavery. Here is some good history, if you need a reminder. Meanwhile, let Dr. Carson speak. http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/1269536/The-Founding-Fathers-and-Slavery
L Manier
July 9, 2012 at 8:53 pm
The way I interpret the Britannica article, is — that Jefferson probably would have supported Carson being a doctor among Blacks on the offshore colony that he wanted all Blacks to be placed. Not on the shores of the United States. His solution to the slavery problem was to ship my people out of the country, and keep America lillly white.
July 5, 2012 at 7:54 pm
Hate to say it but Dr. Carson is an educated fool. Any Black man who would quote the "founding fathers" is either a politician or a very misguided person. Obviously money is misguiding Dr. Carson to believe in myths and fantasy.
July 5, 2012 at 7:58 pm
I agree with three of the above comments. More information is required from Dr. Carsons statement and people need to realize that the 'Founding Fathers' had no intention of granting rights for African Americans, women or poor people. the 'Fathers' get too much credit for many things in my opinion.
July 6, 2012 at 11:58 am
Well said.
July 5, 2012 at 8:09 pm
At least he was able to intelligently answer the question put to him. Whether you agree with him or not, he was able to state what he feels would be the best solution for the healthcare system in this country, which is a hell of a lot more than anyone can say for all of the people that hate Obama can say. All they do is scream that it's a tax, yet say nothing of how it could be better. Since Republicans did everything in their power to try to prevent it from becoming law, they surely have nothing to say about it. So, it is refreshing to finally hear a dissenting opinion, from an educated man about how the healthcare system in America can be better. I, for one, appreciate his viewpoint.
July 5, 2012 at 8:35 pm
Dr. Carson, just like everyone else is entitled to his opinion. I just have a problem with him talking about the intentions of the "founding fathers" . The "founding fathers" intentions were that the "slaves" were to be slaves in perpetuatuity, and the "founding fathers" intentions were that women were never to be given the vote. Those were two of their intentions!
July 6, 2012 at 12:03 pm
Right. I bet the founding fathers are turning over in their graves knowing Dr. Carson has the career he has.
You have no idea what you are talking about
July 6, 2012 at 8:44 pm
The Founding Fathers did not intend for slaves to be enslaved in perpetuity. The 3/5ths clause of the Constitution was specifically added so that the southern states could not get more and more representation based on the amount of slaves they held, giving them too much power in our Congress. Black men read our Constitution and realized it was a document intended to eventually see the end of slavery.
We would do well to recognize that the Presidency should not be about personality, but rather about adherence to our Constitution, that if we would simply return to the principles of it, most if not all of our problems would be solved. We are in this mess, because we have ignored free-enterprise, sound money, small government, and the principles of liberty since about 1913.
July 5, 2012 at 11:46 pm
David… grammar, spelling, my brother. you're, not "your" (2xs)
I don't think the brother is a sell out at all (unless he has the OJ Simpson complex), he's still a Black man to me; but, "you're" right. Everyone is entitled to their opinions.
Mahari Mengistu
July 6, 2012 at 1:14 am
Dr. Carson IS or has appeared to be very Afrocentric and has told stories of great Afrikan Americans with pride. He has had a tough life actually in order to reach his goal of a doctor. My guess is that he thinks that if he can make it without govt assistance others should too. The problem is that he doesn't realize how LUCKY he was – that there are numerous like him who tried but were destroyed by a predatory society.
Strangely, his suggested solutions are a part of Obamacare and would not occur without government intervention. It certainly makes you wonder if it isn't about what he might lose as a consequence of Obamacare.
Lisa McDowell
July 6, 2012 at 8:44 am
@ mahari: you say, Dr. Carson IS or has appeared to be very Afrocentric and has told stories of great Afrikan Americans with pride.
so did clerance thomas before he sold out!
July 6, 2012 at 5:10 pm
"… grammar, spelling,…"
Excellent point! "sellout" (noun), not "sell out" (verb). Additionally, a comma does not belong after your OJ Simpson comment. "He's still a black man to me" is an independent clause, requiring either a period or semicolon before it. Finally, "everyone" is entitled to "his" or "her" opinion (not "their opinions"); "everyone" is a singular noun.
J.D. Hill
July 5, 2012 at 8:38 pm
Those who oppose Obamacare plan never give the details to replace it. They acknowledge that there is a huge problem with healthcare delivery, but what are their recommendations besides, "Let's get rid of it and replace it with a better plan". WHAT BETTER PLAN?
I, too, do not prefer Obamacare. I believe that the President missed the mark when he opted againt universal healthcare. Obamacare is, however, far better than what we had! Its full implementation will make healthcare more accessible for everyone. And that, to me, is a good thing!
Obamacare is all but a carbon copy of Romneycare. The reason for Romneycare is essentially the same as for Obamacare. The government imposed itself on the good folk of Massachusetts and levied a tax (penalty or fine) for those who did not comply.
What else is new! We can name a hundred similar penalties.
Dr. Carlson is a great physician. But, he needs to give us details as to what should otherwise take Obamacare's place. (And he ain't no county clinic, primary care doctor, remember!)
July 5, 2012 at 8:46 pm
I'm more inclined to believe Dr. Carson's theory on how to cover America than someone sitting behind a desk that knows very little about healthcare (one way or the other). If he feels that our government should take over catastrophic cost instead of private insurance, I for one agree. Obamacare has its perks and drawbacks, such as, covering preexisting illnesses (perk) holding insurance companies to a profit margin of 20% (could be a drawback). If I was a wealthy individual, why would I partake in a business that inhibits my profit margin. No one is in the business of loosing money (white, black, blue, green or grey). People, it's not African American, Caucasian etc. etc. etc. It's who has the best ideas on how to run our government in a manner that is condusive to the well being of Americans at large. In conclusion, I feel that racism, classism and the destruction of middle and low economic Americans will be wiped out with the Republican vote.
July 5, 2012 at 8:51 pm
The article as it's written suggests Dr. Carson's opposition is either because he hates big government or he has some other agenda by making this statement. His simplistic solution to address our health care system failures, seemed to be prodded from him and dismissive in nature. As a medical professional he probably has plenty of insight and I'd believe the POTUS would be willing to listen. Then of course just because he is a doctor, does not make him right on this matter. The fact that this comes from BCN is suspect; I bet they sought Dr. Carson to attack the POTUS. When critiquing anyone's actions or plans, it's always best to offer viable alternative solutions.
Affordable Health Care Act Opponent
July 5, 2012 at 9:08 pm
Stop calling the Affordable Health Care Act, Obama Care. He didn't write it; he merely signed it. When any congress person and president signs a bill into law, without knowing all of the provisions in the bill, it is a sad day for this country and its citizens. The states should be address the issues around health care. So the penalty tax will be paid by those who can't afford health insurance. Why should a person who doesn't have health insurance in 2014 and who has not acquired any health care expenses in 2014 for which he/she cannot pay, be "punished" with a tax just because? This law will not tax those individuals without insurance who don't file a federal tax return. And for those not filing a federal tax return and living in states that don't have a state income tax, how will the Federal government go after them for failing to have health insurance. The Affordable Health Care Act was rushed into law without full evaluation of the bill by the president and by congress. Our government has failed us and wants us to bail them out of the crises it created. Why doesn't the President, members of Congress and the Judiciary give up their health care benefits that they don't pay for out of their salary, and give up 80% of their retirement plan that taxpayers pay for to help balance the budget? They need to sacrifice first. A non-violent revolution is needed in this country. Cost of insurance will rise. The middle class will be "screwed" once again. And the wealthy, including President Obama and the majority of Congree, will get the best health care, as usual. All of us citizens should have the health care plans that the members of the Executive, Congressional and Judicial brances of our Federal government have. Also, some federal employees have great health care plans. What the FiretrUCK!
Joe M
July 5, 2012 at 9:33 pm
This article has a good video with insight into his decision. I don't agree with a lot of his political statements, but the part on the healthcare system makes sense.
July 5, 2012 at 9:38 pm
The suggestion that insurance companies take care of well and routine care is good, but for the government to take care of catastrophic illness would still have to be funded by a "tax" or healthcare bill, even in Dr Caron's scenario.
We can either construct a compassionate solution ie OBbamaCare or do nothing and let Big Insurance make huge profits however they want to and the un and underinsured citizens die in the streets or their homes for lack of care. The system as passed does not solve all our problems. And the system that will give care to all the citizens of the nation must be paid for by all the citizens in one way or another. At present the new law is better than what we had. It will not satisfy all but will help many.
July 5, 2012 at 9:51 pm
Educated: There are lots of people who are opposed to this new law.
Affordable: that Non-violent revolution is coming. Nov 6 2012.
JD Hill & K: If it were not for the founding fathers there would be no America. Furthermore, many of the founders freed their slaves at their deaths. Abigal Adams spoke strongly to John Adams exorting him to not forget about "the ladies". This is the BEST place on the planet to live. Don't like it? Leave.
Say What?
July 5, 2012 at 11:30 pm
rochesternative: CORRECTION — Without FRANCE there wouldn't have been an America. Washington was a low-down, dirty racist SOB that wouldn't allow slaves to fight in his army because he believed them to be inferior and worthless. Approximately ten years before the Revolutionary War, Great Britain had gone into debt defending the colonists against the French.But instead of repaying the British who were in debt through the stamp tax, Washington and his crew revolted. Ben Franklin was too old to fight so helped by running to France to begging for help. The French provided critical supplies and ammunition to keep the Patriots in the game. Spain was a strong ally of France and helped clear the British from many places. The Americans didn't win the war through bravery, it was by forefetiture. The British backed off because they were going into more debt fighting the ungrateful, back-stabbing colonists.
The so-called founding fathers were scum. Washington signed the Fugitive Slave Law, giving slave owners the right to recapture slaves even in free states that had abolished slavery………..HORRENDOUS !!!!!!!!!!!!!
Thomas Jefferson freed the children he had through the rape
of Sally Hemmings but he never freed her………..APPALLING!!!!!
rochesternative: whatever admiration you have for these so-called founding fathers is based in fiction. They don't deserve the respect of decent people……that's why our history books lie to us.
July 5, 2012 at 11:58 pm
they freed their slaves "after" their deaths because there was no way the could control the slaves when the died. wtf?
are you saying there were "good" slaveowners? being a slave owner and opposing slavery is such a contradiction in terms. you should have kept that comment to yourself.
July 5, 2012 at 10:34 pm
Much respect to Dr. Carson, BUT, someone should inform him that those same 'Founding Fathers of His' opposed his black a** even having the right to read or write! If his 'Founding Father's' rules were strictly followed today, Dr. Carson would be an 'ORDERLY' and not a doctor! I'm proud of this successful black doctor but dissapointed that he never uses his 'REAR VIEW MIRROR'. Dr. Carson seems to be suffering from the symtoms of a very common disease that is rapidly spreading thoughout the black community in affluent locales; 'THINK-I'VE-EVOLVED-PAST-BLACK-ITIS!!! The good news Dr. Carson is that there's a cure—Ask O.J. or the late Michael Jackson.
July 5, 2012 at 11:45 pm
I can't believe all of the misinformed posts I'm reading. MR Carson didn't say he didn't want to solve the Health care problem. He just said it would be more effective to have the government pay for catastrophic health care and insurance companies just cover basic care so that insurance will be more affordable to everyone. Does anyone on here think that they aren't going to spend MORE money for health care after everyone is forced to buy insurance? There will be no competition to encourage prices to go down, and our taxes will increase to pay for all the new government agencies that run it. I can't believe there are so many racist people on here bad mouthing Ben Carson for his achievements. If you haven't read his book-you should. He grew up in a very poor home with a single Mom that encouraged him to read. It was reading that he attributes to his success in life. Maybe if some of you read more you would know that what he said about the constitution and our founding fathers is true.
Lisa McDowell
July 6, 2012 at 8:48 am
so did clerance thomas, how it that working out for us?
July 6, 2012 at 1:31 pm
Well, I can. Dr. Carson made the first mistake. He dared to criticize President Obama. And that can be akin to "literary suicide", especially on a black message board.
We are suppose to be monolithic in our support of Mr. Obama despite our individual situations and personal convictions. The idea that some are disparaging this great man and his contributions to medicine and science just because he exercised his right to freedom of speech is astounding and abominable.
I read his book and I think the title was "Gifted Hands" and it was an amazingly inspiring read and one that I highly recommend for all people, but particularly for those who come from single parent or economically challenged environments.
Lorre, I agree with your comments. Every government program has pros and cons. That does not change because it is promulgated by a President or any garden variety politician because he has some melanin in his skin.
Take care.
Marvin Blades
July 6, 2012 at 12:18 am
It is easy for a doctor to be critical of any health care effort because such plans limits their monetary possibilities and places more oversight on their charges for service. This same argument applies to attorneys who are the beneficiaries of policies that mandate using their services.
Health care as a national discussion should stop, or at the very lease pause and allow some form of national health care to be put into place. America has allowed its poor and disenfranchised to exist on the fringes of health; while the rich and well connected have unlimited access to the benefits of modern medicine. We forget that in most of our discussions the poor are not at the table because without any advocate they have no unified voice. As we converse on this matter the least of us routinely die because this "Broken System" serves the interests of the haves and fails the have-nots.
Let us ask ourselves the question: "Why is it that a country which prides itself as the most prosperous nation in the world maintains a healthcare system that reserves the best care for the richest of its citizens and locks its doors to the poor?" Where is our compassion? Where is our mercy? In the end America won't be judged by how many opportunities it provided to make a profit; but by how those with the opportunities helped those who did not!
Herman Hawkins Jr.
July 6, 2012 at 1:17 am
As a fellow Detroit resident growing up like Dr. Carson, I am clearly disappointed in his position on Obamacare. He has somehow forgotten where he came from, or he would have a better sense of what is going on. Does anybody care about the poor and uninsured? Everything is about me, myself and I. The government, though flawed has become the bogeyman for all that is wrong in this country and Dr. Carson I'm afraid has been sucked into this paranoid, bigoted spirit and mentality.
July 6, 2012 at 1:29 am
July 6, 2012 at 2:43 am
It appears that Dr. Carson has violated the 11th Commandment and the 43rd Principle of Ma'at: "Thou shalt not be even PRINCIPALLY disagree with President Obama, lest you'll be considered a self-hating Black man (despite the fact that he's addressed every "minority" and "marginalized" group EXCEPT Black folk [insert the predictable and impotent "He's not JUST the President of BLACK America!" responses]). Folk tend to agree with pretty much EVERYTHING Obama does, whether they're familiar with it or not, while bashing any and ALL criticisms, principled or not. Case in point: It's interesting that some criticized Dr. Carson for his reference of the "Founding Fathers" but don't seem to have that SAME criticism of Obama when HE does it!
July 6, 2012 at 4:43 am
This is a great man and sounds like a wonderful Doctor…Why does race enter in the conversation..We live in 2012 We need people like this speaking out….Im a Chair of a community hospital and I think the Doc has some good points..We should listen and learn God bless Ernie Bono
July 6, 2012 at 6:24 am
So Carson opposes Government intrusion but wants the government to regulate the healthcare system? Sounds like his idea of fixing the problem is more government. Something has to be done. The status quo is not acceptable. Obama is the only one trying to make a change to a completely broken system. Republicans look the other way and line their pockets. Eight years of a Republican congress and president and all you get is the donut hole travesty? Something needs to be done and Obamacare is a start.
Almasi Sidu Jitu
July 6, 2012 at 7:00 am
"… Make the government responsible for catastrophic situations…". This guy's against the ACA but his answer is to take the country straight to communism when it comes to the most serious trauma or illness…. His idea of providing care to all won't shrink government, it will swell government. Once again, Dr. B presents a story not to enlighten, but merely to watch his own lips move.
July 6, 2012 at 7:23 am
I think that the "catastrophic" and "routine healthcare" that Dr.Carson mentioned, options should be explored.
william hardy
July 6, 2012 at 8:59 am
" It pisses me off, when I see our black people trying to correct someone's Grammar. We would be better people had we kept our original tounge, research and you will find out that this language we call American English was designed for the slaves, stupid." And also have you seen a white person correct another white person on his Grammar, the answer is No!. And mStar. Carson, and many other black folks are to Scared to speak the truth remember most of his clients are white,
July 6, 2012 at 9:37 am
Why do people continue to call it Obamacare? It is called the Affordable Health Care for America Act, which sounds more positive. If people call it Obamacare, they can forget the goal is to provide affordable health care for everyone. I think the people who use the term Obamacare love to use labels and the probably use a lot of negative labels.
The Rain
July 6, 2012 at 9:40 am
This guy is out of touch with regular working class people that pay his salary.The founding fathers also never intended for corporations and pharmacy companies to run the country either.Hey Doc,stick to what you are good at,and that is being a brilliant surgeon.The last thing we need is some guy that who has gotten fat off the way the system has been run,just now telling us there is a better way of running it,because his gravy train is about to be stop.What a phony.Wake up ,working class people,rich and well to do black people are not your friends.They only care about being accepted by the dominant culture and maintaining their life style.They are just gate keepers for their master.
July 6, 2012 at 10:07 am
Some of you are beyond pathetic, especially vernon sukumu. Why can't you just discuss the merits of his comments and why you agree or disagree wthout throwing politics in it?
July 6, 2012 at 10:48 am
Ben Carson is a doctor who is afraid that with Obamacare, he won't be able to make as much money.
July 6, 2012 at 12:12 pm
Dr. Carson is a brilliant neurosurgeon but clearly he is not an expert on healthcare systems or how healthcare insurance works for a country with this population. The notion that government should pay for catastrophic illnesses would be financially prohibitive because not enough people would be in the pool long enough to absorb the costs once a major illness or near death event hit. Further, his notion that the insurance companies should only cover the people who are low risk means that the insurance companies would reap billions from those people who would be unlikely to file a claim precisely because they are low risk, young, and healthy. I hate to say this, but Dr. Carson does not know what it is talking about. And a number of commentors in here should try taking this simple quiz designed by the Kaiser Foundation: http://healthreform.kff.org/quizzes/health-reform-quiz.aspx
fred sims
July 6, 2012 at 12:12 pm
Oh the founding father's stuff again. Well Dr carson is a Dr who allies himself with people who see him as thier equal only if he serves as a mouth peice for them, Our founding fathers with the exception of John Adams considered hime 3/4 of a person. Did not think women should vote, didn't think white men without properity should vote.Oh by the they didn't think about national health care , medicare,NASA or anything else that didn't exist in the 1780's. I resepct Dr Carson's skill as a doctor but now he's just trying to get paid.
July 6, 2012 at 12:21 pm
If you don't like the Affordable Care Act, but you like the part bout pre-existing conditions or the part about being allowed to put your 26 or below age child on your insurance, you can have those features without most of us being in the pool. Its math. As for public support, the Republicans and Tea Party have waged a relentless propaganda campaign against the law, often including outright lies repeated over and over again in speeches and ads and talking points. The Obama Administration has done an awful job selling and defending the law. Once people become familiar with the reality of the law, support will increase. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/07/01/obamacare-supreme-court-ruling_n_1641560.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+HP%2FPolitics+%28Politics+on+The+Huffington+Post%29
July 6, 2012 at 12:22 pm
Man error in previous post: Mean to write you CANNOT have those features without most people being in the pool.
July 6, 2012 at 12:28 pm
Simple all states should just repeal they have the right to do so such as Wisconsin
July 6, 2012 at 12:48 pm
Take the quiz: http://healthreform.kff.org/quizzes/health-reform-quiz.aspx
July 6, 2012 at 1:07 pm
The doctor lost me as soon as he mentioned what the founding fathers wanted. Mr. Cason can have his opinion I simply disagree with it. I should not have to pay the cost for people who can afford to have health insurance yet choose not to. And I would think that as a doctor Mr. Cason would know that we can not sustain healthcare as it currently exist.
July 6, 2012 at 1:39 pm
What about the uninsurred??? Carson
Roger Cotton
July 6, 2012 at 1:44 pm
Vernon, do you have problems with people who have American views?
This surgeon spent years of study and tons of money to become who he is: a success who saves lives.
Who are you and what have you done for America?
July 6, 2012 at 2:05 pm
I agree that this doctor disagree with the Affordable Healthcare Act because he will no longer be able to line his pockets with those big bucks for those expensive surgeries he performs and most likely they are people who are on Medicare and Medicaid and we know how they jack up the prices because it's the Federal Government paying for it. As for the Founding Fathers statement, just how big was the population when they wrote this constitution? Probably a few thousand people and today the U.S. has over 300 million people and counting. This is like when your household expands what do you do? You make provisions to expand or you move and get a bigger place. That involves spending more money and trying to budget your finances at the same time. I just don't understand people not wanting insurance or people not wanting other people who are uninsured to have insurance. When a person looks for a job and finds one that is what they work for BENEFITS, that includes a #1 a paycheck, #2 insurance, and #3 vacation or PTO. I am unemployed, uninsured, have pre-existing conditions and was turned down by Humana Insurance company because of those pre-existing conditions so I have nothing but Jesus to depend on.
Rick N.
July 6, 2012 at 7:38 pm
It's so sad to read the Blacks in 2012 still see themselves as slaves.
Rick N.
July 6, 2012 at 7:40 pm
It's so sad to read the Blacks in 2012 still look at themselves as being slaves. It must be a psychosis.
Rick N.
July 6, 2012 at 7:41 pm
Black liberals are mad because "one of them" got loose to freely speak his mind. Can't do that in the Democrat party. Bad, bad Ben Carson.
Allen E. Shaw
July 6, 2012 at 7:50 pm
Quack Quack
greg a jones
July 6, 2012 at 9:18 pm
This Guy openly calls for the socialization of catastrophic care, Then wants insurance companies to pick up only the small bills.
Does this Guy own shares of insurance stock? Like Roberts!
Anybody who can not define a natural right and a civil right has no business talking about and especially participating in political debate, The problem is No one knows what happened at the turn of the twentieth century, This all came Before!
July 6, 2012 at 11:07 pm
@Lisa McDowell, while I support universal healthcare, the reason most people do not have health insurance is simply because they cannot afford it. While I the understand the concept, I disagree with the idea of "penalizing" or should we say "taxing" to make healthcare more affordable, and I am aware of the appeal system.
While I find Dr. Carson's suggestions to be somewhat contradictive, he did point out that people are getting ripped off and receiving less care for what they pay for, and pointed to all the inefficiencies that have contributed to the rise of the costs of health care. It seems to me, from his perspective, that it is the healthcare industry that should be penalized instead of the people. Moreover, with respect to Justice Robert's rationale in the Supreme Court's decision, it appears to go against Congressional intent.
July 7, 2012 at 10:16 pm
Thought you all might be interested in this simplified version of the implementation of the "Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010," http://www.healthcare.gov/law/timeline/index.html. Encourage you to also read the actual U.S. Supreme Court opinion that was decided on June 28, 2012, http://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/11pdf/11-393c3a2.pdf. And here is a link to the law itself, http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/PLAW-111publ148/pdf/PLAW-111publ148.pdf. Best regards.
July 6, 2012 at 11:29 pm
Has Dr. Carson ever wondered why the government has grown so large? It is because the government needs to protect it all its people. The Founding fathers never envisioned the need for civil rights laws, laws to protect the environment, laws to protect the workers, etc. Most people know right from wrong but often choose to do things that hurt other people. If we did not have the government regulating drugs and our health care, many people would be harmed. It is unfortunate that the government has to oversee some much of our lives but human nature being what it is, we often hurt each other.
July 7, 2012 at 8:48 pm
Your analysis summarizes my feelings about Dr Ben Carson's teaparty-like comments regarding the Affordable Care Act that I saw on C-SPAN a few weeks ago. I was disappointed with Dr Carson's disregard for the have nots in society.
July 7, 2012 at 12:12 am
me112233 – Sexual practices in Africa are more 'extreme' than in the US or Europe?
"You go to Africa, and their sexual behaviours are far more extreme that what it is here in the US. The idea that men with AIDS think that raping a young virgin will cure their AIDS is just horrid, but that's what they do, and all they accomplish is giving AIDS to a 10 year old girl."
I can't believe you said that! Where do YOU live, in a closet?
#1 can you say 'internet pornography' – doesn't come from 'Africa' which is a continent and not a country.
#2 are you saying men don't rape children in America? Really? Men rape EVERYTHING in America including animals and babies. In fact, now, the women are too!
#3 Had you said, 'In South Africa, there are cases of ….' and I would have let that go, but for someone living in a country where some states have 55%-65% HIV/AIDS rates to slam Africa as a whole out of ignorance, sorry bro, can't let that go.
Let me give you some FACTS.
I live in Dakar, Senegal, West Africa where the HIV/AIDS rate is .06%. Actually now it's a little less than that. About 1/2 of 1% of the population. There's not a state in the US that has that low of an AIDS rate. And YES they test, all the time. My son is in high school and they tested him in school (twice!!!). I was surprised but there it is. They test everywhere, free. So it's not under reporting, it's LIFESTYLE. Muslims are not 'extreme' sexually and when you look at HIV rates in Muslim countries vs Christian countries (and you can double that for murder, rape, perverted crimes, serial murder, all the routine crime that goes on in so called civilized countries) you will see that all these social problems are small compared to the west.
So back up.
What irritates the hell out of me is all these Americans and Europeans come over here, to Senegal, (bringing their diseases with them!) where there IS NO HIV PROBLEM and staff NGOS who do nothing and hold international conferences in expensive hotels to talk about a disease that's an epidemic in their own country. Instead of wasting all that money in 'Africa' they should spend it in Mississippi, Atlanta, Houston, Detroit, Washington, DC, Baltimore and all the other places that have a 55+% HIV rate.
People in glass houses are such hypocrites.
July 7, 2012 at 12:48 am
I have been a long time and continue to be an admirer of Johns Hopkins neurosurgeon Ben Carson. And for that reason I will take the time to point out exactly why he is dead-wrong on OBAMACARE. If Dr Carson had given his opinion from the perspective of a medical professional or practitioner, I would not have dared to oppose his position. Very few can go toe to toe with Ben Carson on medical matters. But his opposition to OBAMACARE is based on his reading of the Constitution. I can tell you this about Ben Carson's reading of the constitution. It is a reading level one full semester below Fourth Grade. I will justify that harsh but unfortunately accurate judgment. This is what he says: "The government is big enough and intrusive enough as it is. If you go back and read the ideals the Founders had, you'll see they never intended for the government to grow so large. They said it is critical, if the United States is to maintain itself as a free and prosperous nation, that the people be well-informed and active in government. We're becoming a nation for, of, and by the government. As that continues, we become less of a "can-do" nation and more of a "what can you do for me?" nation." What he says about the Founding Fathers is not borne out by the historical record because the Founding Fathers had OBAMACARE for sailors. Ben Carson was a regular presence on the Lou Dobbs CNN show and when it comes to political issueshe is as near to a partisan political hack as you can get. You will never hear Carson complain about coerced vaginal probes for non-medical reasons when such governmental intrusiveness is advocated by Conservatives. But he calls the provision of medical cover for the uninsured intrusive. Carson participates in what politifact has labelled as the biggest lie of 2010. The downright lie that OBAMACARE represent an government takeover of healthcare. And the position Carson espouses, is not shared by most of his distinguished colleagues at Hopkins or by Medical Associations nationally or internationally. What type of a doctor decries the provision of healthcare for millions? These are not the thoughtful ideas of a compassionate doctor. These are the Palinesque ramblings of a partisan hack. And being clothed in scrubbs and hiding behind a surgical mask will not imbue these ramblings with more respectability than they deserve. And they deserve none.
Been there...
July 7, 2012 at 1:15 am
I respectfully disagree with Dr. Carson's assessment of the fix for the healthcare delivery system. From his commentary about separating the payer source between the government for catastrophic cases, and insurance companies for all others is difficult to imagine at best. The definition of "catastrophic" can be subjective, and there would be those whose treatments would be above the cap of the insurance companies, yet not reach the government definition, for example. What would happen to those left out except to experience what the current system offers?
I further wonder how many–if any–of the 2700 pages of the Affordable Care Act Dr Carson has read. I think very highly of three of the provisions: preventive health care, negation of pre-existing conditions, and coverage for children. Dr Carson's suggestions for electronic records is dated: as noted by at least one previous writer, this form of documentation has been in existence for years–and it is the physicicans who don't use them! They still hand write their notes and treatment orders!
This country has been crying out for change in the delivery of healthcare for years–now we have it. Let's work with it and revise as necessary as time goes on.
Roger Shouse
July 7, 2012 at 8:38 am
Thank you Dr. Ben! Detroit Southwestern High School's most famous son. (I'm a former SW teacher.)
Bobby G
July 7, 2012 at 12:21 pm
It's sad that most Americans don't understand the difference between healthcare reform and Obamacare. Although Obamacare
does include some healthcare reform. Healthcare reform has been in the making since the mid 90's. Its been a slow process but its
basically directed at reducing physicain fee for service. Which is
only a small part of the cost of healthcare. Healthcare in the USA
has long been a problem since the mid 1960's when Pres. Johnson
was in office. Unfortunately no political entities attempted to solve
the problem when it was much less of a problem as it is today.
It's has now become a financial atrocity and must be approached
in a rational manner that will avoid further economic turmoil. The changes in the medical system that has occurred over the past few years are results of insurance company rulings and changes in Medicare.
Bobby G
July 7, 2012 at 12:23 pm
I'm not sure if black people fully understand that when you are president of a nation of people, your job is to support all of the
people, not have a special interest in the people that are only
of your ethnic decent. That has been the problem with previous
July 7, 2012 at 2:23 pm
First of all…STOP expecting other people to pay for things you want. Period. Just because the cost structure of healthcare system in this country is broken doesn't mean you just socialize it so that everyone gets "free" healthcare.
The cost structure is broken today. Adding a government bureaucracy is supposed to somehow reign in and contain costs? If you believe that you're a sucker. Fix the cost structure and the rest will take care of itself.
I grew up with no health insurance and had above average healthcare needs. My mother worked 2 jobs, my father worked 1 while going to law school. We were poor but didn't know it and got by while we made a better life for ourselves. YOU DO THE SAME.
I disagree with the doctor on his idea on how to contain costs by making the government responsible for catastrophic coverage leaving only minor coverage to the insurance companies. Minor coverage should be made illegal. It is not insurance. It is a ponzie scheme and shouldn't exit.
A few summers ago my oldest kid broke her left wrist roller blading. I have insurance but looked at the final bill that my insurer had to pay when it came in the mail. $2,650 for an X-Ray, water cast and some ibuprofen. BS. Should be $250 and something I could put on a credit card and pay over time.
The only insurance that you should be able to buy is major medical. Like it used to be when I was a kid and the healthcare cost structure wasn't broken.
Fix the cost structure by making healthcare "insurance" illegal only allowing major medical.
fred hewitt
July 7, 2012 at 4:24 pm
Dr. Carson should realize that when the Constitution was written,
those noble men could not envision what America would become.
Did they have the foresight to realize that a person of Dr. Carson's pigmentation could have had the mental capacity to be such a capable and accomplished human being?
No. So, it took much more than four score and seven years for their descendants to rectify the discriminatory wrongs that were embedded in the document they produced. The Bill of Rights attempted to right some wrongs, but it took a lot of subsequent
social legislation to bring us where we are today. So The Affordable Care Act is just another attempt to bring social benefits to all in our society.
As for what God thinks. Only God knows! But if he is a just god
I am absolutely sure he/she would like all his/her children to have a the healthcare and other social benefits that our lawmakers and the 1% American enjoy-whether they be Christian, Jew, Muslim, homosexual, or even criminal.
I SALUTE THE HEALTH CARE ACT and I would vote for President Obama, even though I do not like how he is allowing the Israelis to treat God's children in the West Bank and in the Gaza Strip.
July 7, 2012 at 4:32 pm
What's wrong with Universal Healthcare? It must put a cap on specialist like himself so they don't make as much as before. Well, that's a good thing. Any more greed in this nation of ours will eventually cause it to crumble.
July 7, 2012 at 7:14 pm
How many of us could afford to pay out of pocket to see Dr. Ben Carson?!
Tom Anderson
July 8, 2012 at 8:11 am
I am astonished that so-called "well-educated" people would diminish a man, who happens to be black, for quoting the "founding fathers" since to have created the government in the first place compromise was necessary, specifically toleration of slavery.
Such compromise was needed in order to have a nation at all, and the moral contradiction was eventually resolved in the Civil War in which more than 618,000 whites died to restore the union and abolish slavery. Congress and the states passed the 14th amendment which fundamentally changed the constitution in a way that greatly expanded protections of the individual's rights.
When the Declaration of Independence says that "all men are created equal, that they are endowed . . . with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness–that so secure these rights, governments are instituted among men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, that whenever any form of government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the right of the people to alter or to abolish it . . . " what exactly in these words would the mindless critics of Dr. Carson object? The Declaration did not limit the moral claim to "white men" but to "men" in the broadest sense. It is morally obtuse of anyone to ignore what the document plainly says and what the words plainly mean.
The Constitution was not a flawless document–it managed still to delegate too much power to government and it assumed the moral right of some people to control with force the lives of others they had no moral right to control. That is a recurring problem today that is growing bigger, not smaller, as we see the apparent success of government-run healthcare.
Dr. Carson is by no means the perfect spokesman of those who wish to reduce the power and scope of government, but he makes an excellent point when he says government should not be encouraging dependency.
Paul H
July 8, 2012 at 7:04 pm
It's amazing how some people take ANY criticism of anything Obama does as a "vote for Romney". It's also amazing how much confidence some blacks have in government all of a sudden now that Obama is president — despite the FACT that he has not addressed a single black issue or concern — including sky high unemployment.
Dr. Carson is right. Once the government intrudes on personal decisions, we lose more rights. For some FACTS about ObamaCare, check out the following:
Paul H
July 8, 2012 at 7:10 pm
The minimum assessment will be $695 per person (but no more than $2,085 per family) in 2016, when fully phased in. The amount can be higher depending on income. But there are exemptions for low-income persons and others.
"Taxpayers with income below filing threshold": Also exempt are those who earn too little to be required to file tax returns. For 2011 — as previously mentioned — those thresholds were $9,500 for a single person under age 65, and $19,000 for a married person filing jointly with a spouse, for example. The thresholds go up each year in line with inflation, so those cut-offs will be higher in 2014, when the tax first takes effect.
The law says that the IRS will collect the tax "in the same manner as an assessable penalty under subchapter B of chapter 68" of the tax code. That part of the tax code provides for imposing an additional penalty "equal to the total amount of the tax evaded, or not collected." It also requires written notices to the taxpayer, and provides for court proceedings.
February 18, 2013 at 9:46 pm
To all of you pro Odrama supporters and anti-Repubicans:
Read this and weep.
The Affordable Care Act was a creation by The Heritage Foundation aka A Repubican think tank. This is the same health care plan that you so-called African Amerikkkans support.
Since you complained about the Republican party and Romney Care, which is the same as Obamacare, I suggest some serious reading on your part.
April 25, 2013 at 12:57 am
He's a republican and those are republican talking points. What's amazing is that regardless of race creed or color, gender or class they are monolithic in their sameness and perspective. Nothing to see here people, move along…
September 5, 2015 at 2:49 pm
None of them are burdened by leverage and yet several have generated double-digit returns.
September 6, 2015 at 6:33 am
When you sign up for Pure Leverage you will receive your very own blog that you are able to use right away.
September 6, 2015 at 6:47 pm
This program is built on real food, functional fitness, and hard-tested results.
The Grid Trend Multiplier review software
September 7, 2015 at 5:04 am
QUOTE=randy1953;94749I have my own private martingale
EA. the first thing you should do is bring down the multiplier to
1.5 it's too high at 2.
September 7, 2015 at 6:45 am
Mourinho may have called Man City's win 'completely fake', but there
are very real problems at Chelsea:. With so many fixtures yet to be played between the plethora of
sides in the bottom half of the table still not guaranteed survival, there are
going to be plenty of decisive twists and turns.
Live football on talk – SPORT ' Listen to exclusive coverage
from the latest.
September 7, 2015 at 2:38 pm
You will definitely go to the invaluable information concerning these websites it's the original can it of most issues
about the program.