Obama told us what he was going to do

Since January 20th we've been bombarded with change. It seems that Obama is determined to toss everything we as Americans have believed in and practiced into the air. He's swatting some away into the nether regions, some he's letting splat onto the ground, ruined, and the rest he's catching, turning up-side-down, shredding, changing or handing over to the world for their playing pleasure.

I don't see how anyone who voted for him can complain. He told us all exactly what he intended to do when he ran for office. Unfortunately, most who voted for him either didn't pay attention, taking style over substance, or they didn't think he'd be able to do what he said. After all, most politicians don't do a fraction of what they promise.

This time it's different. He has a Democratic Congress that is giving him exactly what he wants, if not more.

[I started to write "the latest issue" but realized by the time I finished typing there would probably be another one or ten or fifty issues coming at us... So...] Yesterday we got word that our military was going to be even further undermined than suggested during Obama's first few months in office. Our government, who 'loves our military', is going to decimate their ability to fight.

Obama and his policies are weakening us in the eyes of the world and more importantly, in the eyes of terrorists. What is it with Democrats and military budgets? Every time we get a Dem in office they slash military spending. Then something comes up that stretches the military to the nth degree, a Republican comes in, shores up their resources... and the cycle continues.

In these days, as terrorists work across the world to kill and maim, it's ridiculous to undermine our capacity to respond quickly and appropriately.

Obama's statements in Europe suggesting and stating in various ways that we are weak certainly doesn't make me feel warm and secure.

It is so frustrating to sit here in my office reading and hearing the constant barrage of change that is ultimately going to destroy our culture. I plan to join the Tea Party, which may help me feel like I'm doing something. If we elect a sufficient number of Republicans in the 2010 elections that may help curb some of the changes, and even give us the means to reverse some of the changes Obama is enacting.

I have concerns about the honesty of future elections given other changes being made in D.C., but I'll save that for another rant.

Morning Bell: Ensuring America’s Decline
Posted April 7th, 2009 at 7.49am in Ongoing Priorities, Protect America.
Yesterday, Secretary of Defense Robert Gates gave one of the most radical speeches of the Post-Cold War era on American national security. Building off themes established in the 2008 National Defense Strategy written under President Bush, Secretary Gates presented what he described as “a budget crafted to reshape the priorities of America’s defense establishment. … a holistic assessment of capabilities, requirements, risks, and needs for the purpose of shifting this department in a different strategic direction.” Continue reading…

Nuclear-Free Hopes vs. Reality
Posted April 7th, 2009 at 8.44am in American Leadership, Protect America.
We weren’t the only ones that found President Barack Obama’s “nuclear free” Prague speech a bit too heavy on hope and a little light on reality. The Washington Post’s Anne Applebaum writes today:
Clearly, the “no nukes” policy is one close to the president’s heart. The Prague speech even carried echoes of that most famous of all Obama speeches, the one he made after losing the New Hampshire primary. “There are those who hear talk of a world without nuclear weapons and doubt whether it is worth setting a goal that seems impossible,” Continue reading…

Gates Seeks Sharp Turn In Spending: Defense Budget Focuses On Lower-Tech Weapons (By Greg Jaffe and Shailagh Murray)

Gates Proposal Reveals His Alienation From Procurement System (By R. Jeffrey Smith)

Sketch: Pentagon Chief Calls for Cuts; Congress Opens Fire (By Dana Milbank)

The Nuclear Illusionist
Obama's 'moral authority' won't deter Tehran or Pyongyang

Stephens: Obama's Unreality Tour
Barack Obama vowed to turn to the U.N. Security Council for strong action following North Korea's weekend missile launch. He would have done better by turning to Dr. Phil.

Lieberman-Obama honeymoon stops at missile defense - By Alexander Bolton
Sen. Joe Lieberman (Conn.) has tried to mend his relationship with President Obama in recent months but their reconciliation hit a snag Monday over ballistic missile defense. > Read More

Sharing a great post on Israel, Gaza, Hamas

Let me set this up just a bit before I share the blog.

A good friend, Gen. Jack Wheeler (ret.) started sending me some of the newsletters and other information he receives regarding the military. One of the newsletters, Multi-national Force Iraq (MNF), had such great articles I thought it would be worth following up to see if we could reprint some in our various military sections and blogs on the Fayette Front Page and Georgia Front Page.

I tracked down a general email and sent a request for permissions.

The affirmative response came from Fred Wellman, another friend. Fred lived in Peachtree City for a number of years and was actually running for Mayor when September 11th shocked us all. He decided not to run, re-enlisted in the Army, moved to wherever they sent him, and has now served three tours in Iraq. Last I heard he was Chief of Public Affairs, Multi-National Security Transition Command-Iraq.

We emailed back and forth a few times and in one of the emails he included a link to his blog, Armed and Curious, Home of the Heavily Armed Tourist. I check it off and on just to see how he's doing. The following is his take on the situation in Israel, posted Jan. 5th.

Of dumb rockets and dummer people
I have been watching the unfolding battle in Gaza very eagerly and with much less detachment than I think the normal observer would because of my intimate association with rockets after three tours in Iraq. It sickens me how much many observers are castigating Israel for finally responding to the withering rocket fire they have endured for 8 years in southern Israel.
http://armedandcurious.blogspot.com/2009/01/of-dumb-rockets-and-dummer-people.html

Military Alert: Will Obama go after TRICARE?

We had a call last night from a military friend who was concerned about reports that Barack Obama's administration was considering cutting or completely eliminating TRICARE for the military.

TRICARE provides comprehensive health care services for servicemembers, retirees and their dependents through a network of authorized providers and military facilities. It's an excellent program and allows our low-paid military access to reasonable healthcare.

The news that the Congressional Budget Office included numerous proposals to cut or eliminate TRICARE benefits for some or all of our military is burning up the wires in military circles. While the proposed cuts to TRICARE are only a small portion of the 115 healthcare options being presented to Obama and Congress, enacting any one of the proposals could have staggering affects on the bottom line for our active-duty and / or retired military.

I listened Sunday morning to George Stephanopoulos' (This Week) "interview" (and I use that term lightly, almost jokingly) of President-elect Barack Obama. One of the topics that George fed to Obama was that everyone would be expected to sacrifice. Obama expanded on the subject with a little prompting (see below for actual comments and a link to the full interview transcript).

I raised my eyebrow when I heard that one. I don't know of many who aren't sacrificing something already these days. Exactly what is he going to expect those barely hanging onto their homes to sacrifice? What about those without a job? Or is the "everyone" he's talking about only those who are above a certain socioeconomic level? Who's going to decide? There are lots of questions which will be answered over the next few years.

However Obama decides to spread the wealth and enforce sacrifices, I don't believe we should expect any additional sacrifices from our soldiers. The proposed cuts and changes (listed below) would take money from the pockets of retirees who gave their entire working life in service to our country. They worked for their benefits. They earned them unlike many others who get handouts from the government without any expectation of service.

Healthcare is the least we can do for our military. The idea that the incoming administration is even considering increasing costs, cutting benefits or doing away with TRICARE for many is disgraceful. It also flies in the face of the statements Barack Obama made during his campaign.

I'm hoping that everyone will put this issue on their watch list. If it looks like Obama is leaning toward enacting any of the horrific cuts to military healthcare being proposed by the Congressional Budget Office, we need to raise the alarm and make it a HUGE issue.

Here are some of the changes being proposed:

TRICARE FOR WORKING-AGE RETIREES– Fees, co-payments and deductibles would be raised for retirees under 62 to restore the relative costs paid when TRICARE began in 1995. TRICARE Prime enrollment would be raised to $550 a year for individuals from $230. Retiree families would pay $1100 versus $460 today. Co-pays for doctor visits would climb to $28 from $12 and users of TRICARE Standard and Extra would pay an annual deductible of $350 for an individual and $700 for families. Congress has declined to support such increases for the past three years.

FEES FOR ACTIVE DUTY FAMILIES– Dependents of active duty members enrolled in TRICARE Prime, the managed care network, would pay new fees equal to 10 percent of the cost of health services obtained either in military treatment facilities or through civilian network providers. Total out of pocket costs would be capped, however.

To help offset these costs, dependents would receive a $500 non-taxable allowance annually. Those who elect to use alternative health insurance, rather than TRICARE, could apply the $500 toward their health insurance premiums, co-payments or deductibles.

CBO estimates these fees would save $7 billion over 10 years and encourage Prime enrollees to “use medical services prudently.” It also would entice more spouses to enroll in employer-provided health plans instead of TRICARE. The downside, CBO said, would be financial difficulties for some Prime enrollees despite the cap on out-of-pocket costs. Also, CBO said, spouses induced to rely on employer health plans could see health coverage interrupted during military assignment relocations.

TRICARE-FOR-LIFE FEES– The military’s health insurance supplement to Medicare could see higher user costs. Under this option, beneficiaries would pay the first $525 of yearly medical costs plus one half of the next $4725 of costs charged to Medicare. So the extra out-of-pocket cost for TFL users would be up to $2887.50 a year. This amount would be indexed to rise with Medicare costs. The change would save $40 billion over 10 years. But CBO said it also could discourage some patients from seeking preventive care or proper management of chronic conditions. So it could negatively affect some patients’ health.

TIGHTEN VA ENROLLMENT– The VA healthcare system would be directed to disenroll 2.3 million Priority Groups 7 and 8 -- individuals who are not poor and have no service-related medical needs. Estimated savings would be $53 billion over 10 years but Medicare spending would rise by $26 billion in the same period as elderly among these vets shifted to Medicare. (Addded 1/16/09: Option 28. End Enrollment in VA Medical Care for Veterans in Priority Groups 7 and 8, page 56)

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CBO eyes military retirees, vets for health cost cuts
By Tom Philpott
A new report from the Congressional Budget Office shows why some military retirees and veterans could face higher out-of-pocket costs if the Obama administration and Congress take bold moves to reform the U.S. health system and to make federal health programs more efficient.
Among 115 “options” presented, though not endorsed, in the CBO report, several focus on raising TRICARE out-of-pocket costs for retirees and one for families. Others would tighten access to VA hospitals and clinics, or raise VA health fees, for veterans with no service-connected conditions...
http://www.fra.org/AM/template.cfm?template=/CM/ContentDisplay.cfm&ContentID=7397&section=news

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Proposed Tricare Cuts Could Cause Problems For Military Families and Retirees
January 7, 2009
It’s pretty much a given fact that the men and women serving in our country’s Armed Forces aren’t paid a whole lot. A large majority of them are living paycheck to paycheck, barely getting by. Many of our Veterans are in the same position, some even worse off, as evidenced by the numbers of homeless veterans in our country. When I read about this particular proposal to cut Tricare benefits for Military Families and Veterans I was none too happy...
http://soldiersmind.com/2009/01/07/proposed-tricare-cuts-could-cause-problems-for-military-families-and-retirees/

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From Care2 posted during the election:
Barack's Plan For Military Families
Source: my.barackobama.com
Six local military wives joined the roundtable discussion to speak about their concerns and to find out how Barack's plan to support Virginia military families will help them...
Elaine, a 46-year-old military spouse and mother of teenagers, is a breast cancer survivor – she was diagnosed two years ago and worries that if her husband retires, she will not have proper health care insurance available for her full recovery process. Her husband was enlisted and recently became a commissioned offer in U.S. Navy active duty. Obama’s plan will help Elaine’s Family by fighting for pay parity for troops, providing better support for military families during deployment. Obama has fought against cuts to Tricare, which serves active duty troops as well as retirees. Obama’s health care plan will provide affordable health care options to all Americans and will prohibit insurers from discriminating against patients for preexisting conditions...
http://www.care2.com/politics/42150

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Exerts from 'This Week' Transcript: Barack Obama
Go here for full interview: http://abcnews.go.com/ThisWeek/Economy/story?id=6618199&page=1

STEPHANOPOULOS: Let me press you on this, at the end of the day, are you really talking about over the course of your presidency some kind of a grand bargain? That you have tax reform, health care reform, entitlement reform, including Social Security and Medicare where everybody in the country is going to have to sacrifice something, accept change for the greater good?
OBAMA: Yes.
STEPHANOPOULOS: And when will that get done?
OBAMA: Well, the -- right now I'm focused on a pretty heavy lift, which is making sure that we get that reinvestment and recovery package in place. But what you describe is exactly what we're going to have to do.
What we have to do is to take a look at our structural deficit, how are we paying for government, what are we getting for it, and how do we make the system more efficient?
STEPHANOPOULOS: And eventually sacrifice from everyone.
OBAMA: Everybody is going to have to give. Everybody is going to have to have some skin in the game.

Obama's comments on Healthcare cuts during the Stephanopoulos interview:

STEPHANOPOULOS: So how do you pay for health care?
OBAMA: Well, you know, these are going to be major challenges. And we're going to have to make some tough choices. Now what I've done is indicated to my team that we've got to eliminate programs that don't work.
And I'll give you an example in the health care area. We are spending a lot of money subsidizing the insurance companies around something called Medicare Advantage, a program that gives them subsidies to accept Medicare recipients but doesn't necessarily make people on Medicare healthier.
And if we eliminate that and other programs, we can potentially save $200 billion out of the health care system that we're currently spending and take that money and use it in ways that are actually going to make people healthier and improve quality.

Honoring our Fallen Heroes at Christmas

I usually stick to politics in this blog, but it's Christmas and so I'm going to indulge myself. I listened this morning on Fox News Sunday as they talked with Morill Wocester, the owner of Worcester Wreath Company in Maine. I've heard about this many times over the past years and each time I hear it makes me so proud to be an American.

It shows not only the spirit of Christmas, it shows the spirit of our country.

One year Worcester ended up with extra Christmas wreaths. He can share his thought process much better than I so I'll just say that he ultimately decided to take 5,000 wreaths and lay them on the graves of our soldiers at the Arlington National Cemetery.

He has continued to make extra wreaths and do it every year since. His efforts caught the attention of Veterans, citizens who honor our vets and the media. Now people come from across the country to help lay the wreaths. He does not allow anyone to help pay for the wreaths, it continues to be his way of saying thanks.

As the truck carrying the wreaths moves from Harrington, Maine to the National Cemetery it becomes a parade of those who also want to honor our fallen vets.

This morning he mentioned his long-term goal is to get to expand the program across the country. If I heard correctly we're talking about over two (2) million wreaths. I think he's going to need a bit of help to reach that goal!

Here's a story we posted today on our Salute Our Military blog, our Military Matters blog and we made it top of the page on the Fayette Front Page:

The Wreaths Across America program is sponsored annually by the Worcester Wreath Company of Harrington, Maine involving thousands of Christmas wreaths that are donated for placement at Arlington National Cemetery and other military cemeteries across America.

Dave Niebes represented Fayette County Post 105 of The American Legion at Arlington National Cemetery again this year.

He is shown at the grave of Seaman First Class William E. Harris, a World War I Navy veteran from Georgia

During a special ceremony, Christmas wreaths were also placed at the Tomb of the Unknowns.

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This video tells more about the current project. I invite you to find out more and join in the effort:

Each year Worcester Wreath Company donates 5000 wreaths to be placed on the graves at Arlington National Cemetery to honor our Veterans during the holidays. This video was put together by the folks at Worcester Wreath, and President Morrill Worcester - to show why they do it. With images of Arlington, family and friends - this is one visual way of saying thank you - to those who serve, to those we've lost, and to those who made the ultimate sacrifice so that we can enjoy the freedoms of this Country.