W.Va. State Employees Could Face Higher Health Care Costs
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Posted: 10:32 PM Nov 7, 2008
W.Va. State Employees Could Face Higher Health Care Costs
West Virginia state employees can expect to pay more for health care. While nothing is definite, a series of public meetings start in just a few weeks.
Reporter: Amanda Barren
Email Address: amanda.barren@wsaz.com
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CHARLESTON, W.Va. (WSAZ) -- West Virginia state employees can expect to pay more for health care.

While nothing is definite, a series of public meetings start in just a few weeks. The news comes on the same day the state Parkways Authority announced a toll hike could occur in the near future. The turnpike hasn't had a toll increase since 1981, but tolls are the sole source of funding.

Parkway Authority officials said tolls are down because of high gas prices. Furthermore, interest expense on bonds is up because of the economy, and all of this is happening as maintenance needs grow.

There will be two meetings so state workers can find out more about the proposed changes -- one in Charleston on Nov. 19 at the Civic Center and the other in Huntington on Nov. 20 at Marshall University's Medical School.

Latest Comments

Posted by: Rex Guy Vance on Nov 12, 2008 at 02:14 AM

Is our state getting like our federal that the fat hogs keep gettig fatter and fatter. Why do you always want to make it harder on the working man. Look at our Gov. have we not wasted enough.You want to close our school,up our taxes, up our insurance, where does it all stop.
Posted by: Anonymous on Nov 10, 2008 at 11:14 PM

i'm on care link they pay for 4 medications a month for me howevery i get 4 medications from prestera center if i get sick and need some other medication i have to do with out it or go off my meds from the center to get my other meds if i get sick
Posted by: Brenda on Nov 10, 2008 at 07:53 PM

As a teacher, I am glad to have the insurance at all. When my father passed away two years ago, they dropped my mother's insurance before the end of the month. Many people in WV are going without any medical care at all. I am willing to pay for my insurance even if it goes up. It's better than not having any insurance at all. Sometimes people who are blessed, forget how hard it is for people who go without.
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  • Posted By: Keith...gee, same old greed and envy...: COT, Dr. Sowell's note is self explanatory, it makes great sense. You make assumptions, he cites hard data and reality, what actually happened. If you had the choice of spending a dozen years of your life to become a doctor and make $100,000 per year, (Hypothetical example) or 4 to become a CPA, and make the same money, which would you choose? Sure, there are some who will do it for love of the profession, but when rewards are offered, more of the very best, most talented people enter a profession. When drug companies can make a profit, they invest in new R&D, life changing medicines. No profit, no investment, more death and disease. All is economics; you kid yourself if you think the world lives for pollyanna altruism. Ex: If you have a job, will you take a 50% pay cut for the "love of the job?" Of course not. Are you greedy? No, just making a smart economic decision. Same for doctors, R&D, etc..socialized medicine societies lead the world in nothing but equal misery for all.
  • Posted By: Keith...hey everybody, we lost a battle but hang in there: Stay strong, we must continue to fight against this abomination of a so called health care bill another day. Thanks to the 34 democrats who opposed it, thanks to all 176 republicans who opposed it. Clearly, the bipartisanship was in opposition; there is not one poll that indicates the public wants this bill to become law, this bill is a huge affront and offense to freedom loving people in WV and the USA. Honest people look at the lying, cheating, conniving, backroom deals, thuggery, intimidation, and are repelled. Stay engaged and get ready for November, your future and the country depend upon you now as never before.
  • Posted By: Thank you Republicans: Not a single one of you voted tonight to destroy our health care system. Thankfully, it may be the beginning of the GOP regaining their footing and doing the right thing again. Hopefully...conversely, shame on you democrat/liberals. I cannot wait until Nov. 2nd to get even with the democrat party for the harm they have done to the country and my family.
  • Posted By: Chris: We are seeing one of the most important votes in United States history. Yet one of the key players in this key vote are the WV Congressmen Rahall and Mollohan and WSAZ doesn't even report their possible tie-breaking switch of their vote. Please report to the WV public the stories that affect their lives most.
  • Posted By: Jim: Keith your health care plan carries the exact same ideas the Republican party interjected in to the current plan.I have to ask though do you have a doctor if so is he going to move or drop out of the profession if not then why would you not be able to keep him and as someone said to how low the other day it does not go into effect until 2014 and who knows we may all be dead by then,some by the stress of worring about how much it will cost them or if their grandkids may have to pay for it but what does it matter if your dead you wont see it or know anything about it
  • Posted By: To Austin: Right you are big govt means less freedoms we only have to look back to the explosion of govt after 9/11 to see that Patriot act allows them to do as they please and nothing is private anymore they can trace your cell phone request the records and claim it is for national security and these loop hole laws have trickled down to local agencies.Do you know that right now several states are pushing to be able to review your cell phone records to see if you are texting while driving and proposing $1000 fines if found to be true and that the new e911 call system acutally has gps capability to pick up cell phones with gps and in the middle east right now those govt can moniter your every movement inside your home thru your TV.What do you think the odds are that our technology is as advanced as theirs,wonder what all you are actually buying into with cable or satellite here and what are we really getting when we buy these electronics from these foreign countries are you 100% sure their not spys
  • Posted By: Keith...no problem, we just make it up as we go...: As democrat liberal Alcee Hastings recently said; no rules, no problem. Liberals behave this way, remember the election of Frank Lautenberg in NJ a couple years ago? By hook or crook, lying, cheating, buying votes, by any underhanded, shady, unethical means possible; Obama, Pelosi, Rahall, portraits of corruption. Sit your kids down and show them these people, teach them to never forget what has been done to them today. Obama's goal all along has been the abolition of private insurance, he has said it many times; it will be cheaper for your employer to drop your coverage than pay for your plan; everyone will be forced into the govt. system. High demand; low supply of doctors/care = shortages and rationing. Sure glad Obama gets to appoint the panel that decides what plan and care I will get, that is reassuring. Americans, if you love your country, your freedom, your children, set your faces towards Nov. 2 and vow to vote out everyone who supported this Obamanation, start with Rahall.
  • Posted By: COT: Keith,I am going to assume you made the post on March 21 @ 9:50 am,since you are throwing in the kitchen sink and making about three post per hour.At the end of your post you state " Goodbye doctors and nurses."My question is to where? There is no other country to go to that does not have government ran healthcare.Canada?Mexico?Germany?Spain?France?Oh,I know they won't go to England because as you point out they can only attract foreigners.Oh wait a minute,I guess we would be foreigners.My bad.And in case you have not noticed,there are a lot of foreign doctors right here in River Cities.We got trouble in River Cities folks,right Keith.Maybe,just maybe the next generation of doctors will get into the field because they genuinely want to help sick people and make a difference in this world.They will still make much more money and have a very nice house,a sweet ride,and take wonderful vacations so don't think young people will stop wanting to be doctors and nurses.
  • Posted By: Hey Get Ready: have you been to a hospital in the US lately most of the DR's here are from other and many from thrid world countries and if our system is so great how come we are seeing the nursing profession in such demand we are not attracting very many young nurses because of the pay I know serval hospitals in the area that charge the nurses to park so they can come to work just another fact of a broken health care system and the exploitation as you say maybe that will change NOW
  • Posted By: Jim: Austin as for insurance companies going out of business with 32 million people coming on board I dont see that happening.Employers not providing plans will pay a fine which should be a stiffer fine than the cost of coverage as for illegals immigration reform will fix that along with you have to be a citizen to have insurance to recieve care.you are right about insurance companies setting the prie they will pay but guess what they did pay the $83 for 2 81mg asprins and that is the reason they justify raising the premiums 40% a year cut this fraud out and see how much better we will all be.like I stated earlier and know one could explain my wife recently had a stroke and after checking other people that recieved the same treatment and their cost why is some of the services twice as much at one place than at another 1 service was $6000 at Ohio State medical and was $15000 where she had her procedure 1 reason $3000 of it was for college students sitting in to watch
  • Posted By: : It never fails to amuse me when I read the posts here and see the way some people's minds work,it is really easy to spot the far right fringe(lunatics),to read them is a kick.Better than the funny papers,well almost.Please don't stop,especially Bluebird and Kieth you all are hilarious.
  • Posted By: Austin: We all need to take another look at greece, over 50% of those employed are employed by the government and they are going bankrupt. Bigger government, democrate or republican equals less freedom and less money in your pocket to take care of yourself and your familey as you see fit. Like Nancy Pelosi said we're kickin down the door. Speaks volumes about their intentions doesnt it.
  • Posted By: Austin:To Jim: Jim the biggest problem I have with the new plan, if you dont have insurance you get FINED! Period. Ever notice how more and more the government is telling you what you have to buy...what ever happened to by the people and for the people. By the way insurance companies dont set the cost for healthcare they set what they will pay. Do you think medicaid and medicare get their asprin cheaper? Sure government doesnt waste money. Do you really thing that after a few years of this monster kicking in there will be many insurance companies staying in business? Employers will likely stop providing plans because why pay the cost? I also dont like the idea of people who are here illegaly getting govt insurance, I know you will say it wont happen, yeah sure how many illegals are getting more govt checks now. They say they will clean up medicare fraud to pay for this, why not do that first, no worries Im sure it will get better with yet another government program.
  • Posted By: Keith...one more thing...: Prius owners will get a quarter per mile discount off their IRS bill for saving the world.
  • Posted By: To Jim: Nobody said democrats. IT IS LIBERALS. They infect both parties. Read closely. No, I don't how many times have you heard that? The only bipartisanship exhibited in the current health care debate is in clear opposition; Democrats have huge majorities in both houses and without substantial democrat opposition it would have passed long ago. Republicans can not stop anything Obama is doing to us.
  • Posted By: Jesus Did It Anyway: I have always loved Jesus- He's my Hero. Yes, I know he was a little bit of a rebel. I am too. People were always gossiping about the evil things he did especially on the Sabbeth. I remember that when people talk about me. Jesus also didn't hesitate to break a rule or a law once in a while to do something good. I smile and think of him when I do it too. Jesus had more than a few enemies. I do too, but I realize those are people who have never taken the time to get to know me. Thankfully, I learned that from him. In fact, I've learned a lot from him over the last forty years. I'm proud to say he's my best friend - we've traveled some rough roads together over the years but he's alway there. He's never let me down. Yep, he's my Savior- I'm glad I took the time to get to know him.
  • Posted By: Ken: If the Government was really, really concerned about your health, they would ban all tobacco and alcohol products. These 2 items result in 550,000 deaths annually in the US alone.... Oh wait, the Government actually subsidizes these items and collects billions of dollars in revenue from them annually...
  • Posted By: Keith...ok here is my health care plan: Since the President's plan will force private insurance companies to cover everyone regardless of condition and force them to sell policies to all no matter the risk, and, they will be forced to compete with the federal govt., which does not have to meet a budget, be effective, do anything efficiently, spends money endlessly, etc...I would pass a law making it illegal for insurance companies to go out of business. That way you keep your doctor, if they haven't quit, and plan. I say we install sensors along the highways and chips in every vehicle so that every 5 miles driven = $3. The IRS, with 12,000 new inspectors, will collect this, in order to make all pay their fair share, and anyone in an SUV will pay $6. This money will be used to subsidize workers at insurance companies, but only at half their former wage rate, due to the exploitative nature of their business. They will be offered the opportunity to break rocks with sledgehammers for highway use as an income supplement, however.
  • Posted By: Get ready America, here is what is coming...: "In the long run, of course, such govt. exploitation of people ALREADY TRAPPED in a given profession tends to lead to FEWER young people entering that profession, but that does not prevent exploitation in the short run, which can include decades or the entire working life of existing practitioners. BRITAIN, FOR EXAMPLE, HAS HAD ONE OF THE OLDEST SYSTEMS OF GOVT. PAID AND GOVT. CONTROLLED MEDICAL CARE, LEADING TO A SITUATION WHERE IT IS HARD TO ATTRACT YOUNG BRITONS INTO THE MEDICAL PROFESSION, SO THAT A SUBSTANTIAL PROPORTION OF BRITISH DOCTORS ARE FROM THIRD WORLD COUNTRIES WHERE THE STANDARDS OF EDUCATION AND TRAINING ARE NOT AS HIGH AS IN BRITAIN...it is higher-paid workers whose specialized skills are not readily transferable who are more susceptible to being paid less than would have been necessary to attract them to their field in the first place, if they had known years earlier what their compensation would turn out to be." (Sowell, p. 532) Goodbye doctors, nurses.
  • Posted By: MAD: I HATE THE YELL ITS ALL ABOUT POLITICS !!!!!!
  • Posted By: To: Jim: Jim if you know the plan so well. Mail a list to WSAZ of 500 facts that this Obama Care has in it. Did you see that stack of papers? It is just not health reform in those papers. 500 facts LISTED in that "book" should be a cake walk for you, since you are so fimilar with it to want it to go through and no one in Washington seems to be. The abortion issue is just one amoungst thousands of issues. No average civilian seems to know much about it, we are watching the media and listening to the "Big Dogs" in Washington bicker back and forth. I do not even trust internet sites, because this is such an intense battle in America that you just can't seem to get the facts,a lot of sites are based on who is right and who is wrong. You may find a site that says they have it, but is it all there, is it someone adding to it, or someone taking away? We will never know because I think it is meant to be confusing. Thomas Sowell is just as much an opinion man as Glenn Beck. I want all the facts.
  • Posted By: Basic Economics, by Dr. Thomas Sowell: "Similarly sloppy use of terms often occurs in media and political discussions of taxation. For example, the growing federal deficits of the 1980s in the US have often been blamed on 'tax cuts' early in that decade. But, although tax rates per dollar of income were cut, the total tax revenues of the federal govt. were higher in every year of the 1980s than in any previous year in the history of the country, as a result of incomes growing by more than the tax rates were cut. It was increased spending which led to growing deficits-a fact concealed by sloppy use of the word 'taxes' which can refer to either individual tax rates or the total tax revenues of the government."
  • Posted By: Bluebird: It could have nothing to do with lack of health care why we have so many under 5 who die in our country. I am guessing it has more to do with the evil people who kill their children, the perverts who rape them and throw them in the dump, and the mothers who are drug users whose babies fight for life from birth. Then there are the ones killed in accidents and neglect. And let's not forget the ones who punish their children by starving them in secret. Free health care would not fix this. And abortion would not for certain target these worthless humans who commit these acts, so therefore does not justify it. Nothing justifies abortion. Do any of you think when you stand before God and He demands you give account of yourself that these feeble attempts to justify killing His children will get you anywhere?
  • Posted By: Jim: Yes I have heard of David Souter he came highly recommended to BushI by Rudman and everybody knows that appointment is made in line with the views of the president in office,just because one shows a little more sense than was expected is not the other parties fault.Do you know how many times I have heard lawyers say if we had Clinton judges or Reagan judges the decision would have been different.Souter was appointed by a republican but showed great sense when it came to the 2000 election that involved that same republicans son,to bad for all of us that he was on the losing end of that decision but then again so was that same sons mother she even stated he was not smart enough to be president but he was "twice".Back to the Partial Birth Abortion Ban unlike health reform it had 63 democrats that joined republicans in passing and it also had republicans voting nay and not voting at all so to say it is only democrats that favor abortion is not true and those are the serious facts
  • Posted By: : But the method of calculating IMR often varies widely between countries based on the way they define a live birth and how many premature infants are born in the country. The World Health Organization (WHO) defines a live birth as any born human being who demonstrates independent signs of life, including breathing, voluntary muscle movement, or heartbeat. Many countries, however, including certain European states and Japan, only count as live births cases where an infant breathes at birth, which makes their reported IMR numbers somewhat lower and raises their rates of perinatal mortality.[5]
  • Posted By: Big Earl: Hello good coal miner people of WV did any of you people see that story what said more people is watching the Cartoon channel than watching the news well it is no wonder we have these hippies and longhairs running things and beating people out of there jobs take that show with them three Eddies all with the same name this is what your kids brain turns into if they smoke there greenie dope people we are not talking about the cat chasing a mouse or a talking dog they made more sense than this bunch at the EPA I seen where a singer what done went and got above his raising and threw in with tree huggers Randy Travis is coming to the McCoy side of the river to sing well my dog digs up bones in the back yard and I dig up coal so them people at the music hall can turn on the lights and the mikes don’t waste your hard earned money people wait for when Billy Ray comes around.
  • Posted By: Jim Thanks Keith: I ventured over to a Thomas Sowell site and found a very interesting story since we are on the subject of health care and abortion.Abortion = the death of an unborn child legal term used in miscarries and Dr assisted. Yet the US has higher death rate for children under the age of 5 than western European countries with universal health care so is it right to stop abortion just to let kids die for lack of health care,seems to me as if we were against killing unborn babies then we would do something to make sure those kids when born would live longer than 5 yrs.
  • Posted By: Oh, I understand now...: Just because Nixon appointed someone they are a conservative? REALLY? Old wage and price control EPA Tricky Nixon? REALLY? Ever hear of Bush and David Souter? Jim, in order to be taken seriously don't post things like that. The Partial Birth Abortion Bans passed by both Houses of Congress were vetoed twice by Bill Clinton in the late 1990s.
  • Posted By: A message from the President: "The community of nations may see more and more of the very kind of threat Iraq poses now: a rogue state with weapons of mass destruction, ready to use them or provide them to terrorists. If we fail to respond today, Saddam and all those who would follow in his footsteps will be emboldened tomorrow." Well, what do you say to that?
  • Posted By: Jim to never forget: Liberals on abortion,you had better check and see who sit on the supreme court when Roe vs Wade was handed down if my count is right which I'm sure it is the vote was 7 to 2 of the 7 5 was appointed by Republicans either Nixon or Eisenhower 1 by Roosevelt and 1 by Johnson on the dessenting side you had 1 by Nixon and 1 by Kennedy so how do you figure it was the liberals who fought to kill an unborn child. Twice as many republicans on the bench and half of the dessenting votes came from democratic appointees What are you trying some more of the falsehoods that seem to be the norm thinking people will believe what you say without checking the truth. Typical republican
  • Posted By: Keith...HEY EVERYBODY, LOOK TO THE LEFT...: And you will see a story about a state agency using 5 million dollars of "stimulus" money to "go green." Can you believe this? National unemployment is at nearly 17% counting out of a job and give-ups, and all this so-called "stimulus" money, for "shovel ready" projects, is used for this??? Maybe they are going to shovel the old papers in the trash can, yeah, that will qualify, way to go Obama, you really know how to create jobs. If this was not so pathetically stupid and funny it would make you cry for the people who so desperately need a job and cannot get one, because NOTHING is being done to help them. Oh well, as the old joke goes, its job security.
  • Posted By: Gandalf: Seven years ago today, March 20, 2003, President Bush began the second war in Iraq. A sovereign nation who had done nothing to provoke an attack upon their people. "But they had Weapons of Mass Destruction" was said. Where are they? They have yet to be discovered. And at what cost? Nearly 5000 Americans have died to date, and countless thousands of Iraqis are dead. Women, children, and the elderly paid with their lives, and millions of homeless have fled as refugees. Never mind that this war has cost over $1 billion per day. And we at home quibble about paying for health care and abortions. War is an abortion of justice!
  • Posted By: Basic Economics, by Dr. Thomas Sowell: "Both in the private sector and in the govt. sector, there are always values that SOME PEOPLE THINK WORTHY ENOUGH THAT OTHER PEOPLE SHOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR THEM-BUT NOT WORTHY ENOUGH THAT THEY SHOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR THEM THEMSELVES. Nowhere is the weighing of some values against other values obscured more often by rhetoric than when discussing govt. policies. Taxing away what OTHER PEOPLE have earned, in order to finance one's own moral adventures via social programs, is often depicted as a humanitarian endeavor, while allowing others the same freedom and dignity as oneself, so that they can make their own choices with their own earnings, is considered to be pandering to "greed." Greed for power is no less dangerous than greed for money, and has historically shed far more blood in the process. (p.526)
  • Posted By: Never forget though...: It was democrat Bill Clinton who growled the loudest and signed welfare reform back in 1995-96. Maybe the thought did cross Sarah's mind-geez, you guys will stoop to any low in your pathetic attempts to impugn her-but what did she do? She had the child. And who was it that fought for the "right" to kill a child right up to the day of birth? That's right, liberals.
  • Posted By: Jim: Re:HEY KEITH although you use a very rare and unlikely situation in your question's to Keith and I myself do not believe in abortion you do make a valid point in the cost.I know that most republicans growl about welfare as do I but I see your logic why spend tax dollars for a life time when you can spend them once and be done with it,but is this right my thought is no but you do have your right to think what you want.We have to remember here even Sarah Palin said the thought crossed her mind both with her own child and her daughters and there are variables in every situations but like Keith said unless it is a matter of the life of the mother being in danger I dont see it.I know rape and incest cases rank up there in abortion rights people's train of thought but for a woman to go out and be sexually active and not take precaution's only to have abortions over and over again is not right and should not be funded by the tax payers we already fund preventions and they should take them
  • Posted By: to Ken: I hear WV now has nearly 12% unemployment, and we are still last in everything. Keep voting democrat for continued progress.
  • Posted By: Ken: I have lived in WV all of my life. I have come to the conclusion that West Virginians are fools, that is why we have nothing. We continue to elect idiots from the democratic party who do nothing but continue to turn WV into a giant welfare state. Byrd will soon be gone and Manchin will replace him. We need to get rid of Rocky and Rahall.
  • Posted By: Bluebird: God told Jeremiah in Jer. 1:5, "Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and ordained thee a prophet unto the nations." Who can know what plans God has for any child He forms in the womb except Him? God told Job in Job 40:7,8 "Gird up thou loins now like a man: I will demand of thee, and declare thou unto me. Wilt thou also disannul my judgment? Wilt thou condemn me, that thou mayest be righteous?" It is never right to kill an unborn child. NEVER! You cannot make it so no matter what lie is used.
  • Posted By: Hey John, hey Jim; hey Gandalf, where are you buddy? You alright?: John, is Cecil Underwood speaking to you from the grave now? Jim, how do you know the people at the gate generously throwing their money to the man were republicans? Sounds to me like they were democrats, throwing money away like that. Republicans are hardhearted, mean spirited, grinches who want to make ketchup a vegetable in school lunches and feed grandma Alpo. Get your facts right buddy.
  • Posted By: Big Earl: Hello good coal miner people of WV did any of you people watch the news today it would be a good day for a wig maker to be running around Washington DC with a pair of sissors and lice killer I aint seen so many longhair types in one place since 72 running around bothering the soldiers and sailors burning and looting and knocking over garbage cans did any of you people watch that movie Matewan Joe Keenehan talking about Reds and no you dopehead types not baseball that is in April these Reds runs around throwing little round bombs stiring up trouble I seen that on Matewan that man what played Daniel Boone died this week I had me a hat made out of a raccoon hide that reminds me of that Russian that used to come over here and visit Nixon Barishnakov was his name he wore a skinned badger on his head anybody what wore a hard hat in 72 voted for Nixon.
  • Posted By: Private insurance: Can somebody explain to me how I will be able to keep my doctor and my insurance, which I greatly like and prefer, when, as VP Biden just said yesterday, the government will be running the insurance industry? That sounds to me like the intend on taking over that too. I have heard Obama say many times over the past few years that he intends to destroy private insurance and have only the government. He said it. And on top of that, they are going to cut half a TRILLION dollars from Medicare, so our older folks won't get the care they need. I am really worried and if Nick Rahall supports this stuff I will vote for Spike Maynard.
  • Posted By: Keith...wow, who wrong can you possibly be? Stunning.: To begin with, rape is a horrible crime, but is a child conceived that way to blame? What about the millions of loving couples out there who would love to adopt? Did you even think of that before you consigned the child to the tender mercies of Planned Parenthood? Is choosing life a matter of insurance? How crass are you, really? Sure, lives are changed; but is there no help or healing? Can the same Jesus who healed the broken spirit of the woman in the bible not do the same today? I say He can. IF, and only IF, it is determined a mother's life is at stake, would I support an exemption; but you know what? I have heard of many cases of a loving mother willing to sacrifice her health for a child and carry it to term, and all is fine. You sound like Obama, when he said he wouldn't want his daughters "punished" with a child; shame on you. Despite what you think many who have unplanned pregnancies have their child, go to school, get great jobs, work hard and are successful. More PX to them.
  • Posted By: John: Big Earl, you continue to show your ignorance of Englishm and History. Their not there. If you want to talk about Commies you should look at the unions. Communist Russia had unions, China has unions. What good did it do for Russia? The unions in America are still putting forth the commie message. Earl, it is time to be a man and stand up for yourself. Don't hide behind big mouths like Dick Trumpka, you never see a pic of him with his mouth closed, and Cecil Underwood, who is just a blowhard. Look what the unions have done to manufacturing in this country. It has gone to other countries. The reason? It is not sound to pay a unskilled worker $70/hr to run a forklift, when you can pay less in Asia. If unions are soo great why do less than 7% of workers outside of goverment positions belong to them? Could it be the corruption?
  • Posted By: wallmart is a scary place: just writing to the shoppers of the Route 60 Wal Mart. If you find yourself in wal mart more than 4 days a week, beware of the secret shopper man they have working for them. I first noticed him peering through the vegtables at people, then I saw him walking frantic through the store in circles. At first it freaked me out, then I realized what he was doing. Why in the world would they hire such a strange person. Well one night I was in there with my children and he approach me and started to strike up a conversation, he asked me why I was in the store so much, at this point I knew he was trying to scare me from coming back or shopping there as much, it really made me upset, because the bulk of my shopping is done there. I am upset every time i have to go in wal mart because he is not a good secret shopper if he stops and gives hiself away like that, but i called and complained because he continues to follow me, and they said he is able to do that to all customers. Beware shoppers
  • Posted By: Jim to WWJD: Do you think Jesus would have stood and threw dollar bills at the leper at the gate like Christan Republicans did yesterday in Columbus Ohio to a man named Robert Letcher at a rally for health care,thinking he was looking for a handout and free health care only to find out he has health care was a college teacher,nuclear engineer and Cornell graduate. How do you think Jesus will see this?If this is the kind of religon you speak of then you can keep it.Did I not read somplace one time judge not lest ye be judged and how about heal the sick I think that was in the same book along with he that oppresses the poor to increase his riches and he who gives to the rich will surely come to poverty.And yes God did use water as a weapon one time because of the evil man was doing
  • Posted By: Hey Keith: Do you have children?If so do you have daughters? Here's a hypothetical for you say you have a daughter and she is raped at the age of 14 you have no insurance and no money for an abortion so is it fine to let your daughter bring a child into this world that has no chance of a decent life not to mention your daughter's live has been changed for ever not only because of the rape but because her future has been decided by a rapist unwed mother raising a child and still a child herself,stop and think this over then see if you would be in favor of a funded abortion or not.Would you be able to tell your daughter she had to have this child and dash any dreams she ever had because you dont believe in abortion knowing she was going to struggle and end up living off the system for the rest of her life never being able to provide for the child thus introducing another generation into the ranks of welfare that is public funded and will cost more in the long run to the tax payers
  • Posted By: Jim: Austin people will still have options there will be more than 1 insurance company.Yes I can see a company making a profit but 2 asprins costing $82 come on and the cost difference for treatment from 1 location to another being double or more and the cost for coverage being higher because of your location it all happens now,check the facts right now people who buy their own plans still pay 52% of the cost of their total care yet if they have a company plan with the same coverage they only pay 24% this is why people dont buy insurance on their own. Most countries health cares administration fees equal 5% the US is 11% why.Have you read the final plan if so tell me what part you dont like.Chances are if you work you will be covered thru work and we all know that ones who dont work are already covered thru one program or another that we already pay for thru taxes but the people who work and cant afford care right now are the ones that needs the help they are getting
  • Posted By: Great poll WSAZ: 77% against Obamacare, only 23% for it. Did you guys hear VP Biden say today that the government intends to take over the insurance industry? And you still think you will keep your doctor, and choose your care? Don't be a fool, call Rahall today and urge him to vote NO!!!
  • Posted By: Big Earl: Hello good coal miners of WV and there people and kin some of you people talking about the hospitals is ones what ought to shut up if you people would know your history you would know the great Harry S. Truman built the miners hospitals with the UMW of A as Joe Keenehan said on that movie Matewan they is them that work and them that don’t our former President John L. Lewis landed a haymaker punch on Big Bill Haywood of the CIO that was a bunch of commie fellow travellers what snuck into the country I heard the wobblies is marching in Washington DC this weekend and no you hippies Wobblies is not Weebles they don’t wobble and fall down put out your dope cigarette they are union people all you good people in the Capital watch out there are bound to be a smelly bunch of longhairs and hippie tree huggers what crawled out from under rocks there to Mother Jones would have layed a pole upside there heads.
  • Posted By: Austin:To Jim: Jim one difference is if you dont like your insurance you do have the option of changing insurers or employers if you want. When the government takes over ther will be no other options. NONE. To be honest smokers should have to pay higher premiums, just like if you live next to a river you pay for for flood insurance, since you do have a better chance of being a victim of a flood them someone who lives on a hill. And as for not going to jail if you dont carry insurance, you will be fined for not having insurance, and if you dont pay that fine what will happen? Nothing, I doubt it. What happens if you dont pay the IRS? They come after you, so why would this government agency be any different than the next. Bottom line is insurance companies are in it to make a profit, so decisions are made for that purpose. If your employer said they may or may not pay you this week would you keep working? Everyone in America can get health care, but just like anything else you have to pay for it.
  • Posted By: Austin:to Jeannie: Since you know this bill so well and there is no public funding of abortions in it, why was the Stupak amendment necessary? Secondly if that is how they took out funding for abortions then why did the same democrates say they would not vote for it because of plans from leaders to do away with the stupak amendment. All democrates not republicans holding up the bill, because of funding for abortions. But since you know it so well I'd like you to explain it to me and the democratic rep. who seem to think it is there also. Thanks.
  • Posted By: Mrs. Butterworth: AM I THE ONLY ONE THAT NOTICES JEANNIE NEVER GIVES AN EXAMPLE OF ANYTHING 'FAUX' NEWS BLAH BLAH BLAH KEITH GOT IT RIGHT JEANNIES POSTS ARE AN INSULT TO ANYONE WITH A BRAIN.
  • Posted By: curt: I just had a simple question ,since this is supposed to be a free country (wich we really know isn,t anymore)why cant bar owners make their bars smoking only and let all the whiners go to the non smoking bars where they wouldnt have to breath in my second hand smoke,of course if that were the case the smokeless bar would have 2 or 3 customers to the smokers bar having 75 plus customers .GO FIGURE?
  • Posted By: Foolishness: So a bunch of "world socialists" declare all the socialist countries far superior to the US in health care? Give them a choice and they show up here when the going gets rough. The problem with liberals and socialism is, that sooner than later you run out of other people's money; then what do you moochers, bums, etc...do?
  • Posted By: Support for Susan: I believe you were blasting Susan for saying "the health care reform was being blocked by Democrats who are not in favor of abortion." (Your words, Jeannie)She was reporting facts. That IS why the remaining Democrats have not voted for it. You are trying to pretty it up by trying to hide the intent. Susan was reporting NEWS.
  • Posted By: More What Would Jesus Do: Would Jesus use water as a weapon? Would he shut it off to dry, arid lands in California, putting thousands out of work, ruining crops, all for the benefit of some type of insignificant lizard or something? Would He then turn it on as a bribe to induce a congressman to vote for his "healthcare" plan? Would Jesus have to bribe anyone? Did He, ever? Did he lie, cheat, steal, connive, and perform every type of underhanded deed and arrange crooked deals to promote His ends? The Cornhusker Kickback. The Louisiana Purchase. Gator-Aid. Crooks; cheats; liars. Would Jesus tax you and me, then take the money and use it to kill unborn babies in their mother's wombs, especially after writing "Thou Shalt Not Kill?" Would he arrange to make a wavering person's brother a judge just to gain a vote? Would that be a just or unjust judge? You are right, he was kind, healed, ministered, but unfortunately that is not what this bill does or is about.
  • Posted By: Keith...ah ha, another pothead, I thought so...: Sure I watch Fox, and I notice you provide not one example of alleged "bias" while I provided 3 and have a half dozen more lined up. I heard Cartoon Network beat CNN and MSNBC in recent ratings. Fox is still #1. There will be public funding for abortions. How do I know? It is in the liberal DNA to abort the unborn; they fight for it, claw for it, lust for it, it is their sacrament. I will bet you any sum of money here and now that any bill signed by Obama will either have or come to include federal funding for abortions-I have listened to Pelosi and company as they boast about it; get it passed they say, we'll "FIX" it later. We know what that means. Rahall and other Stupak disciples are dupes. They will cave in. They are liberals first; if there is one thing a liberal will fight you to the death on, it is the "right" to kill the unborn. Your analogy is flawed; it is illegal to drive drunk. Drunks are breaking the law by driving. We do not build highways for lawbreakers and drunks.
  • Posted By: Jim: Re:Dont Worry Jim what you describe happens already so how is govt controlled health care any different the company I work for has good insurance but smokers have to pay more for their deductable than non-smokers and the going to jail spook is for morons that listen to everything they hear.Do the research universal care in France,Germany,Singapore and all 3 have better rated health care than the US.Even Rush Limbaugh will leave here and go to Costa Rica and guess what they have Govt run health care.We are suppose to be the greatest country in the world yet we let people die but send money to other countries trying to fix busted policies,use that money here why send billions to South America to fight drugs only to have more shipped to the US when that money could be spent here.I myself would rather my tax dollars be spent to help people in the US than to have it stole by some foreign Govt that does not keep its promise's.As for your kid comment check out yesterdays Cincinnati news paper
  • Posted By: Jeannie: I am very aware of the language. I repeat - there is NO Public Funding of Abortions. You have to adopt a very twisted logic to come to this inaccurate conclusion...or just watch Faux News I suppose. For example: Using the same logic, you could also say that because We the Taxpayer pay our taxes, which in turn funds the creation of our highway system, subsidizing our system of roads, enabling drunk drivers by providing the necessary conditions for fatal traffic accidents wherein drunk drivers kill innocent people. We the Taxpayers are funding the Death of Innocent People because we Fund the Highway System. It's the same difference.
  • Posted By: Jim: New lows,yeah I seen the story here's an even better one that cost them another vote or 2 protesters in Columbus where a rally was being held in front of Rep.Mary Jo Kilroy's office stood and threw dollar bills and belittled a former nuclear engineer with a doctorate from Cornell University treating him like a bum lookinjg for a hand out just because he talks slow and has limited mobility because he suffer's from Parkinsons disease guess these guys will be Rush's new hero's and the mother of the 11 yr old may not have died had she been treated sooner and had sought treatment which had she had insurance she would have no matter if it was last week or 2014 the mere fact that people cant afford the basic care they need is below us as a nation.And Bluebird the money we send Mexico for this lost war on drugs will cover health care and as we can see it is doing nothing to curb the drugs entering the US.10 billion so far this year $1600 a sec spent on the war on drugs and look at where we are.
  • Posted By: Bluebird: Bart Stupak (D) has refused to sign the bill along with several other democrats because in its current form, it does not restrict the federal funding of abortion. To which other members replied,"But we want to fund abortions". The reason? It is cheaper to kill babies than to raise them.
  • Posted By: ms: Jeannie, What are you smoking? Have you even read the bill?
  • Posted By: Jeannie: RE: SUSAN NICHOLAS/WSAZ reporting this morning. Susan Nicholas made a statement about the health care reform being blocked by Democrats who are not in favor of Public Funding of Abortions. I believe this statement should have been qualified with a more accurate comment with a basis in fact... something like - "There is NO PUBLIC FUNDING of ABORTIONS in the Health Care Reform Bill." I expect better of WSAZ and I am disappointed.
  • Posted By: Jeannie: Keith - Are you seriously pointing out that Andrea Mitchel said "WE." Have you watched Fox News lately?
  • Posted By: Donna: I am right with you on the electric bill!!! Since December my bill has been about $400...every winter month before that was never over $250. My husband and I are both WORKING and COLLEGE EDUCATED who are struggling to pay other bills because of this electric bill! We are looking into alternate sources of heat like gas, wood or pellet stoves. It is just a shame that the state of WV would allow this to happen!
  • Posted By: lee: why is wsaz ignoring the scott bias story? according to a county website in south carolina charges are pending.how can a so called "newsleader" not follow up on this?
  • Posted By: Bluebird: All of the posts (Keith's?) on health care are true. BTW, did you check out WSAZ's poll on health care? You should. Very interesting for a mostly democrat state? Anyway, what I wanted to add was an additional purpose of health care reform-it will draw even more masses from Mexico. And of course, the recent drug wars there are spilling over on to us, so it will have to be sooner or later we will have to take action. The end result was the original objective-to open the borders between US/Mexico/Canada, making us one, just as the EU, which we will combine with through the ruse of global climate control. We will be one big happy global community. And of course we are at war with the one group of people who stand in the way of that-the Pashtuns. Once we get them under control, nothing will stop us. Up next-in comes the Antichrist to rule us all. Yeah, I know, you think I am crazy. Margaret, do you support AGW? Because that is what you are paying for. It will get worse. & Cyberwar? Control.
  • Posted By: Margaret: Am I the only person struggling to pay the electric bill?I have AEP and my bill has more then doubled since January.I was so convinced that the meter was broke that I called and had it tested by an independant electrician.My bill was almost $700 for one month,and was never over $250 in the 5 years that I v lived here.I m told that they did a 30% increase on the electric.I v also been told that it was per kilowatt.During thease hard times ,recession,ect,how are we supposed to survive.And what about the elderly on fixed income.As well as disabled,single parents .I have talked to family members who say their bill has doubled or more.We need to stand up to thease large utility companies,maybe a petetion,calls to our state leaders ect.
  • Posted By: Phoenix, WWJD?: Well Jesus would...raise the dead, heal the blind, cure the woman with the problem with blood,cure the lepers make the lame walk, heal a withered hand,he would even heal the Roman officials servant. Jesus did not do these things because they DESERVED it he did these things because he had mercy on them. If Jesus does these things...isn't it our job to follow in his foot steps? Love and Peace Phoenix
  • Posted By: Hey all you liberals get your heads out of the sand: The President said "The community of nations may see more and more of the very kind of threat Iraq poses now: a rogue state WITH WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION, READY TO USE THEM OR PROVIDE THEM TO TERRORISTS. IF WE FAIL TO RESPOND TODAY, SADDAM AND ALL THOSE WHO WOULD FOLLOW IN HIS FOOTSTEPS WILL BE EMBOLDENED TOMORROW." That is what the President said, I believe him, you guys are pathetically ignorant of history and current affairs.
  • Posted By: Don't worry Jim you will get it: The Public Option will have to be there; the object of this bill is to put private insurers out of business, and completely control your life. If the govt. controls your health care, they can tell you what to eat, where you can go, what you can do, if you can own a gun, what type car to drive, what activities you can engage in; all under the threat of denying coverage if you engage in "risky" behaviors like smoking, eating cheeseburger, or owning a gun. People will have to have someplace to go, and a big government Marxist like Obama would only send them to one place-Obamacare. What will happen when you tell a private company they have to sell policies to everyone, bad risks and all? They will go out of business. That is the plan; then, you get Obamacare. If you don't buy, you go to jail. Medicare heartlessly rejects more claims than any private insurer in the country, yet liberals act as if the government is a haven of safety and coverage. Ignorance is our most costly commodity.
  • Posted By: Hey New Lows, get a brain...: Obamacare does not provide any benefits FOR 4 YEARS!!! She would have died anyway. Why isn't Obama concerned about these poor wretches, why do they have to die? Why do WE have to pay taxes immediately, for 4 YEARS before we see a single benefit??? Didn't the poor woman get care, in fact a lot of it, provided totally "free?" in our "broken" HC system? Well, I say free, I paid for it, along with other taxpayers. Some people simply have no shame. They will drag out a child who does not know he is being used by some of the worst, lowest, liars and cheats in the country to make their case for a government takeover of health care. And what will happen? 19 new taxes in this monstrosity; 159 new Federal Agencies. Your choice is taken away; you will not choose your doctor; your taxes go up; the cost is a TRILLION dollars; care will be rationed; you will not decide your own care. Under Obamacare, this poor lady would have been given a pain pill and sent home to die. Shame on shameless liars.
  • Posted By: Keith...if you only paid a little attention: Did you hear the reaction to Bret's interview? The buzz word was "contentious." I heard 7-8 different reporters from different networks label the interview "contentious." Collusion? Talking points? Independent reporting? Everybody says the same thing? Point is, Bush did get your type questions, i.e., factually incorrect and hostile, every hour of every day. Obama does not. So yes, it is commendable, in an environment where 90% say one thing, to hear someone ask a tough question. Remember Dan Rather of CBS using forged documents to discredit W? Remember Chris Matthews saying he got a warm feeling in his legs when he heard Obama speak? (YUCK!) Did you hear Andrea Mitchell say "WE have to get this passed" to a member of Obama's circle, talking about Obamacare? Impartial? Another example is Mother Sheehan; used by a media anxious to harm Bush, she is cast aside on the trash heap now that a liberal is president. Did you hear she is still protesting? Probably not, she is not needed anymore.
  • Posted By: to.. what would jesus do....: your words of wisdom was a refreshing analyse.too often we get into the every day cares of the world.the bottom line isGOD ALMIGHTY is the first and last word on how to live life,persue politics,treat your fellow man.GOD would not approve of gov.taking from,stealing from hard working productive people to let others live their ungodly lifestyles.the treasury will accept all donations from the so called do gooders who say everyone else should work longer hours,more jobs,but they refuse to give more of their money willingly to the treasury.you can tell who they are by the name calling they do.the churches have failed miserably in defining what GOd defines as charity.they to have perverted the teaching of charity.
  • Posted By: AintBuyinIT: how many of you caught the news cast where they commented about the NRA putting pressure on the legislature to pass the gun tax holiday...1st of all how dare the legislators be pressured by ppl who dont elect them...and how dare them to be so cowardly to stand up to these lobbyists and say i serve the ppl of WV not you...and how dare wsaz.com and its lame staff not to include in their report a response from the NRA when they questioned them as to why they pressured the elected officials of WV to do as they say...oh my bad(my attempt to be cool like wsaz)....we dont question those who may adverstise with our station or make comments that may tick off the governor of WV who will ban them from hanging out with him at the embassy suites...or simply b/c it requires too much effort to ask a question...BOO TO WSAZ...AND DBL BOO TO THE WV LEGISLATURE FOR NOT STANDING UP FOR THE PPL OF WV AND BOO TO THE GOV FOR NOT STEPPING IN BE4 THIS BECAME A VETO SITUATION...DIRTY ....DIRTY...DIRTY...DIRTY..
  • Posted By: Jesus would: Have a soul, be kind, give to those less fortunate. But what would I know I'm not a believer at all, it's just what I read some where.
  • Posted By: Pam: I think the government needs to redo the healthcare bill and include the following: TORT REFORM. There is too many frivolous lawsuits that need to be stopped. ELIMINATE pre-existing conditions. Make health insurance available across state lines. You can buy car/homeowners insurance this way. It would be more affordable.ELIMINATE FRAUD! In the Miami area alone, there has been 213 suspects arrested in allegedly frauding Medicare out of $185 million according to an AARP Bulletin published on 11/01/2000. The estimated losses from Medicare fraud range from $11 Billion to $60 billion. This money could go a long way on legitimate Medicare bills. We also need to focus more on JOBS in this country. Too many people have lost their job and are facing foreclosure on their homes. Lets keep jobs in the USA. A friend of mine who worked for AT&T lost his job because At & T laid off American workers and hired workers from India. Is this fair? I don't think so.
  • Posted By: Jeannie: You think the Obama interview with Bret was something to see; you should check out Bret's last interview with then Pres. Bush. My, my, my! Kid gloves and softball questions. "Are you going to write a book?"; "What are you reading now?"; "Do you believe that there hasn’t been a terrorist attack on U.S. soil in more than seven years because of the policies your administration has implemented?"; "Do you worry at all that the incoming administration will undo some of the things that you say have kept America safe?"; "You think you're a Reagan conservative or a Barry Goldwater conservative?"; "Do you think that you have governed as a conservative?". Why didn't he ask him "Why didn't you do something to regulate Wall Street because the 8 years of hands off approach did not seem to work so well?"; or "Knowing what we know now about nonexistent WMD's in Iraq, would you still have called for an illegal invasion that has cost many more lives than 9/11, an event which Iraq had no culpability?"
  • Posted By: New Lows: How low will these heartless scum stoop Limbaugh,Beck and Malkin tearing apart a 11year old for telling the story of how his mother died because of having no health care.A 27yr old woman with a treatable disease that can cost as much as $100,000 a year bcomes sick and misses work gets fired doesn't qualify for medicaid and cant get on states low income care because of a 100,000 person waiting list and Palin wants to talk death panels seems as if they already exist.Now they want to cry foul because this kid wants to tell his story,they dont want people to know what is really going on the same way they lied about health care in other countries.The kid spoke at a rally for health care much like the way Palin paraded her downs child around on TV it was fine then because of a word but a life being lost makes it different, its a sob story when a democrat does it and the kid is being exploited at least this kid knows what he wants to say and remember his mother is not there to speak for him
  • Posted By: What would Jesus do???: Would he lie, cheat, and con to get His "healthcare" bill passed? Would he pay bribes, connive, resort to the most base thug tactics imaginable just to get his way? Would he turn into little better than a common criminal, lying, cheating, making backroom deals, far from the light of day, just to get his way? If Jesus had sworn to uphold a Constitution and it's laws, would he break them at will and break his oath? Would he steal from people who obey the bible and work to provide for their own, and waste it wantonly? Would he compare the lives of one 14 year old to 14 eighty five year olds, callously calculating which one has more value to the state and therefore gets access to "care?" Would Jesus be a party to any of this? Would Jesus say the life of an animal is worth more than that of a human being, made in the moral image of God Himself? I don't think Jesus is anywhere near this nest of cheating, lying, conniving frauds.
  • Posted By: A special thank you to Bret Baier: Did anyone see the interview with Obama the other day? This interview should be used in journalism classes to teach the "press" how to conduct an interview. Clearly, Obama has no earthly idea what is in the Obamanation health care bill. Finally, a reporter throws Dr. Chicago a high and tight slider and it turns into "uh uh uh uh well I um uh uh well duh..." Nice chin music Bret, keep up the good work.
  • Posted By: Jim: Walt I wonder why since we have not 1 single republican voting for health reform why we took the public option out.Why are we reaching out for,it is evident they want nothing to do with this or dont want to help.They made the comment this would be Obama's waterloo but then they say it has nothing to do with him,I think he worked the bill expertly to gain the fledging democrats and here in Ohio alone people have pledged over 300,000 hrs of volunteer support for other democrats in the upcoming election.The last polls I seen show the support swinging in favor for reform by the people
  • Posted By: Basic Econmics and health care, by Dr. Thomas Sowell: "The cost of medical care is not reduced in the slightest when the government imposes lower rates of pay for doctors or hospitals. There are still just as many resources required as before to build and equip a hospital or to train a medical student to become a doctor. Countries which IMPOSE lower prices on medical treatment have ended up with longer waiting lists to see doctors, less modern equipment in their hospitals and in the case of Britain, a substantial proportion of their doctors have come from third world countries with lower quality medical training, because of an INADEQUATE SUPPLY OF DOCTORS WILLING TO PRACTICE MEDICINE IN BRITAIN. Costs have not been lowered for the same medical care. Lower prices have been paid for LOWER QUALITY CARE." (p. 501) "Most new life-saving medicines are developed in market economies, notably that of THE UNITED STATES, rather than in government-run economies." (p. 521) Good enough Andy? There's your death panel, aka Obamacare.
  • Posted By: To hey channel 3: where did you hear that rubish Rush or Palin look the pubs had their chance and didnt take it If it raises tax so be it they may recover what BUSH gave to his buddies when he chose to cut taxes for the rich and one thing to remember you have to work to pay taxes so why are you crying.We could finance health care with the money wasted on this so called war on drug that Nixon started and Reagan,BushI,BushII extended to the tune of 10 billion so far this year and it looks as if that wasted money is really doing good doesn't it
  • Posted By: Maryellen: Just viewed Carrie's story on Flea control medication. My dog has experienced an adverse reaction to a flea control product. Pet owners assume products are safe. I learned the hard way that they aren't. I had to rush my dog to the Pet ER at 2AM after applying the liquid. The medication had entered her nervous system, causing her to lose muscle control. I now only purchased Vet approved flea control medication. The higher cost is worth the peace of mind. I am happy to hear the medication will be more closely regulated. To some of us, our pets are like our children.
  • Posted By: Keith...hey Andy: Andy, there will be death panels and rationing of care; it is so simple a child should be able to see this. What happens when you add 30 million people to a system, drive private insurers our of business, forcing everyone to go the government; the government has an abysmal track record of maintaining service and costs; at the same time you have no increase in doctors and nurses, in fact several polls have indicated some will leave the profession, as they should, if the government takes over; what results is a shortage. When there are shortages, i.e., high demand, low supply, someone must decide who gets scarce resources. Who is that? This bill gives Obama the right to select a panel to make those decisions; the folks he has surrounded himself with are some of the most radical, evil, demented people imaginable, folks who rank animal life above human; compare the life of one 14 year old to 14 85 year olds; this is the death panel. It is you who are ignorant and need to become informed.
  • Posted By: CLR: Christina I don't care at all about the issue that you are arguing. What I do care about is you getting on here and speaking bad of people who have to rely on government assistance. There are many good people who simply can't afford to live in this economy that need help. That doesn't make them bad people. You are need to come down off your pedestal because obviously you havent ever been through a REAL hard time in your life. Sometimes you do everything right and things can still go wrong, or you get sick, or the economy sucks. Until you've been there and needed the help, you should keep your mouth SHUT (or your fingers OFF the keyboard- whichever applies.) Let me ask you- if it comes down to you swallowing your pride or letting your kids starve or be sick without medical treatment- which one are YOU going to do? Let your kids starve and be sick just because you are a snob about needing some help? That makes you a great parent (please don't miss the sarcasm)
  • Posted By: I Agree with Christina: Wow, you summed that up really well. Poor babies who don't have a voice being born to these losers who don't have a clue. Don't smoke, drink or do drugs while you're pregnant!
  • Posted By: Yes, John: I know all that. And they are good points. But as a bartender, you should have provided other attractions, such as a band to keep customers coming instead of thinking you could get it reversed and rode that horse until it dropped. I have a nephew who is a bartender. He did not mind the smoke-did not think about how much it was hurting him. But he is an old man now at 30. People will rebel at first and may stay home. Hang in there and they will be back. They like the social climate of a good bar. It can be had without smoke. And I would rather see 8 girls temporary out of work if it reverses the trend of being "in" to smoke to being "a loser" if you do and 10,000 young people choose against it who may have picked up the habit. At least now smokers still can go outside. If they don't give up this fight, it WILL become illegal. Then where will you be? Did you not care that those 8 girls were smoking the smoke of every customer who lit up along with their own? Is money that important?
  • Posted By: Costa Rica Ron: Ok it is my hope that the health care bill does not go thru it is not that I really care whether you all have it or not but we do not I repeat do not want that fat headed Rush here and I wonder why he would want to come here we have socialized medical care here so whats up with that,maybe he holds shares in some health care providers or the drug companies in the US that would explain the reason he is so against it or maybe he would not get free pills if they have to quit cheating the public with their outlandish billing just a thought
  • Posted By: Jim: Andy,welcome to the club glad to see that not all people are misled by the lies that she spouts here's another little know fact just 3 years ago when she was trying to secure funding for Alaska she was one of the top pushers for the global warming group stating that the water levels were rising because of global warming and Alaska needed the funding to combat it worse than any other state but listen to her now no such thing.She is a total farce and to think people wanted her to run the country when she's already proven she cant even run her own home maybe if she had put her kid before herself or job she would not have ended up pregnant at the age of 15, family values are to be a conservative trait so with that reasoning maybe her daughter is a little liberal we know she gave liberties to one little boy
  • Posted By: John: Hey freedom,did you ever take into consideration that smoking bans do cost bar owners and in many cases the very people you are trying to save jobs for many times lose them anyway,they knew the dangers when they took the jobs they dont have to work there and many bartenders rely on tips to make a decent income they are not paid minimum wage so if there are no patrons that means no tips and an 8 hr shift would pay about $30 I ran a bar and when the smoking ban was passed it went belly up in a matter of 3 months and the bartenders went from a good night of $100-$150 to less than $30 to nothing at all it is not the bartenders who propose these bans and everyone I hired smoked themselves as did 90% of the patrons which were regulars and the other 10% could have cared less but the health dept with all their wisdom put these 8 girls out of work and on welfare which the tax payers have to foot the bill for
  • Posted By: Christina: To Dave, I absolutely do not support abortion! It's not the womans or anyones right to kill an unborn baby. Again you have the right to choose life or death, but what right does the baby have? If the baby is not wanted then give the baby up for adoption, but don't kill the baby. And to George. You missed the point. If someone wants to smoke, or drink, that is their choice. However, the babies did not have a choice to smoke or not. Your wife chose to continue smoking before she got pregnant and continued smoking even after finding out she was pregnant. If she would have stopped then, the baby's would not have been in danger of stress. But after being born, they had to go through withdrawl, just the same as an adult. Now to MK, I've worked hard my entire life, have never been on welfare, and never received any free health care for myself or my children. I have to pay for our health insurance at the rate of $724.38 a month. Which we work to provide!
  • Posted By: Freedom is not Free: Someone pays the price for it. Smokers are behaving like spoiled brats wanting their right to smoke in a bar. The bar owner may want to decide whether to be smoke/non smoke. But what of the workers? With jobs scarce, they may not have the option of moving out of a smoke environment. You want the right to go sit for a few hours an evening smoking while you drink. Then you can go home. But these workers have to be there, night after night, breathing the smoke from possibly a thousand cigs a night, whether they are smokers or not. Paying the price for your freedom. Some may not even stop to think about how that is harming them as they work. When will people understand that they are not the center of the universe? Take your smoking outside where it harms only you as you are the ones choosing it. Stop believing we have the right to force others to breathe it. It use to be the in thing to smoke, so many young people tried it. If they now see they will be isolated, many will not choose it.
  • Posted By: Walt: The latest NBC poll (that I've seen...Tuesday March 16) says that 46% think we should pass Obama's health care bill, against 45% who think we shouldn't.
  • Posted By: MK: Curt you are absolutely correct about the cigarette taxes. I guarantee Christina and the like are enjoying free heath care for their children (CHIPS) which is funded purely off of tobacco taxes. You see Obama has already raised taxes for the smokers for this little increase in CHIPS coverage. Note: Most smokers do not make 250K.
  • Posted By: Margaret: Smoking ban.I understand why people dont want to breathe second hand smoke and all the problems that smoking causes.However I dont think that the lawmakers have the right to ban smokers from smoking.It should be a personal decision,a great comprimise could be easily reached and would be fair to all.Let the bar owners decide if they want to allow smoking in thier bar.If the owner decides that they want to allow smoking they would be required by law to place a sign on the door that states is is a smoking establishment ,enter at your own risk.It would replace the no smoking signs on the doors!Then people could choose whether they want to enter and breathe smoke or go to another bar that is non-smoking.That would make everyone happy.The smokers can smoke and the non-smokers wont have to tolerate second hand smoke.
  • Posted By: Palins Poison by Andy: Sarah Palin is a nit wit who spreads lies on every topic she speaks on. She claimed that Alaska produces 20% of our nations energy when it's actually under 3%!!! This is her OWN state! This woman was a breath away from being our VP! She claimed that the Christmas Day bomber stopped talking after being read his Miranda rights, which of course is not true and he has talked extensively providing info on all the points that Mrs Palin mentioned. She claims several times that health care reform will result in "death panels" which will decide who will receive health care. Just about every American is aware that this is a LIE and has been proven to be a lie over and over and yet she still uses this claim to put fear into Americans. I ask, if you have to stoop to lies and fear mongering to get someone on your side do you really have a leg to stand on?
  • Posted By: why i quit...: i used to watch wsaz almost exclusivly,not anymore.i generally flip thru and watch whats on their liberal agenda just to see if i,m wrong.very seldom am.tea party people are thought of as the perverted hollywood types,if you know what i mean.so i for one will be surprised if wsaz covers the taxed enough already people.on the other hand if you dont,wont work,are a drug addict,alchol abuser,lazy,live off other peoples hard work,they cant do enough reporting on their victimization.go figure.go tea party,decent people.keep on trying to get above the people who seem determined to destroy this country.wsaz,p.c.
  • Posted By: buck: What good does it do to evaluate a bill once it is passed on its merits? Can you say puppet on a string? Furthermore a 3000% drop is nuts. Mathematician not needed to know 3000% is totally out of this world. What this means is Obama has no idea what is in the bill. Obama said this already and still it’s being voted on. I just hope our congressman realize Obama is being a puppet on a string, but they don't have to be one to. Our president is trying to pass a bill that he is relying on someone else to write and he has not even read. I know our congressman read this page so please pay attention to what we the people want, and what Pres. Obama has admitted to. Again I say, he said we as well as he would know what was in the bill once it passed on its own merits, to include a 3000% decrease in premiums. This is totally not fair to we the people. I know there will be people who disagree with this, but again I say that is Obama's own words. He has no idea.
  • Posted By: what is...: how can you tell an anti semite from a muslim?can free speech even say the word anti semite?this administration seems to want to inflame the palestians against the israelies.whats with that?you dont put out a fire by throwing gasoline on it!!!!what is the end game for this administration?strange....
  • Posted By: to... hey wsaz...: are you kidding,that wouldnt be fair to obama,all the elitest liberals.some people might see the truth and be sorry they votd fo these reprobates.the truth shall set you free is a statement ive heard all my life,but free speech will hurt the cause.marxism,socialism,communism,etc.rules for radicals,tell boobs anything they want to hear but keep on with the cause.
  • Posted By: Drunken Sailor: Did anybody see the report today that said Obama and the democrats have added 2 trillion to the debt since he took office? I thought he was supposed to lower the debt. I also saw an NBC poll that said Americans dont want a government takeover of the healthcare system by a 48-36% margin, a clear majority.
  • Posted By: curt: it just amazes me to see that most of you smoking ban commy,s out their like the health department and others would like to make smoking illegal all together,and when this does happen one day as Im sure it will if things keep going the way they are in this country,then I hope you enjoy digging deep down in your wallet and purse to pay the taxes that we smokers pay on a daily basis ,because one thing is for sure if big brother isnt getting his money from us then he will steal it from everybody?
  • Posted By: Hey Channel 3: Are you guys covering the Taxed Enough Already (TEA) party protest outside Rahall's office in Huntington tonight at 6? I heard today that Obamacare will create 159 new federal agencies and raise taxes by over a Trillion dollars.
  • Posted By: Jim: keith your welcome,but now on a more serious note on this health care bill I know it is going to need work and I wish there had been more input from the republicans because I know they could have come up with good points if they had tried and we really do need reform.some of the cost vary so much from place to place as I told Bluebird my wife recently had a stroke ou8r local in state hospital which is 50 miles away from our home will not even give the clot buster shot which saved her life and allowed for the fantastic recovery she has had the other hospital we took her to 30 miles away out of state does give it which I am greatful for but the place is not that great you enter you take a #just like a diner and they call your # now serving #41 and you are waited on this shot is $15000 there the same shot at OSU medical center in Columbus is in the $6000 range can you explain that to me or can anyone
  • Posted By: obamas world...: give the muslim brotherhood what they want,take israels land .instigating more terrorism on the israelies.what will he cover up in indonesia?so many questions so few transparent answers.
  • Posted By: Sahara: What happened to Chris Olson? We just loved to watch the Morning Coffee Quiz?
  • Posted By: portsmouth citizen: I would like to see WSAZ cover the nut mayor we have in Portsmouth. She is trying to blame our fire dept and police dept for the problems in Portsmouth, while she gives herself a raise and remodeled her office. She forgot to mention that there is asbestos and mold so bad in the police station that officers are in as much danger in the building as they are fighting crime. She also forgot to mention that the fire department works their tails off to protect our city, and do not make great money, but do it with amazing passion. Before she blames these men and women, she needs to take a look at herself. She interupted a man very rudely that was speaking in front of a group, and when he said, maam, can you give me just a minute, she yelled at him for not calling her Madam mayor!!! What a power trip! We need to get her out of there! Come on WSAZ, cover this nut, and get the word out there!
  • Posted By: Anne: FYI to a few callous veterinarians in the region: Our pets are very dear to us. Unfortunately, when their bodies cannot be saved, and they have to be "put to sleep", some kindness would be greatly appreciated. Some reverance, consideration for the pet and the people involved, and basic kindness would be helpful in dealing with this horrible experience. Shame on those of you who do none of the above; a huge thank you to those of you who act with some semblance of respect.
  • Posted By: Keith...thanks Jim: No offense, I just didn't know what you were trying to say. Clarification is good sometimes. I have noticed the people who call names the most on here and impugn other folks intelligence are often the worst spellers, can't put a sentence together, often can't carry a coherent thought to completion, etc..but I often say "corpseman" now when talking about those folks in the Navy, just as a tribute mind you, no disrespect intended. I am going to study geography now, my family is planning a vacation to one of our 57 states, we just haven't decided which one, we just have to remember and take our asthma "inhilators" along so we don't get winded.
  • Posted By: plain as day: well i see wsaz,obama news has slowed,stopped free speech 3 days.
  • Posted By: george: to christina:support the smoking ban in your own home and keep your nose out of others business!! how bright you must be,for your info my wife had twin girls,and the doctor told her NOT to quit because it would cause stress on the babies. thats from a doctor which im sure by far your not!!! so you want to chrg. her with child abuse,how foolish are you!! you need to worry about whats in your own closet and not everybody elses!!!!
  • Posted By: Jeremy C: I agree with Christina though I'd go a step further and clear this up once and for all and make cigarettes illegal.
  • Posted By: Dave: @christina do you support a womans right to abortion? Just a question, I am curious. The health department does not have the right to make any laws, only elected offficials, elected by the people are supposed to pass laws. If the majority of people want a smoking ban, the ban smoking. But don't leave up to appointed officials in the Dept. of health. smoking is bad, but smoking bans are unconstitutional, and that is worse.
  • Posted By: Big Earl: Hello good WV coal miners and there kin did any of you people see that show on the PBS channel the other night about WVs own Rocket Boys Homer RoyLee Quintin and Sherman Odell can somebody at Governor Joes office tell these people down to the TV station to quit bumming money while were trying to watch the show last time it was WVs own adopted son John Denver singing Country Roads Take Me Home got interupted or WV adopted son John Boy Walton doing the talk over on the history of WV show getting cutoff who is the people that sits around talking on the phone in the back of the room you are trying to watch the show next thing somebody comes on trying to sell you a Edsel or a 200 dollar t shirt it is the working coal miner what keeps the PBS station afloat they ought to give all certified WV coal miners free Rocket Boy tshirts.
  • Posted By: Christina: I support the ban on smoking. All studies show the dangers of this recreation. Now; when is someone going to be bold enough to create and pass a law that charges and convicts woman who smoke while pregnant of CHILD ABUSE? The baby does not have the choice to smoke or not to smoke, but YOU do!
  • Posted By: Hey Everybody We Are All Getting A BIG RAISE!!!: Obama said that if his health care bill passes costs would drop an incredible 3000%!!! That means your boss will save sooooo much money under his system he/she can afford to give you a big raise! Now if you pay $1000 dollars a month for your coverage, a 100% savings on that would mean you pay zero dollars; a 3000% drop in cost would mean what, your employer saves or gets back from somewhere around $3000 to $30,000 dollars? No, I am not making this up; I heard Obama say it. Great news. Why wouldnt anybody support Obamacare. Boy that Bush sure was dumb.
  • Posted By: Keith...if you love your country and cherish your freedom, act now...: The way things should be in America: Barack Obama decides something is good for us, it becomes law. Period. Vote on a bill? Why? Read a bill? No need. Televise the hearings? What a joke. Barack says it, that settles it. Oh, Garydon, where are you now that there are real "faceists" at work? Folks, it will be a long, difficult fight this fall, but Nick J. Rahall must be defeated in the House election. He has carried the water for Obama and Pelosi on this Obamanation healthcare bill from the start; he was one of the first to endorse Obama; he is largely protected by WV media, who refuse even to publish his office phone numbers in order that you can call and voice your opinion; Nick and Nancy's bill raises 10 new taxes immediately; gives no "benefits" for 4 years; will ration your care, will raise your premiums, will limit your choices. Sound like a good deal? If you possibly can, log onto the League of American Voters website and contribute to the ads they are running...hurry, do it now.
  • Posted By: Jim: Keith,mirrows an often mispelled and mispronounced word for mirrors,believed to be attributed by an abbreviated note from an illusionist to his aide to line mirrors in a row to cause an optical effect of seeing the same thing over and over again much like the republicans telling stories whether true or not over and over again only to recant after the damage is done.Myself I use the word as a tribute to a person we both know who often mispronounced the word matter of fact he mispronounced so many words and made up so many that there was a term coined after him Bushism's
  • Posted By: Big Earl: Hello good coal miner people of WV and there kin did you people see where the WV Mountaineer basketball team is going to what they call the Big Dance well I say congratulations I heard them people from over on the McCoy side of the river is to well I bet Coach Huggins won’t be dragging a tree hugger around everywhere with him sticking a camera in her face ever time they call timeout as his Number 1 fan I say pack the muzzle loader and go hunt treehugger wildcat did you people ever read that story where our own Devil Ance Hatfield off the WV side of the river hunted wildcat with his bare hands he treed a bear to I read it in that book Story of the Devil hey you hippies and dopeheads head back over to Ohio and cheer for your buckeye nuts look out Shaggy it’s the WV State Police ruh roh Scooby hide the dope.
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