This week Pres. Obama and the Democrats have made it clear that they’re going to push for the passage of government health care regardless of what the people want. This health care bill is a terrible plan but once the government has the power to control our nation’s health care system they will be able to change it to meet their goals.

No one thinks this is really a good bill, but this administration is determined to do whatever it can to get our nation’s health care under government control. This bill can collapse our economic system which will give Obama the opportunity to “fundamentally transform” our government to a more progressive or socialist economy.

The American people do not want the government to have control of our health care. Our system does need some improvement, but government control will make it worse not better.

Even though our system has flaws, it is still the best health care in the world. In one very public case, the Premier of Newfoundland came to the US for heart surgery instead of trusting Canada’s national health care system. That’s not much of an endorsement for government health care when one of the government leaders avoids it.

We seniors will be more vulnerable because under national health care any procedure you may need will be evaluated on cost-effectiveness based on your age and health. We already see some instances of this type of rationing under Medicare. These review panels are specifically mandated in the bill.

At Obama’s health summit recently, Rep. Paul Ryan exposed many of the true facts about the cost of this bill and how many expenses are being hidden by politicians. I have attached the short video of his remarks. To view it, simply click this link: Paul Ryan. No one refuted the facts Representative Ryan discussed.

There are still some Democrats who object to provisions still in the bill, such as abortion. They also know that most of the voters oppose government health care. However, Obama is summoning them to the White House in small groups and applying pressure to secure their votes. One representative from Utah even had his brother offered a federal judgeship appointment the same day he was to meet with Obama.

While there is still time, make your voice heard by your politicians. They know the people do not support this bill and we need to remind them that we’re watching and will remember their vote in the November elections.

Seniors will be one of the groups that will see the most rationing under this Government bill. I don’t mean to alarm you, but I do want you to have a fair warning. If we don’t look out for ourselves, don’t be disappointed when others won’t.

This past week has been a rough one. With earthquakes, snowstorms and the health care mess, I’m sure we all have had something to get upset about.

With that in mind I thought you might enjoy starting the week with a little humor for a change of pace. Simply click on this link; Bungee Jumping, for the short video.

I hope you enjoy it.

This past Friday as I watched Tiger Woods make his apology to the public, one particular statement really stood out. He stated “it’s up to me to start living a life of integrity.” Integrity is defined as “adherence to moral and ethical principles; soundness of moral character; honesty”. I wish Tiger the best of luck with improving his integrity. I only wish we could get more of our nation’s leaders to focus on theirs.

This past week Pres. Obama told us that the stimulus plan had been a success and the economy was improving. However, the National Governors Association at their annual meeting in DC, expects the next two years to get worse before the economy improves. Labor statistics still show unemployment increasing and federal economists  believe it will be five more years before employment levels will recover.

Obama admits the current national deficit is unsustainable, but he still has plans to ram his health care plan through Congress although it will add even more economic hardship. Harry Reid has been boasting that he’ll change the rules and pass it through the Senate using “reconciliation” which will only require 51 votes.

CNN just showed a survey that 86% of the population believes the “government is broken”. They are tired of higher taxes, bigger government, higher unemployment and less freedom. A Fox news poll shows 66% want health care put on hold until the economy is repaired.

Obama consistently strives to force more government involvement into our lives even as it erodes his popularity with the people. It makes you wonder what his honest goals really are, doesn’t it? Where is integrity when we so desperately need it?

Wednesday, February 17, Pres. Obama claimed his stimulus package had been a success that saved the economy had “created or saved” 2 million jobs. Polls show that only 6% of the population believes him. A new Rasmussen poll shows 61% feel “the federal government does not have the consent of the governed”.

The government unemployment figure is currently 9.7% but economists say if you include those who have given up on finding jobs, the real figure is 17%. Yet this administration continues to increase the national debt at unsustainable levels and the number of jobless continues to rise. The latest Labor Department figures for weekly new unemployment filings is at 473,000.

Obama’s runaway deficits are now threatening the national economy and our own living standards. Thursday, he is expected to sign an executive order to appoint a debt reduction commission. These “blue ribbon commissions” are usually set up to make unpopular recommendations and give the politicians cover from the voters.

It is expected that the results here will be massive tax increases that Obama has intended from the start. He has already admitted that he is now “agnostic” about tax increases on the middle class. The same middle class he constantly pledged would never see a tax increase under his presidency. Steve Forbes stated that he expects one of the probable results of this commission will be a huge consumption tax.

History has repeatedly shown us that the most effective way to create jobs and increase revenues is to lower taxes to encourage business growth. However, Barack Obama is determined to redistribute the wealth and punish the wealthy. Unfortunately, it is the wealthy and the small business owners who create most of the jobs in the United States.

Even with the existing financial crisis the Democrats are still trying to find a way to ram a national health care bill through Congress. Proof of this are recent statements by Nancy Pelosi and Obama’s “health care summit” meeting with congressional leaders planned for February 25.

National health care would only massively increase the amount of the national deficit at a time that it is already unsustainable. Politicians already know the public is against their current health care bill but they seem to be more interested in increasing their power than listening to the voters.

We need to keep aware of what these politicians are doing and take back our government with our votes in November. If you want to improve the economy, let your politicians know how you feel and that you’re watching them. They are in Washington to serve us, not dictate to us.

Right now it seems that 2010 may be a long year but hopefully in November we will be able to improve our situations with our votes.

It’s a great time to travel if you can get your car out of the driveway. I’ve got one cousin in New Jersey who has a glacier surrounding his house and another in California who has been dodging mudslides, so I know that isn’t much of an exaggeration for a lot of people. Texas and Mississippy are getting snow and even northern Florida is expecting flurries.

With this kind of weather across the country, I don’t think there are many who don’t wish you could be somewhere else for a change. If you are one of the lucky ones who still has any money left and the time to travel, you can find some great bargains now.

Because of the current economy, the tourist industry is really taking a beating this year. Even the Ritz Carlton in Las Vegas just announced they will close in May due to lack of demand. As a result most resorts are offering impressive incentives to lure those who are able to travel.

If you have been considering a trip, do some research and you should be able to get a very affordable and welcome stay. Please wait until the roads are safe and enjoy your trip.

I realize that right now everybody is focused on the Super Bowl happening this Sunday. However for your own sake, don’t forget the following Sunday, February 14, is Valentine’s Day.

You are probably concentrating on the big game while she is probably expecting a special Valentine’s Day since it will be on the weekend. I want to give you fair warning and offer you a friendly reminder to do your planning to give her a nice Valentine’s Day while you still have time.

If you need help with gift ideas, Amazon (affiliate link) has a Valentine Gifts section that should have many gifts that will make her day. From flowers and candy to jewelry, you’ll find lots to make her feel appreciated. Plus you’ll be able to enjoy the game more knowing you’ve got her taken care of.

I hope this helps and you both enjoy the game this Sunday and Valentines next week.

The government has just reported that 4 million jobs were lost in 2009 and there were 480,000 new unemployment claims in December. I don’t know anybody who can really make good sense from government data, but it is clear that we can expect a bad economy to last for some time yet.

Although this is a bad time for all of us, I know that many are in desperate situations through no fault of your own. Too many politicians today seem to promote policies that eliminate jobs instead of create them.

The best solution for you these days is to be as self reliant as possible even if it means changing your career. I know this can be a very hard decision but an experienced career expert, Alexandra Levit, has recently released a new book, New Job New You (Amazon affiliate link). She is an experienced career coach and a career columnist for the Wall Street Journal.

She shows you how to research a career that best suits you and how to market yourself for that career. This guide has a 5 star rating on Amazon and may be the help you need to decide how to improve your situation.

Things will get better but it will take longer than we would prefer. I hope you will find this information helpful and I will continue to pass on resources I find that may help you.

The election of Scott Brown as the new Senator from Massachusetts finally gives us some reason to hope for a reasonable approach to health care. At least the Rebublicans can now force open debate instead of helplessly accepting the Obama dictates.

I’m not telling you that the problems are over. The Republicans have shown us they can mess things up even when they control  Congress. At least the process should now be more public. Maybe that will reduce some of the vote buying and special interest provisions.

Medicare is still a prime target for cuts and you need to stay alert and voice your objections. The politicians hoped they could ignore the town hall criticism and intimidate us into silence. The Brown election has made them realize they still need to answer to the voters.

I know you have heard these points from many others, but if you are a senior you need to stay informed for your own defense. The Progressives surrounding Obama now realize what this November’s elections will mean for them and they are going to be desperate to push through their agenda before then.

Stay aware and remind the government it serves you not the other way around.

I’ve been trying to persuade friends over fifty to do their best to stay fit for some time. It used to be good advice but with the impending government takeover of our health care system, attention to fitness will be even more important for seniors.

The House version of the bill includes $500 Billion in cuts to Medicare in the first 10 years. The only way to provide coverage to the numbers they project is to cut costs and ration care. If you haven’t already heard, a main target for that rationing of medical treatment will be the elderly.

Remember the uproar over the “death panels”  which will decide what treatment you will be allowed if any? The democrat leaders are breaking their pledges to conduct their discussions on C-Span tv so the public could be assured of their good intentions. Instead they are plotting behind closed doors, even refusing republican leaders access. So much for “transparency”.

If this kind of behavior doesn’t persuade you to take some precautions, I wish you luck. For the rest of us, I think we will be best off if we keep ourselves as fit and healthy as we can.

I realize that unfortunately some of us aren’t able to improve their health and all of us will need medical attention sooner or later. However, if we try to stay as active and health conscious as common sense will allow, we can hopefully enjoy life more and require less medical attention.

With some luck next November’s elections will improve the direction of health care but helping ourselves is still a good way to start the new year.

I was ready to post a different message today but with Christmas being so close,  I’ll wait until later. I’m sure many of us are upset with politicians right now, regardless of party. Many are angry, many are unemployed and many are afraid.

We will deal with our problems and those who have deceived us, but for these next few days let us all be grateful for the good things we have. This may be a difficult Christmas for many of us but things will get better. For now enjoy your family, those you care for and celebrate the spirit of Christmas.

Take some time to rest and be happy, we are going to have plenty to fuss about after the New Year.

I wish you and your family a peaceful and very Merry Christmas.