Are we satisfied with the way things are or is it time for things to be as they should be? Representative Pete Stark has a health care proposal that is a possible solution to this very important problem. (See below)

WASHINGTON, D.C. U.S. Representative Pete Stark (D-CA), Ranking Democrat on the Ways and Means Health Subcommittee, today introduced the “AmeriCare Health Care Act” with the support of U.S. Representative Jan Schakowsky (D-IL) and more than 25 of their colleagues. AmeriCare is a simple and practical proposal for universal health coverage that builds on both Medicare and the employer-based system.

“Debates on healthcare tend to occur every ten to fifteen years, when costs rise to a level that attracts national attention. As we edge closer to our next discussion, the fundamental question before us is if medical care is a civic and social right like police and fire services, education, and national defense,” said Stark.

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Rogala joins Peter Rosten campaign as manager
by RAVALLI REPUBLIC

Darby resident Deborah Rogala has joined Peter Rosten’s House District 87 effort as the campaign manager. Rosten said she “brings invaluable experience as a public advocate” to the endeavor.

Rosten is the only announced candidate for the Democratic Party nomination to run for that seat in the state House of Representatives. Ron Stoker of Darby is the incumbent; he is being challenged for that party’s nomination by Al Milton, and they will face off in the June 3 primary.

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If President Bush’s 2001/2003 tax cuts are made permanent here’s what will happen: 1) the Joint Committee on Taxation and Congressional Budget office estimates a direct cost of $3.6 trillion over the next 10 years. The interest payment on this ‘new’ debt would be $700 billion per year. 2) Once the tax cuts are fully in effect, their annual cost (not including debt service) will be eight times what the federal government spend last year on K-12 and vocational education and about 10 times what it spent on hospital and medical care for veterans. 3) In today’s terms, this amount also exceeds the combined 2007 budgets of the Departments of Education, Homeland Security, Housing and Urban Development, Veterans’ Affairs, State, Energy and the Environmental Protection Agency.

Somebody stop the madness…just say no! (http://www.cbpp.org/1-31-07tax.htm)

Multi-billionaire Warren Buffett has been complaining for years that his taxes are too low. In June 2007, he said he was taxed at only 17.7% last year on his $46 million in income, while his secretary paid 30% of her $60,000. “The taxation system has tilted toward the rich and away from the middle class in the last 10 years,” Buffett, the nation’s third richest man, said.

Buffett did an informal survey of federal taxes paid by his own office staff, and the average was 32.9%, compared to his 17.7%. “There wasn’t anybody in the office, from the receptionists on, that paid as low a tax rate,” Buffett stated, noting that “I have no tax planning, I don’t have an accountant, I don’t have tax shelters.”

“It’s not right,” one of Buffett’s receptionist’s said. Hmmm….

The last four years (as MAPS President and Teacher) have been a huge education for me. Here are a few things I’ve learned: 1) Teaching is the hardest job I’ve ever had. 2) “No Child Left Behind” just doesn’t work. 3) Standardized testing suggests that there’s a ’standard student’ and - based on my experience - that’s just not the case.

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In the 1980 Presidential debates, Ronald Reagan asked the memorable question, “Are you better off (now) than you were four years ago?” Well here we are 25 years later and as our local and national elections unfold I believe the same question deserves to be asked and answered once again.

If you’re not better off, you’re not alone. Consider this: 1) The share of national income taken down by the wealthiest 1% rose from 14.6% in 2003 to 17.4% in 2005. 2) The real household median income in 2006 was 2.2% lower than it was in 1999. 3) A young person in their 30’s today will make 12% less than than their parents 30 years ago. (Sources, Newsweek and Vanity Fair)

Are the rich getting richer? You bet!

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