Massey CEO, Environmentalist Face Off in Coal Debate
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Updated: 7:36 AM Jan 22, 2010
Massey CEO, Environmentalist Face Off in Coal Debate
Don Blankenship and Robert F. Kennedy Junior are certain they could win over the world if only the public could see mountaintop removal mining through their eyes.
Posted: 3:59 PM Jan 21, 2010
Reporter: Associated Press; Jessica Ralston; Kallie Cart
Email Address: news@wsaz.com; jessica.ralston@wsaz.com; kallie.cart@wsaz.com
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UPDATE 11pm
CHARLESTON, W.Va. (WSAZ) -- Tough talk during a debate that aims to move mountains. Thursday night, Massey Energy CEO Don Blankenship squared off against environmentalist Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. Their focus was a topic that truly hits home in coal country -- mountaintop removal versus the environment.

"This industry made this country great," Blankenship said. "If we forget that we're going to need to learn to speak Chinese."

"The overloaded coal trucks on the road, the coal dust, the bad air, the contaminated water... All of those things go along with mountaintop," Kennedy pleaded.

The welfare of the land is not the only sticking point in this debate -- it's also about the people and the state of West Virginia. Each side of the argument agreed that good health comes at a cost.

Kennedy said that he is not against underground mining, his problem is with mountaintop removal. He calls it a sin.

Blankenship says the real sin is taking away jobs and destroying families.

The University of Charleston was a packed house for the debate Thursday night, and every person there had opinions of their own.

UC's president said he hoped this discussion would bring people together, but the crowd was just as divided as Kennedy and Blankenship.

Many coal miners from Massey mines showed up in overwhelming numbers to show their support, and they left thinking Blakenship reigned supreme.

"I agree with him 100% that coal is going to be around; it has to be around for many years to come," Poncho Griggs of Van said. "I've worked in this job for twelve years and I haven't seen the first stream covered up and I should know, because I'm there."

Those on the other side of the issue thought it was clear that Kennedy wiped the floor with Blankenship's ideas.

"Blankenship didn't really say much of anything, I just think he was trying to avoid the questions," Chris Rodgers of Charleston said. "I'm for the people that mine, but I don't think they really know what they're doing to themselves and the community."

Many at the forum were stuck somewhere in the middle.

"It is a finite resource and we need to be looking for alternatives and in that respect I do see what Mr. Kennedy was saying," Danny Davidson of Charleston said.

In the overflow viewing area the crowd was largely pro-coal; in the auditorium where the debate took place it was split. The tickets there were given out to select people chosen by side.


ORIGINAL STORY
CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) - Don Blankenship and Robert F. Kennedy Junior are certain they could win over the world if only the public could see mountaintop removal mining through their eyes.

On Thursday, the coal baron and the conservationist get their shot.

Blankenship, the outspoken chief of Massey Energy, goes toe-to-toe with Kennedy, the celebrity environmental attorney. It's a fight for the hearts and minds of Americans who know next to nothing about coal.

The men will debate at the University of Charleston. Both men hope the conversation will carry beyond coal country.

Kennedy says Americans will insist on a ban once they have more knowledge of the issue. Blankenship says the fact that people will hear his message without media filtration makes it a win.

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Latest Comments

Posted by: Captain Scully and Brett Favre on Feb 11, 2010 at 12:59 PM

A lawyer and an accountant debating mountaintop removal? That's like Captain Scully and Brett Favre debating home schooling. On a positive note, less MTR will help the bottom from falling out in regards to the current price for coal. I've never understood how MTR can be economical, but that's just me...
Posted by: Anonymous on Jan 25, 2010 at 09:49 PM

I have read were other people haven't had their post's posted. Mine wasn't either. I guess ya'll are just a bunch of tree hugers too. I bet you don't post this either.
Posted by: Max on Jan 22, 2010 at 10:09 PM

Theses tree huggers are worried about what coal is doing to the environment what are the effects that necular power will have on it??????????????? Maybe these tree huggers need to go back to the old days and forget all this new tecnology and throw their cell phones and computers and so on in the trash and turn their power off, raise their own food and then see what they think about mountaintop removel. Oh I forgot they can't throw their cell phones and and stuff in the trash because it might destroy our enviroment. I guess they better not even go to the bathroom because that also might destroy it. Everything we do is destroying it. Oh next thing you know we might not be aloud to breath because we put out carbon-dioxide. Maybe we should get taxed for that. Coal is how we live here in Westvirginia without it there is nothing for people. No jobs and people won't be able to raise a family here. This is how we survive here, not everyone was born with a silver spoon in their mouth.
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The Yell: Comments this Week
The Yell: Comments for the Week of 3/7
  • Posted By: Keith...ok Jim, I'm going to bite...: What is a "mirrow?"
  • Posted By: Jim: Keith maybe you should do a little esearch from top republican economist before you spout off what you've heard Rush say go to the Logicizer political blog and see what the economist are saying and many were Bush's top advisors they all say the tax cuts had a negative impact on revenue gains,and that anyone who believes otherwise is pretty much a fool and compare the claim that tax cuts pay for themselves as snake oil salesmanship or as I like to call it smoke and mirrows
  • Posted By: Walt: The point is that at the national and international level you're dealing with an incredibly complex set of economic conditions and regulations. It is NOT as simple as "cut taxes, and then the economy will take off." There are a whole host of factors that contribute to economic growth, and the rate of taxation is only one of them.
  • Posted By: Jim: Keith more of your smoke and mirrows check the facts Bush 3 tax cuts cost the middle class more than the upper class.Share of the tax cuts were 15% for the 68000 to 97000 earnings range compared to 26% for the 335000 and above earners.Tax liability stayed exactly the same for earners in the 97000-136000 range 10.80%.Kennedy's tax cut worked because he invested in building many govt installations that put people to work Reagans worked because he invested it in govt projects that put people to work same with Clinton but when you come to Bush it was not invested in anything but war he cut funding in the wrong places govt installations falling apart.The very installations that Kennedy built Reagan and Clinton updated Bush let fall apart while searching for WMD's You can't deny the transportation industry and infrastruture have fallen apart while we have been in Iraq building theirs up with good old Brown and Root and their tax exempts jobs.As for econ101 that really worked at wall street
  • Posted By: Keith...hey COT, so you like those dam taxes?: Walt, I appreciate you point, but how? NY city is a perfect example. They have a tax-happy, spend-crazy mayor, Bloomberg, who has increased taxes tremendously. What has happened? Capital flight. Billions and billions have left the city and state for more non-oppressive, non-confiscatory, non-greedy locations. What happens to NY tax revenues? Like Elvis sang, Way Down. Same thing in NJ, billions and billions and billions have left the state due to greedy government punishing initiative and success. What happens next? From the sounds of things, huge spending cuts, if the Gov. is true to his word. Tax revenues increase when tax cuts are put into place. I simply don't understand why this baffles so many. If I am a business, and I have the following choice: Pay higher taxes, face more regulation, more demands, more costs, etc...in one state, or, the opposite in another, where will I go, if I can? And people actually sit around and wonder where all the jobs went? Wow.
  • Posted By: Anonamous: I have waited years to hear someone acknowledge the economy tanked under Clinton and came back under Bush. Spending is the problem, in all cases; Republicans who spent money like it was going out of style, Democrats who spend like they have a printing press in their back pockets, beginning in Jaunuary 2007 and continuing on to this day, that is the problem, not letting people keep their own money. What kind of a day do we live in when people kick and scream over tax cuts-maybe we are all closer to Marx than Washington-have any of you all ever been hired by a company? Do poor people hire you for your jobs? Do poor people pay your health care bills? My goodness wise up, if it helps your company it keeps you in a job and helps you.
  • Posted By: : And it was glorious as the fools when marching in.
  • Posted By: RoaneCo.: Come on Keith, man up and admit it, if you and your party had it your way the poor and middle class would be working for scrip and living in company houses.
  • Posted By: Keith...here is my new economic stimulus plan: Immediately pass a law that makes every business in American hire 50 new workers and pay them $36 (in honor of Harry Reid) per hour. If the prevailing wage in the industry, whatever one, is, say, $10 per hour, no matter, the difference will be made up by the government, by installing toll booths at 5 mile intervals on interstates, charging $2 at each one, and putting all money collected into a fund to subsidize the hiring. Great wages like these will mean more people buying cars and traveling more, so billions will be generated. No business will be allowed to go out of business; if there are no orders for a product or demand for a service, all goods produced will be warehoused for future use. No business shall be owned by an individual, but by all the workers; all wages will be equal, this will end greed and all labor strife; since each worker has a personal stake in the company and can depend on everyone else sharing the load, success will surely follow, just like Cuba, N. Korea, etc.
  • Posted By: Educate yourself about economics: Misconceptions: logical behavior is called greed; as if businesses will tolerate punitive taxation and oppressive, stifling regulation, instead of seeking a friendlier climate. They are blamed when the people who create the problem (liberals) are the culprits. People who have never ran a business, never met a payroll, have absolutely no knowledge whatsoever about how a private sector entity operates, have no idea about profit/loss, have never done anything of any substance in their entire lives, just get up and yell "hope and change," completely fool a bunch of dupes and rubes, who then turn around and deny the clear lessons of history about what works economically and what does not. That pretty much explains where we are at today and why. Tax cuts, i.e., returning money to rightful owners, is evil; spending trillions we do not have and mortgaging the future of our children is good; Washington, Jefferson, Adams, evil; Mao, Marx, Stalin, good. Economic knowledge is abysmal in the USA.
  • Posted By: Walt: Keith, the Clinton tax cuts of 1997 were followed by 4 straight years of declining growth, followed by a modest rebound from 2002-2006, and then of course followed by the collapse we're living through right now. Also, if you want to talk about good government, the Clinton tax hikes of 1993 (levied primarily on the extremely wealthy) were a key factor in making the balanced budget/deficit reduction years of the Clinton administration possible.
  • Posted By: Craveontruth: There is nothing wrong with taxes as long as you get something in return.For example; highways,dams,police protection,fire protection,national parks and HEALTHCARE.What's not good is when you pay taxes and get nothing in return.This is the case when it comes to the federal income tax on individuals.All of that money goes to pay the interest on the money that the central bankers loan us.If you want to get mad about taxes,get mad about the federal income tax.Just spend some time and research what I say.I can't understand why people get angry about a tax that they get benifit from and they don't get mad about a tax that they get shafted.
  • Posted By: Well, Liberals, where are all your success stories?: FDR? Turned a depression into a Great Depression that went on for 8 years. Cannot be denied; he had democrat majorities in both Houses. Where are your liberal success stories? Just one example of a government that spent it's way to prosperity, as FDR tried and Obama is trying; you cannot. However, conservatives can point to 1922, tax cuts and huge spending cuts, success; 1982, tax cuts and spending cuts, success; 1997, capital gains tax cut, huge success, and finally Bush. Can anyone explain how Reagan managed to oversee the creation of 21 million jobs in 5 years? Can anyone explain how the unemployment rate under W Bush was < 5%, considered full employment? How the market hit record highs, eclipsing the previous high under Clinton? The economy tanked after January 2007. Look it up; coincidence? No. Look at who took charge of the purse strings-Barney Frank, Gammaw Nancy, Harry Reid; and finally, the coup de grace, Obama. 200,000 jobs were lost the month Obama took the lead, 09/2008.
  • Posted By: Keith...Clinton's tax cut was after NAFTA: Jim: we are still in Germany and South Korea. Where is the conspiracy there? Blah blah to your Haliburton argument. Like I said, Clinton signed a tax cut in 1997, it worked, and you liberals cannot argue with it. Why give tax breaks to the rich? Because they earn it. The top 50% of earners pay 98% of the taxes. Simply put, liberal methods were used during the depression, which turned into the Great Depression for 8 years. That is liberal economics. Reagan faced double digit unemployment, interest rates, and inflation, all left by Carter; it was so bad under Carter a new term was coined: The misery index. Says it all. From 1983-1988 21 million jobs were created. Argue with that all you want. Your guy is at negative 6 million and counting. COT, gee, what baloney. Obama, a tax cut? There are at least 10 new taxes in his health care Obamanation. You guys simply do not understand economics 101. Out of control spending is what runs up deficits and destroys economies not tax cuts, which work.
  • Posted By: Jeannie: That's 2043, not 1943... showing my age.
  • Posted By: Jeannie: Political Trivia -- 1) 95% of us just got a tax cut a few months ago - from the Obama administration; 2) From 2000-08 - there was no net GAIN in the number of jobs available; 3) Sarah Palin (as an Alaskan resident, living in close proximity to Canada) admitted she went to Canada for some of her family's health care; 4) The "pimp and prostitute" in the ACORN videos were not dressed as "pimp and prostitute" when the went "undercover" to ACORN offices - but the videos turned over the Fox were edited in such a way as to lead the viewer to believe this was so; 5) Liz Cheney and Bill Kristol ARE attacking lawyers for representing accused terrorists. Liz is lying when she says the controversial ad is about transparency; 6) Repubs passed many bills using Reconciliation; 7) Repubs are pretending to be Great Protectors of Medicare - they would like to greatly reduce govt support of Medicare with plenty of fact-based evidence to refute this claim; 8) The Stimulus creates/created jobs.
  • Posted By: Jeannie: Rubbish to all the tax cut arguments supposedly increasing employment and boosting the economy. We don't have to look to history to see that tax cut policies DO NOT WORK. As I and everyone else recalls, Bush II enacted a huge (and irresponsible) tax cut early in his 1st term. Our current economy and employment numbers reflect the failure on this often defeated "trickle-down" theory. If tax cuts trump everything and are the main path to growing economies, what is our country doing in the mess that it is now? If the current trend on income gaps between rich and poor continues, the USA will be more like Mexico in terms of income inequality in the near future (1943). The number of millionaires increased by 16% in 2009 - as the rest of us see our net worth fall (due to stagnant wages and falling home values). How long does this country have to put up with elected leaders and conservative media's severe case of cognitive dissonance? Just say NO to CORPORATOCRACY!!
  • Posted By: : Tax cuts work when they are given to the workers,we are the ones who will spend the money,which creates jobs on the supply and demand theory.Look back at our history,whenever we have been at our best it has been when the middle class has been doing well.Middle and lower class children getting good educations and therefore becoming competent workers,expanding the tax base and increasing the upper class holdings.Why give tax breaks to the rich?They already are doing good,perhaps to expand their plants overseas,maybe to enlarge thier extravagant lifestyles,or to leave thier heirs more,the repeal of inheritance tax pushed by the republicans comes into play here,so people such as Paris Hilton,can live a more,if possible,decadent lifestyle?And also the tax cuts by the republicans were part of the plan to destroy our govt.the govt.expanded under Regan,and both Bushes while there was less money to work with.While republicans say they have the good of the regular people at heart,they don't
  • Posted By: Jim: All the examples you give for tax cuts but 1 was not in the middle of a war and the one that did come in war time ended up being a reconcilation vote that was broke by ChaneyThe very same Chaney who stood to make millions from the war and got to keep more of the millions because of the tax cuts.When you cut taxes you have to spend the money you do have to create jobs here at home not to line the pockets of Haliburton or Brown and Root. Overseas tax exempt work does not pay into the reserve so it can not be built up to further enhance the economy.Why do you think Bush had no exit plan he would of stayed there 100 years if we could have afforded it.The mere fact that we were not in and out in less than 18 months is beyond me.We have the technology to shoot a satellite out of orbit from the deck of a ship and cant find 1 6'5" Saudi running around with a kidney machine strapped to his back or have enough sense to tell when a Sunni is lying about weapons.Give me a break smoke and mirrows
  • Posted By: Hey Keith: Where are you from welfare reform did that actually work I see the same people using food stamps that were using them when Reagan was president.
  • Posted By: Jim: Keit then explain why Bush's tax cuts didnt work and we went from a surplus to a deficit, cutting taxes during a war will not work. You have to cut spending and it has to be done in the right areas and cutting job producing spending on infrastucture to pay for a war is a sure fired disaster as we have seen.Yes tax cuts help stimulate the economy if people spend the extra money or use it to start businesses and hire people to pay more into the tax base but if they act as they are now it does nothing as we are seeing.The key factor is behavior an after seeing us go from a surplus to the dive we took after 9/11.People are tighter with their money and after watching wall street squander live savings it will be awhile before people spend again that and the initial start up cost to many businesses with all the homeland security issues and red tape makes it hard on small businesses to hireYou say spending is the answer but yet when the govt spends you complain if the govt dont who will
  • Posted By: Craveontruth: Obama is cutting taxes and giving tax credits for the middle class.People who make $250,000 or more a year are going to pay more tax.How many people do you know who make $ 250,000 ayear? Let me guess,cut taxes for the wealthy and they will take that extra money and create jobs.Well we tried that with Bush and our economy still crashed.The examples of Reagan and Kennedy were before NAFTA.If the rich get a tax cut they might open a business alright,in India.The scare tactics of raising taxes is so typical of the Republicans.Starting a war that cost Billions of dollars a year and decreasing tax revenue was fiscally irresponsible.
  • Posted By: Best Economy Lesson: Walt's statement "investor behavior cannot be reliably predicted" nails the problem. It doesn't matter if you raise taxes or cut, what is going to happen is what the power elite wanted to happen to start with. That is what it is about. Are we in trouble? I told you about the new $1 billion embassy with surrounding moat. And then there is the %9.3 million for Harvard to make robotic bees. And this foolishness goes on and on. The lawmakers have already spent enough money arguing health care to have paid for it all. When will we realize we are just a nation of sheep with a government of wolves? We are at their mercy while they make happen whatever they want to happen or who is next in line for the latest million $ award. One invented crisis after another because that is what they want. And we buy it. Wake up, America. We are just pawns and endless money flow for government and big business.
  • Posted By: Walt: Re: tax cuts....again. The tax cuts of 1982 resulted in a temporary growth of GDP up until about 1985, whereafter it steadily declined, going down to negative levels in 1993. Median income growth also fell over this same period, while unemployment grew. You may also have noticed that the Bush tax cuts of the 2000's (which overwhelmingly benefitted the top 1% of income earners) did not stop the country from sliding into the worst recession in modern memory. Tax cuts for the wealthy benefit the wealthy, certainly, but the numbers do not support the idea that tax cuts for the wealthy benefit those at the lower or lowest rungs of the economy.
  • Posted By: Keith...alright Roane County: You make a good point, but Constitutionally, we must have a military provided by the government, which requires taxation. I don't think anybody is saying end all taxes, but, do you think you pay too much, too little, or about right? Do you look at your pay stub every week or two, and see what you lose, and thing, wow, what could I do with that if Barack, Harry, Nancy, and Nick weren't taking so much and wasting it on every conceivable wasteful thing? What would you buy? I would get myself a new Buick Lucerne, what a beautiful automobile. That is how it works; allow people to keep more of THEIR money; let them spend, invest, hire, etc...and stand back and watch the economy boom. Every person hired pays taxes. Employers pay taxes on those hired. Capital gains from investments are taxed; the more activity you have of this nature, the more revenues are returned to the treasury, EVEN WITH REDUCED TAX RATES!! (See Basic Economics note below) Buy more, put more people to work. Wow, how simple
  • Posted By: RoaneCo.: Common sense? Give take breaks to the rich and big business so they can do what? Invest even more in foreign countries? Hire more cheap foreign labor? If I have said it once I have said it a millions times, until the middle class of the UNITED STATES have good paying jobs and money to spend our economy will never turn around. Face the facts, the greed of big business has ruined this country. Do you really think giving them tax breaks is going to bring back our steel mills and our Levi jeans? Do you really think this country can survive on low wage, part-time jobs without benefits? Good luck with that.
  • Posted By: Walt: That's the point: your "simple common sense" argument rests entirely upon assumptions about consumer and investor behavior. You can't reliably predict what will happen.
  • Posted By: Hey Walt: Simple common sense Walt. Keep more money, spend more money; hire more people; pay more taxes; invest more; economy grows. Simple.
  • Posted By: Walt: read the CBO Revenue and Tax Policy brief of October 9, 2002. It points out that an upward bump in economic activity (and therefore a bump in tax revenue) cannot reasonably be credited to a tax cut, because investor behavior cannot be reliably predicted, and in any case depends on an enormous number of other factors. Also, the idea that tax cuts, over the long haul, do not pay for themselves doesn't come from me, it comes from the 2003 Economic Report of the President, prepared by the Council Of Economic Advisors.
  • Posted By: RoaneCo.: Ok conservative geniuses, if tax cuts will solve all our economic problems why don't we just eliminate all taxes. Let's try it your way, let's become a tax free nation.
  • Posted By: Keith...now come on COT: You really think tax cuts don't end a recession? How many examples must I give? Kennedy, Reagan, Clinton, Bush; all cut taxes, all saw economic gains and increased revenues to the treasury. The key is spending, as Bush 1 found out; those tax hikes he gave in on to Gephardt and Mitchell didn't work out because they failed to cut spending in the Congress. Where are the examples of tax cuts failing to jump the economy? Deficits result from NOT CUTTING SPENDING. Spending bills originate in the Congress, not the White House. What helped Clinton? Conservatives balanced the budget, passed welfare reform bills, and tax cuts which he signed. Good government. Tax cuts return money to rightful owners. Raising taxes always results in people changing behaviors; spending less, investing less, hiring less; and guess what, trickle down economics does work-those with money quit spending, investing, etc...and many others find they have no job. Buy Dr. Sowell's book, Basic Economics, ASAP.
  • Posted By: Walt: I would guess you are insured through your employer. I also work at a company in WV that has out of state employees on the company policy.
  • Posted By: Craveontruth: There are only two scenarios really.Our government will slash spending and raise taxes,pushing us into a depression.Or our government will keep printing money and eventually destroy the value of our money.Either way,there are some very difficult times ahead of us.It is time you get yourself ready.Gather with your neighbors and get a support group together.You are going to need each other.Stock up on everything you can think of.Don't forget the toilet paper! Get your rear moving,you don't have much time.
  • Posted By: Craveontruth: Walt's posts on March 12th at 10:34 and 10:14 am are very much true.Good points Walt.
  • Posted By: Big Earl: Hello good WV people did you people see that story on Channel 3 about how the state of California that Governor don’t have no sense he is giving out a license to grow dope just like WV people get to drive a car that give me a idea hey Gov. Joe how about lets make hippie and treehugger licesnses and sell them for a thousand dollars each then tell the longhairs they have to go to Columbus to pick them up and not let them back in when they come back that way we can keep these people out you people at the State Police your doing a good job thank you keep a eye out for a groovy looking 72 Chevy hippie van painted up like the Mystery Machine on Scooby Doo with Shaggy driving and smoke blowing out the windows hey you hippies and greenies enjoy your Grateful Dead 8 track on Highway 66 heading home to Sanfrancisco.
  • Posted By: : Jim ,I also was a republican years ago and was wondering if you feel like the party was hi-jacked from under you?I called the party reps,and voted for those who seemed to hold to values of responsible government,responsible companies and responsible citizens.But somehow it just slipped away and I also seemed to find more in common with the democratic party.It seems that now,unfortunately,the same thing is happening to the democrats as the good of the country seems to take the backseat to issues that should be personally controlled,and have nothing to do with jobs,infrastructure,affordable and accessible health care.I starting to think independent may be the only way to go,and possibly the way I should have gone a long time ago.Also I'm just curious did you get a answer that made any sense from bluebird?
  • Posted By: Basic Economics: "When the federal tax rate on capital gains was LOWERED from 28 to 20% in 1997, it was ASSUMED (watch out!) that revenues from the capital gains tax would fall below the $54 billion collected in 1996 and the $209 billion projected to be collected over the next 4 years, before the tax rate was cut. Instead, tax revenues ROSE after the capital gains tax rate was cut: $372 billion were collected in capital gains taxes over the next 4 years. PEOPLE ADJUSTED THEIR BEHAVIOR TO A MORE FAVORABLE OUTLOOK FOR INVESTMENTS BY INCREASING THIER INVESTMENTS, SO THAT THE NEW 20% TAX RATE ON THE RETURNS FROM THOSE INCREASED INVESTMENTS AMOUNTED TO MORE TOTAL REVENUE THAN THAT PRODUCED BY THE OLD 28% TAX RATE ON A TOTAL AMOUNT OF INVESTMENT THAT WAS NOT AS LARGE." (p. 396) Now this happened under Clinton, so you liberals have to believe it. It also happened under Reagan and Bush. Tax cuts and spending cuts are tried and true, unquestionably proven ways to end recessions and depressions.
  • Posted By: Newsflash: I misspoke as well. I meant to say that I live in Ohio & work in WV & own a WV insurance policy. My husband does also.
  • Posted By: Paging Dr. Rahall...paging Dr. Rahall...: The American people clearly do not want Obamacare. Gallup reports that while 46% approve of Obama, 45% now disapprove, and those numbers are heading south quickly. WV does not want a government takeover of the health care system. Why are you refusing to listen to us? Why do you care more about Nancy Pelosi than the people here? Americans indicated by a 70% margin they are satisfied with their health care. Why do you want to destroy it? Have you cut some type of deal in secret that you should share with us? The other day Senator Dick Durbin, D-IL, said anyone that tells us our premiums would not rise under Obamacare is LYING. Are you lying to us Congressman? Is Obama? Why would you support a bill that increases taxes immediately, but offers no "benefits" for four years? Will your family have to suffer under this system? Everyone should call Nick Rahall today at 1-202-224-3121 and tell him that Judge Maynard is a viable, respectable candidate who will have your support this November.
  • Posted By: Keith...tax cuts are the sure way out of recession, tried, proven and true...: Not a single example Walt? Telling. The Bush tax cuts actually increased revenue INTO the treasury. When revenues coming in increase, debts are paid off. Typical liberal; all the tax money belongs to the government. There must also be a corresponding steep cut in spending, and this is where most fall short. When people are allowed to keep THEIR money, they spend it; they hire people, who pay taxes; they invest in capital projects, the economy grows. Liberals simply are ignorant about economics. They do not take into account human behavior, i.e., what you want to encourage, you subsidize; what you wish to discourage, you tax. The most sure way to tank an economy is to raise taxes, which is just what Obama is doing. "Healthcare" taxes go up immediately; "benefits" show up maybe in 4 years. Reagan's tax cuts kicked off a massive 5 year boom that created 21 million new jobs. Wheres Obama at? Negative 6 million? But-oh happy day! Harry Reid, D-NV, celebrated "only" 36,000 lost jobs in Feb.
  • Posted By: Phoenix: To Terry-Should a child suffer because a parent can't pass a urine test?Take a parent of three kids off welfare and what happens to those three kids?Does this increase thier chances of entering the system and increase the chances of entering the system earlier? Wouldn't that just mean more money spent on welfare?I'm asking because I don't know. Ideally, people wouldn't spend welfare money on drugs.But then again, ideally, people wouldn't need welfare, right?That is an interesting idea,although it may be subject to anti-profiling and racial bias laws.I think if you recieve aid you should also have to serve a bit of time per month doing community service or volunteer work for some non profit programs in order to recieve benefits.hopefully this would help promote self worth and positive growth to the community.
  • Posted By: Bluebird: Jim, I am sorry about your wife. What an upset that would be. I hope she is better soon. This will be my final reply. I want to finish my spring cleaning and I am weary of the attacks. All I can answer is it is planning ahead and choices. Who you put your faith in, who you choose to make payments to, what you will seek treatment for (and my family knows my wishes), and what is most important in your life. Keep active, eat healthy, etc. If you do not have everything in debt, be willing to sell off possessions. All I know is I take Jesus literally at His word and He has never failed me. He knows my needs and He supplies. Are there darker days ahead for me? Maybe, if it is His will. If so, I know where to go. And it will not be a politician. I don't want a global "Animal Farm". I know about the pigs.
  • Posted By: Walt: I misspoke, actually. I should have said insurance companies are free to pay whomever. Apologies.
  • Posted By: Walt: Newsflash, that's not the same thing. Insurance companies are free to bill whomever, but you as a WV resident (assuming you are a WV resident) cannot buy a health insurance policy in KY or OH, because you are not a resident in either of those states.
  • Posted By: Jim cont: assumption of weapons of mass destruction along with 140 fellow workers.Learned right then to never trust forecast and promises from elected offials,the owner of that company was a real player to the Bush WH and was promised contract work for yrs to come to bad it was not Haliburton or Brown and Root I worked for so I changed parties seeing the good during Clinton and the bad during Reagan an the Bumbling Bush's was enough for me to Kknow where my alliance should be. There is good and bad in both parties and I have changed my outlook and plans for the future.Now on another subject you said you paid for your health care as you go.I just revieved the bill for my ife having a stroke in Feb at the unexpected age of 48 and I dont know how anyone without insurance could come up with $62,000 to pay as they go tell me your how you do it I realy need to know I have a good job and make good money but I don't have 62 grand laying around to pay as I go nor do very many people I know
  • Posted By: to liberal anon...: how can i tell u r liberal u say...u didnt give 1 fact but couldnt contain your self with insults that had nothing to do with issues.what do you think of o,s communist,marxist,socialist czars for instance.what about the gov.owning,controling 75 percent of alaska,whare we could drill and be energy effecient,but will gladly destroy this country.what about coal,what about illegals,what about terrorist,the muslim brotherhood,etc.but these things arent important to a liberal who wants to control people and name call without one fact.liberals are so transparent.
  • Posted By: Newsflash: Insurance companies already make claims across state lines. Policies also alreayd go across state lines. People from Ohio go to doctors WV & KY. A lot of people in the tri-state go across state in lines to the doctors. This is nothing new. I work in Ohio & I have a WV policy. I am not the only one.
  • Posted By: Jim: Bluebird you make good points in the standard of living debate and I know what your saying,back when I was a staunch Republican and I was raising my family and things were good I feel into the trap of getting what I wanted when ever I wanted always watched the outlay to income ratio keep it in the 30% range had all the bells and whistles then along come the latter Reagan yrs and Bush 1 and just like that it was gone.Then along came Clinton brightest days of my life regained everything and could afford it kids cars,boat,camper,race cars,new home, motorcycle,college,growing retirement funds.Then along came Bush 2 and 9/11 retirement took a major hit job played out because of the cost to the company for national security expense and govt funding cut for infrastructure and maritime construction which we were highly involved in and before I knew it it was a sell-off again only this time I didnt fair so well.I watched what was predicted to be great yrs go to absolutely zero because of the
  • Posted By: Walt: there's two things nobody ever mentions of carrying medical insurance across state lines. 1, the fed is in charge of regulating interstate commerce, so any way you slice it there will still be federal regulation of health care, and a whole slew of new legislation and regulatory agencies intended to deal with it. 2, what will happen is that health insurance companies will incorporate in states that allow them the most freedom to reject claims, that have the lowest standards of minimum care, and that have the least rigorous oversight of the medical profession as a whole. And the reason they will do that is because it will be cheaper FOR THEM to operate in those states. They'll make more money, and there is absolutely NO guarantee the consumer will be any better off.
  • Posted By: Walt: tax cuts during a recession have been proven to cause more long-term damage than the short-term gain that they bring, because the economic benefit doesn't make up for the lost tax revenue. All a tax cut would do now is add to the deficit, which will eventually force up interest rates and hamper the economy a few years down the line.
  • Posted By: Bluebird: Anon, I am glad you won't read my post. I won't have to worry about offending you when I mention God. My children have insurance-it is not CHIPS. My husband has insurance. I do not. We pay the same taxes as everyone else-where you get otherwise, I am not sure. What I don't pay are a lot of bank fees. I do not think it is wrong to have good things in life that you want, Jim. I am just saying pay as you go. Use your credit card but keep it paid down. Live within your means, however you choose to do it. This craze the world is in of having everything in life you want without the ability to pay for it has "bankrupted" it, or so they say. But it does not show in the way the leaders live. To max out your credit and then expect responsible people who do not live constantly in the red to bail you out is irresponsible and will drag us all under. How is that so hard to understand or become a lie? I live responsibly and I expect every one else to do the same. Your kids shouldn't have to pay it.
  • Posted By: TERRY: This makes Perfectly good sense to me! JOB - URINE TEST (Whoever wrote this one deserves a HUGE pat on the back!) Like most folks in this country, I have a job. I work, they pay me. I pay my taxes and the government distributes my taxes as it sees fit. In order to get that paycheck in my case, I am required to pass a random urine test (with which I have no problem) What I do have a problem with is the distribution of my taxes to people who don't have to pass a urine test. So, here is my Question: Shouldn't one have to pass a urine test to get a welfare check because I have to pass one to earn it for them? Please understand, I have no problem with helping people get back on their feet. I do, on the other hand, have a problem with helping someone sitting on their butt - doing drugs, while I work. . .
  • Posted By: hey big earl...: have you heard about thre gov.wanting to take over more land.glen beck and fox news have a great story.i got the story thru another scource tho.it says nevada gov.owns 90 percent of that state,gov.owns 75 percent etc.and the gov.wants to take even more private land.that would mean coal,gas,oil resources would never be allowed to be used.wake up america,before its too late.you never see the truthh on obama news network.every thing evil is kept hidden.
  • Posted By: : bluebird you are a,a well I guess I can't say that here.Your statement tells me you don't pay any taxes to amount to anything,and weren't you the one with the very ill child?Are you trying to tell us the medical costs for it were not expensive?I'm not sure if your a liar or just an idiot,but your posts are no longer worth reading.If more people would just skip the posts of these crazies,kieth,big earl,bluebird,bunning,austin etc. there would be more good debates and informing posts here instead of wasted time explaining simple facts and truths to simpleminded people(bluebird,big earl) and set in thier ways fascists(kieth,bunning),arguing with these people is like mud wrestling with a pig,they enjoy it.I feel the only attention these people deserve is, NONE.
  • Posted By: Big Earl: Hello good coal miners of WV and there people do any of you people remember the days when they took money out of your pay to cover the company doctor who I might add had some sense all you have to do is watch TV to see country doctors beat city doctors hands down take Granny Clampet off the Beverly Hillbillys she had a cold cure take one teaspoon of her secret mix get plenty of rest drink lots of water and in about a week bingo you are cured or how about Granny Walton she had a cure for Spring Fever or Summer Doldrums whatever ailed you she could cook up a tea for it you people think Mr. Hammer was carrying on about that mix the Baldwin Sisters cooked up just ask the old timers how it was as for this bunch running the show now don’t eat a egg it kills you don’t eat a hamburger it kills you don’t drink a Mountain Dew it kills you tell them tofu swilling hippies the only chips I want from some government doctor is a bag of Lays Halapeno hot pepper jumbo size thank you better have a cast iron stomach.
  • Posted By: You are exactly correct COT: You nailed it. In past times, people had a direct relationship with the doctor; they paid the bill, they paid attention to costs, they purchased what they needed. Due to wage controls during WW2, union benefit packages began offering insurance as a benefit in lieu of salary; that took the one on one relationship out of things; it no longer mattered what cost was, because "someone else" was paying it. What should be done immediately to truly impact cost is, open up interstate insurance competition; encourage and promote HSAs; make the individual responsible for shopping around for the best care/price. Did anyone hear Sen. Dick Durbin, D-IL, say yesterday that anybody who tells you Obamacare will lower premiums is not telling the truth? Obama lies? Did anybody hear that Govt. ran Medicare rejects more claims than Aetna? Did you know that S. WV's own Nick Rahall STILL supports this bill? Your taxes will raise immediately; but, you get no "benefits" for 4 years. Sound like a good deal?
  • Posted By: Keith: You guys are right, conservatives as well as liberals are all at the mercy of Obama right now. I heard today where the democrat senate passed unemployment benefits through the end of the year; clearly, they are not expecting a recovery this year nor is anything being done to help recovery. There is a clear way out of a recession; look to history. The depression of 1922; chances are you have not heard of it. Immediate reduction in spending and tax cuts solved it. The exact opposite happened in 1933. The depression turned into the Great Depression and dragged on for 8 long, agonizing years, because of Keynesian ideas that are being followed by the current administration. Failed then, failing now. Reagan demonstrated tax cuts work by taking a country mired in double digit unemployment, 21% interest rates, and double digit inflation. It was so bad under Carter a new term had to be coined-The Misery Index. But, never fear, its a great day in the USA; only 36,000 of us lost our jobs in Feb.
  • Posted By: Craveontruth: What is really interesting is the part of health care that is not covered by insurance or the government.This would be elected surgery,like breast implants,lasik eye surgery,etc.This area of medicine is a true example of the free market and has the most reasonable and competitive rates.One might conclude that if there were no insurance or taxes paying for health care then the price of being treated when you are sick might just be affordable.
  • Posted By: Bluebird: Excuse me Jeannie, I did not say my kids were on CHIPS. They are not. I said most kids qualify for CHIPS. You misread. But I do not begrudge the care given for children on CHIPS and feel it is our responsibility to care for kids, however not people such as you. My husband was on UE for the winter-2 months. He went back to work. Had he not known he had work coming, I would gladly have gone out and gotten a job while he stayed home. Accident-we pay for my care and have auto insurance. Surgery- we pay. Cancer-I have already addressed that- I refuse treatment. That is my right.We have saved money for medical care, not treating ourselves to things we did not need. Get off your high horse. You all sure are quick to call people hypocrites without the right to do so. You are everything I stand against.
  • Posted By: RoaneCo.: So your saying the discriminatory tax that I pay on my cigarettes are helping to pay for insurance coverage for needy children? Now I wonder why these Pro-Life screaming churches don't forfeit their tax exempt status in order to help with the care of these children. Dare I say.........GREED!!
  • Posted By: food for thought: I did pay close attention, I repeated in not the exact words, but summed up what the representative said. He said it, you heard it and I heard it.
  • Posted By: annonomous: In the Garvin case, I believe that the testomony of Jessica Jenkins should not have even been considered. She is a known crack addict and criminal, who would steal pennies off of a dead man's eyes. She would say anything to reduce her own sentence even if she had to make it all up. I am not saying that I think Garvin is innocent, however Jessica's testamony could be nothing more than an attempt to plea bargain.
  • Posted By: RoaneCo.: Thank you jam6972. I realize no two people are going to agree 100% of the time, nor do I believe that two parties are going to agree 100% of the time. But all this finger pointing isn't getting us anywhere. Sadly, I don't ever see us, as a Nation, recovering from this economic mess until all parties start using "common sense". How can a country solve a problem of this magnitude when there is no agreement as to what the problem truly is? I swear sometimes our elected official have about the same level of logical thought process as some of us that post on here. And yes jam6972 I feel safe in saying that there are many conservative folks getting their just rewards. I bet some of them would love to have their big tax deductible donation, that they gave to their big tax exempt church, back in there little unemployed pockets. I also have a saying I would like to share. Tis better to be thought a hypocrite than to post a comment and remove all doubt.
  • Posted By: To Jeannie: Actually CHIPS is paid for by tobacco tax, not just all taxpayers....cigarette smoking taxpayers.
  • Posted By: jam6972: To Roane county: I heard that !!! I agree with you my friend, but some people cannot see this side. Only takes a little common sense to acknowledge there are two sides to all stories. Hmmmmm,....do you think there might be a conservative or two on unemployment? Surely not! (wink)
  • Posted By: Jeannie: Kris - that was quite an important post earlier about Sarah Palin that bears repeating. SARAH PALIN TOOK HER FAMILY TO CANADA FOR CHEAPER HEALTHCARE!!!! Does anyone understand what that means? Would anyone care to post the definition of hypocrite.... Sarah Palin and Bluebird would qualify.
  • Posted By: Jeannie: Bluebird: Did I read your post correctly? Your kids are on CHIPS, right? Are you aware that that is a government program that is subsidized by taxpayers. How dare you complain about others living off the govt! I am a fan of CHIPS; however, you need to understand you are against that which you take part in. Obamacare/CHIPS - same difference. If you have an accident and go to the ER and God forbid have to stay in the hospital or have surgeries, who exactly is going to pay for your care? Don't tell me that hospitals have plans for indigent care and that is what you will do. This, too, is taking from others who pay their way. Face it; you need Obamacare just like everyone else. Some people are incapable of simple logic and you are among them. If we truly don't want Obamacare, then you sick people need to get used to REALLY NOT LIVING OFF OTHERS. You should be turned away at ER's. You should not engage in risky behavior. You should never ever get cancer. Can you make those promises?
  • Posted By: Jim: Bluebird I would not try and fool you you can check the numbers $39000 is the cost of living in NJ where as in WVA it is $26000.As Walt said everything cost more than here I recently vacationed in Hawaii they sell eggs by the half dozen for $1.89 where as here I can buy 3 times that many for the same money, bread over $4.50 a loaf,1 bed room apt $900-$1500 and their max benefit is $559 so 2 to 3 weeks is gone for rent alone power bill $100 a month plus depending on whether you use the air or heat phone $50 a month and you still have auto insurance home insurance auto payment and food so there is no way they could make it on unemployment alone without being homeless in a short order.As for your comment on people wanting to much you disappoint me why does anyone work if not to have things better. I know some people live outside their means but not all I have always heard it said don't live so high that you can fall if you find yourself without income.
  • Posted By: Bluebird: Perhaps, Walt. I am not a world traveler, nor have I made it habit to study various economies. But $600. a week equals at least $2400 a month there, doesn't it? Surely they can make it on that if we can on $600/month? That was the original argument, that they could not continue on unemployment. What I do notice is people. Morals are not popular at this time. Oh, I know people are struggling. And I am not unsympathetic. There are many good people out there trying. But there are just as many not. And this is not the time to add more debt to the economy. Spending money we don't have is not a fix. Adding to our government will be our downfall. Any extra money, I would gladly give to people in need, and do. But to tell me I have to? That just angers me. Our government has become Robin Hood on a grand scale. It is way past time for them to cut in their corner. Then there would be money for the needy without dragging more of us down to that category (needy). UE need extended? Cut pork.
  • Posted By: Walt: Bluebird, I'm not sure you appreciate the difference in cost of living between WV and, well...almost any other state in the union. It costs more money to live in NJ. Utilities cost more, rent costs more, highway tolls cost more, food (and other essentials) costs more, etc. Yes, you can live on $600 a month in WV. I've done it. But there's no WAY you could get by in NJ on that amount.
  • Posted By: Walt: morals...exactly. You take pride in your convictions, and you don't want to sit around and take handouts. Neither do I. And neither, I suspect, do the more than 6 million people who've lost their jobs since the current recession began, be they in NJ or someplace else.
  • Posted By: Not asking for sympathy: Look I'm not looking for sympathy but please do not assume that everyone collecting unemployment are dead beats who will collect until it's dried up. I lost my job through no fault of my own (along with several other co-workers)since the moment I was let go I have searched, applied, tested,called,filled out applications to every company hiring, those not advertising, jobs I'm not really qualified for,job service,employment agencies etc and I have yet to even be called for an interview. I have a lot of experience and skills but even the local grocery store/gas station is not hiring right now. My hubby and I have kids and don't have extras, grow a garden,thankfully have insurance through his job,only have one car payment but if I can't find a job in the next couple of months I'm out of luck. Again, not looking for sympathy just do not assume we are all bums looking for a handout. I know it's not your problem but really I appreciate the help. Thank you.
  • Posted By: Bluebird: If someone is making $72,000 a year and are living "a standard" on that amount and do not put back for a rainy day, well, WAAAH! Like I said, people want too much. Cost of living $39,000? I think not. Perhaps for people who want to have more house than they can afford or heat/cool. Swimming pools. Several car loans. Credit cards maxed. Whose fault is that? Mine? Any family could live on $600. a week if they lived the responsible life they should in any state in America. But it has become "the thing" to have outlandish debts. And we are tired of paying for it. Before you even see your check, state, fed., SS and UE are taken out. Spend some, state gets more. Save it, feds get more. Each year pay income tax to both on money already taxed. Too many people are waiting with their hand out for their part of your payroll check. UE is living off the state, Walt? Yeah, right. Where did the "state" get that money? Is the state/fed hurting? Look at how our leaders live and see your answer. CUT!
  • Posted By: RoaneCo.: So now our present economic crisis is the fault of the unemployeed? Hummm, that is funny, seemed not to long ago it was the working people and their mean old unions fault. You know, them folks and their union that were fighting for decent pay, health insurance, retirement and to keep jobs here in the United States. And who was it that broke many of the unions, forced wage and benefit concessions and took away health and retirement benefits from indiviuals that had already retired? After all of this, big business still chooses to operate in a foreign country where they can get the cheapest labor and the most relaxed regulations. Strange how some people talk out of both sides of their mounths. If the middle class working man fights for it, he doesn't deserve it...take it from him. If the government wants to give it to him...stop that to, make him work a part-time, low paying job without benefits. That will fix our economy, won't it?
  • Posted By: B.E..and mother earth: DID YOU SEE ON THE NEWS ABOUT THE MUSLIMS KILLING THE CHRISTIANS AND VISE VERSA.RELIGON IS PART OF THESE HIEONUS ACTS BUT THE MOST IMPORTANT PART IS THE LAND AND THE ABILITY TO SURVIVE.I WONDER HOW MANY MILLIONS OF ACRES ARE OWNED BY THEIR GOV.FOR WILDLIFE AND LAND CONSERVATION.WOULDNT IT MAKE MORE SENSE TO GIVE THESE PEOPLE PART OF THE LAND TO STOP THE SLAUGHTER OF HUMAN BEINGS.NAAA EVENTUALLY ONE SIDE WILL MAKE GENOCIDE WORK FOR THEM.REMEMBER THE MILLION KILLED IN DARFOR,I THINK WAS THE PLACE.THEIR POLITICANS ARE LIKE OURS TO A CERTAIN DEGREE,LIVE IN SQUALOR WHEN WE CAN NO LONGER AFFORD TO PAY HIGH UTILITIES,HIGH GAS PRICES,EVENTUALLY HIGH INFLATION ETC.BUT THEY THE POLITICANS WILL LIVE LIKE KINGS WHILE TAXPAYERS ARE GOOSESTEPED INTO POVERTY.CONTROL,CONTROL,CONTROL!!!BRING ON THE OBAMA WATERMELONS.WE RAISE THEM O.WILL TAKE THEM FROM US AND DISTRIBUTE THEM TO UNPRODUCTIVE LAZY PEOPLE.CONTROL.BUT IT TAKES MOTHER EARTH TO RAISE FOOD,THEY WILL PROBABLY TAKE IT OUT OF PRODUCTION.NO MELONS
  • Posted By: Kris: Hypocrite: Former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin -- who has gone to great lengths to hype the supposed dangers of a big government takeover of American health care -- admitted over the weekend that she used to get her treatment in Canada's single-payer system. John McCain sure opened pandoras box when he tapped her as a running mate just to try and get elected. Peace to ALL!
  • Posted By: Jim: Bluebird $30,000 will not sustain a person in NJ the cost of living is $39,000 the $600 is the max from earned income from $52000 and up.Say your standard of living is based on income of $72,000 which is the state average household for NJ do you think $600 a week will cover that,will you kick back for down time.Maybe long enough to watch them reposess your car but no longer and usually without a car you wont be able to go to work anyway so no Keith was not right unless the people want to be broke and lose everything they have worked for they will not just ride out their unemployment.The lowest household income average for any county in the state is $49,000 and 70% of the people in that county make that.
  • Posted By: Bluebird: Morals. I could not live off the state. I believe "if you don't work, you don't eat" laws. And as I tried to say, I already live modestly. Growing a few more vegetables in the summer and putting up for winter would not be a big deal. I was saying it could be done. It does not mean you would lose everything. And I know many people who choose to wait until unemployment runs out. Extend it and there they would sit. I do not approve. Do they lose everything? No, they head right for the welfare office. If for some reason my husband could not work, then I would find a job while he cared for the kids, even if it was minimum wage. What my gripe is, people want too much. They don't try to live within their means.If they can't get what they want, they think someone else should provide it. And socialism says we should provide it. Now if I live modestly, why should I provide things for you that I do without myself? I want to choose if and how I spend my money I have left over. It is mine.
  • Posted By: Walt: Well let me ask you this, then. You can live off the state and adjust your standard of living accordingly...why don't you?
  • Posted By: Big Earl: Hello good coal miners of WV and there people these PETA types is at it again this time bothering MacDonalds I seen it on the news I seen where the tofu and aerogoula bunch is giving guff to Ronald on account of the type of fish they grow well I have two requirements for a fish one it grows in water two it tastes good with tarter sauce have you people ever seen that man from the Subway he used to wear jeans what looked like a pup tent but he got skinny eating submarines I say leave the Salamie alone Jared is living proof it is good for you pepperoni is to it comes from a goat and has lots of protein and minerals ten penny nails greenbean cans and old shingles is good nutrition to a goat really stick to your ribs when you put old Billy on your pizza stuffed crust down to the pizza hut is my favorite.
  • Posted By: Bluebird: Well, yes Walt I do. I guess we run in different "circles" as they say. I do see your point. But here is mine. I would not lose my house, because I have never bought one bigger than I needed. Mine is paid for. Fixed up by us. There are still people who do that. I don't have health insurance and don't want it. When I get sick, THEN I pay-cash. My purchases-cash. In the winter, we turn the heat down and put on sweaters and even a blanket if we feel chilly. I cook my own meals-usually enough for a couple of days. (Chili, Veg. Soup, Pinto beans and cornbread, etc.)I could live on $600. a MONTH, easy. I trust the Lord to keep me healthy. The exception is my kids. But most kids qualify for CHIPS. We manage fine without Obamacare. And IF by chance I get a serious illness such as cancer, I will CHOOSE to refuse treatment and go on Home. But the most important- I live in freedom. If my husband chose to ride out his unemployment for a while, we would be fine. These options would be for NJ also.
  • Posted By: Keith...well I do...: If your spouse is employed with health insurance, who would look for a job, as long as they are pulling in $30,000? Gov. Christie highlighted an individual in NJ who had paid a little over $100,000 into his retirement fund, but will reap well over 1 MILLION. So, I know the figures are correct and true. The point is, listen to the liberals; they are already hollering about the next cutoff date in July. No jobs, no plans, no progress; just keep the unemployment rolling. I saw a letter the other day from the chair of the Democrat party of KY, he went on and on and on about how evil Jim Bunning is, blah blah, went an entire page and not once mentioned job creation! You know why? Because it is abundantly clear they have no plan. Look at the economy, as bad as it; did you ever think the day would come in America when the majority leader of the US Senate would call it a great day when "only" 36,000 people lost their jobs!??! Lets party! 36,000 lost their jobs! HOOOOEEEEE! Hope and change.
  • Posted By: Walt: Bluebird, the point is that it's a specious argument. "I'm doing great here in NJ making $600 a week. I'll just quit looking for work." Well, you would NOT be doing great on $600 a week in New Jersey (assuming you qualified for that much, which you wouldn't)-- you'd be lucky to keep your house. And you could forget about health insurance. I don't know of ANYONE who would settle for less money and zero health care if they could go out and get a job that took care of all that. Do you?
  • Posted By: Hey Zippy: It was funny wasn't it? For those of you who missed it on Chris Matthew's show Sunday Dan Rather said Obama couldn't sell watermelons by the roadside even if a state trooper was stopping traffic for him. No kidding, he really said it. The more I hear it the harder I laugh too. Why didn't Rather say Obama could sell Oranges, or Pineapples, or maybe even Cantaloupes, anything but WATERMELONS! I swear next he will be making jokes about fried chicken. Never fear though, Dan Rather is a card carrying (remember that?) member of the say anything you want about dark skinned people club and no repercussions will be forthcoming. He is in good company-Harry Reid, D, Hillary Clinton, D, Joe Biden, D, Bill Clinton, D, Howard Dean, D. etc...
  • Posted By: Keith...paging Dr. Rahall...paging Dr. Rahall: The current figures have only 42% of Dems strongly supporting Obamacare; 72% of Republicans oppose. Independents strong support registers at 17%, while their strong dislike clocks in at 45%. Can anyone remember a more sleazy, crooked, underhanded machination behind a bill than Obamacare? Federal judgeship? No problem. Ethics investigation? Canceled. Nebraska's corn husker kickback. The Louisiana purchase. Perverts chasing down recalcitrant congressmen in locker rooms. Pledges of openness; transparency. Medicare has a higher rate of claim rejection than Aetna. Evil, no good insur...er Medicare. Folks, Nick Rahall is carrying Nancy Pelosi's water on this one, but the good news is we have a choice in this fall's election, with Judge Maynard. Everyone needs to light up the switchboard in Rahall's office and ask him why he continues to ignore his state and the clear majority of the country and support a govt. takeover of the health care system. Call him ASAP at 1-202-224-3121, do it today.
  • Posted By: Bluebird: So after all those posts to correct Keith on the NJ unemployment, he was right after all? And if someone can make $30,000 on unemployment, even if they were previously making $52,000 in earnings, but were able to keep their bills paid and food on the table with that unemployment, you don't think many may take their time looking for another job? IMO that does not insinuate "welfare cheats" or people who refuse to work. People feel they have paid into it and would like some down time. I have heard many people say "Drawing that much unemployment, I am not in any hurry to go back to work." Not all are like that, but many are. My husband wears the carpet out, pacing, when he is off for the winter. But face it, most feel it is a welcome change and take advantage of it.
  • Posted By: Walt: Keith, the 79 weeks figure is the result of a temporary federal extension in unemployment benefits, the Unemployment Extension Act of 2008, signed by George W. Bush. The standard term for NJ (and most other states) is 26 weeks. Once the economy picks up, that extension will be history. Also, I think you're missing the point on unemployment insurance, which is that it's UNEMPLOYMENT insurance i.e. in order to get it, you have to have had a job. The law says you are eligible for "60% of average weekly income, but no more than $600" (your figure for this was correct...the max jumped to $600 on Jan 1., 2010) per week. So in order to qualify for that $600 per week benefit, you had to have had a job that paid at least $52,000 per year. I think you are trying to give the impression that the "welfare cheats," or the people who refuse to work, can earn great money in a state like NJ by doing nothing. And that just isn't true.
  • Posted By: jim missed my point ...: the school age children cant speak english.the teacher was hired to teach school age children english.evidently the parents camehere recently with small children that cant speak english.the cost of a teacher,benefits,family living in taxpayer housing,free breakfast,lunch,foodstamps,utilities,free health care,etc.wouldnt that all add up to 100,150 thousand taxpayer dollars.if we send illegals back,the legals who are criminals,legals who wont work etc,what do you think would be the financial benefit for americans.again if you cant feed em,dont breed em.
  • Posted By: Jim: Keith again the half truth's you forgot to mention the cost of unemployment insurance to the companies in NJ which is in some cases twice as much as the cost in other states,you of all people should understand what cost to a business means.The fact that NJ cost of living is so high is the reason that they have to pay for people to go there to work its the same thru-out the Northeast. I know several people from right here in the tri-state area who have worked there and they draw their unemployment from there also,they tax more of your wage for unemployment something like $28,000 dollars compared to $8000 in Wva.Unemployment is so different in all states do you know what $28,500 to $32,000 a year will buy you in NJ.The cost of living their is $39,000 a year as opposed to $26,000 in WVa $27,000 in Ky and $30,000 in Oh. SO if you make $50,000 a year in WVa you will have to make $60,000 a year to live the same standard of life in New Jersey
  • Posted By: Jim: Bunnung reply here's my take on an Spanish/English teacher that can not speak English.Who hired him/her sounds to me like they may have not been qualified for the job and if that is the fact dont blame them blame the board of education who hired them.I doubt very much that the person is an illegal though but if they are then thats another fault in the boards hiring policy.Myself if my kids attended a school where they hire unqualified illegals I'd be looking for a new school or new directors for the one they are attending.The last time I checked all college bound students had to have at least 1 foreign language class which is a plus for anyone. My grand-daughter is learning Spanish and she is only 4.As for work ethic yes it is taught in the home but there is nothing that will kill the desire to want more out of life which is the only reason anyone works any faster than seeing someone come here and make half again more money doing the same job you are and have been doing for 2 yrs
  • Posted By: Congressman Nick J. Rahall, Insurance agent: First off, I have no real experience with anything, but have I got a plan for you, solve all your problems. You start paying for it immediately, the rates keep going up, your taxes get higher, and you go deeper into debt, but don't worry, in 4 years you can start using the policy! Sound like a deal? Did I tell you I never really did anything of note in my life? Did I tell you that you really have no choice to buy my policy, if you choose not to you can pay a fine of several thousand dollars so somebody else can get access to this great deal. Oh yeah, before I forget, I get to appoint a panel to tell you what you can have in your policy and what benefits you will get. And since the other insurance company I own-Medicare-denies more claims than any private insurer in the country, well, lets just say you will get what I think you need. I need your help. Call your congressman, Nick J. Rahall. Now he already supports me, but he needs your encouragement lest he waver. Sincerely, B.Obama.
  • Posted By: bunning reply: i wasnt talking unimployment.the health insurance bill was one thing was talking about.what was your thought on the spanish ,english teacher in grade school for small children who dont speak english.if we sent back all illegals,the legals and their families that are here but are criminals,live off our hard earned money probably 75 percent of our financial problems would be elliminated.as for work ethic,that is taught in the home not in the fields.wait till all the college graduates start looking for jobs,what then for obama?cbs has obamas pole numbers,it even shocked me,coming from obama news network.maybe the young people will demand the constitution be upheld.i know they had better get their heads out of the sand and investigate where this country is headed.we are trully on the brink.there,ll be no watermelons for o to sell,they will be the property of gov.and you know how gov.destributes wealth.the peons,peasants,taxpayer raises them then distributes them to unproductive people.
  • Posted By: zippy: Posted by: Did anybody hear Dan Rather say... on "Mar 9, 2010 at 07:27 PM That Obama could not sell watermelons by the roadside if a state trooper was stopping traffic? It was on the Chris Matthews show Sunday morning." No, but I wish I did. R*O*T*F*L*M*A*O!!!!!
  • Posted By: Keith...you said it Jam not me...: Well Jennifer, Constipated, politics is interesting; sorry I am just not into Oprah and Ellen; the people I write about have the power to tax you, take away your freedom and ruin your life. Not important enough? What insurer denies the most procedures for patients? Medicare, at 6.85%. Closest competitor in the private sector is Aetna at 6.80%. Still think there will be no rationing of healthcare? You better wake up. Google the phrase “length of unemployment benefits in New Jersey.” Interesting reading. One fellow notes the benefits go on up to 79 weeks, which is more than a year. An article in the Employers Assoc. of New Jersey notes that this month, “Governor Chris Christie has proposed major revisions to the state’s unemployment system…weekly unemployment benefits would be reduced FROM $600 per week TO $550. Multiply that out and you get between $28,500-$32,000 yearly.
  • Posted By: Constipated: I get sick of all the people on here trying to talk politics. If you only knew what was really going on in Washington...
  • Posted By: Did anybody hear Dan Rather say...: That Obama could not sell watermelons by the roadside if a state trooper was stopping traffic? It was on the Chris Matthews show Sunday morning.
  • Posted By: Big Earl: Hello good coal miners of WV and there people this is Big Earl did any of you people read that story about that pig named Gordy was wondering around all over our capital city and no you hippies Doug Stone is not coming to load you up in a pine box for a grand tour of Georgia there have been some very well know movie pigs in the great history of American Television Arnold the Pig was on the Green Acers show some years back then there was that pig from Austrailia what thought it was a sheepdog and had a PETA type for a owner and an evil no good cat that lived in the house to next time you people got a wondering pig give it directions over to the Bob Evans restaurant by the looks of him he would make some mighty good breakfasts.
  • Posted By: Jennifer S.: Can you all ever talk about anything else? Liberal this and Obama that. Blah Blah Blah!! I use to love reading the yell, but anymore it's SSDD. Same sh*t different day. Come on guys make it interesting could ya?
  • Posted By: jam6972: I got your message Keith! ALL,..... I repeat ALL liberals are crooks, liars, connivers, and cheats! Right Keith ? And ALL conservatives are PERFECT ! It is easy to comprehend when you explain it so well! Thank you !
  • Posted By: Hey food for thought: I believe you should have listened a little closer the they the rep was speaking of is the republicans they are the ones wanting to keep kids on their insurance if you can call them kids at mid to late 20's
  • Posted By: Jim re bunning: Just thought I would add another little known fact to your reply,do you know that in 1986 Reagan {see Walt@950am} stopped a long time entitlement to the nations maritime industry only on Americans but did not end it to foreiners.It was called the maritime ticket for health care to mariners who became ill while on board any vessel in US waters.It was a simple form that the Capt.filled out and would hand to the worker and it entitled him free emergency room care any place in the country.Not only did this keep the transportation of goods flowing it helped by keeping the whole crew from being sick.It was seldom used unless it was a serious illness or injury that needed fast medical attention.US mariners where taken out of the program but ships coming in many with foreign workers were still covered,rather than quarantine them he let them come ashore to be treated,not using concern that what they had may cause a national epidemic.Another good faith deal at the expense of the American people
  • Posted By: Jim re Bunning: If you are talking the same bill the rest of us are the legal/illegal aliens drawing unemployment would be the direct result of the 2002 farm bill under Bush, it was this boon-doggle of a bill that paid farmers to hire migrant workers from Mexico to work the fields and set it up where they could draw unemployment benefits.It is Govt funding that matches the min.wage to farmers who hire them to work here thus destroying the summer jobs of thousands of young workers all across the country.Here's what happened in the tomato fields all over So Ohio the farmers would pay American kids min. wage but Mexicans doing the same job would earn half again as much thanks to the farm bill then we wonder why young kids have no desire to work when they see the unjust treatment in this.This work was a rite of passage for years but when the farmers seen a chance to make a profit from a tax payer funded bill they took it and you cant blame them,but at the same time we killed the work ethic of our own kids
  • Posted By: Walt: both the Senate and House versions of the current health care legislation explicitly bar illegal immigrants from receiving federal money to pay for health care. Illegals can receive emergency room care, under the Emergency Medical Treatment and Active Labor Act, signed by President Reagan in 1986.
  • Posted By: Jim: Keith Walt is right on the NJ situation many states whole set up is different than Ohio or WVa. Mass. has a max weekly benefit of $712 I beleive but the bottom # is the same you only get the amount that is paid into your account and when that is gone your out under normal situations,you get more a week but less weeks.What I was saying is if there had been no extensions then they could not be quoting the high unemployment rates these stats are taken from the number of claims filed and you have to figure that close to half are drawing off extended benefits so in that figuring instead of 9.7 you would be looking at 4.85 unemployment rate.Granted there are some that will not look for work but there are more that would work if given the chance rather than jump thru the hoops to draw a token check that barely keeps them afloat.Myself I have only drawn 3 checks in my life and several times knowing I was going back to work in a matter of a couple weeks it was not worth the hassle it is no fun
  • Posted By: food for thought: I heard a democratic rep. on Cavuto say that they want a part of the new health bill to include keeping "children" yes that's right"children" on their parents insurance up to the ages of 26-27 yrs. old. Now I see reasoning for kids that are in college. eg. medical field and what have you, but seriously do we ever expect our 26-27 yr. old "adults" to grow up? Sounds like a "woo" method to me. Or...maybe desperation. I dunno. I just say this I guess I moved out 10-11 years to early, married to young at 23, become a father to early at 25, and found a fulltime job w/insurance way to early at 20 yrs.old. Boy did I mess up.
  • Posted By: bunning...: we needmore bunnings,not less.he wont be here next year tho.did anybody step back ans dissect the bill?did you know that legal, illegal aliens are NOTexempt from the bill.they will get their share,maybe more.in ashland ky a school hires a full time spanish teacher in grade school to teach children english,so how long can these people have been in the country?and dont forget there is almost free housing,foodstamps,free breakfast,lunch,utilities,health insurance,etc.how much would that amount to in taxpayer money,probably ahundred,hundred fifty thousand dollars?my motto is IF YOU CANT FEED EM
  • Posted By: Keith...a new poll question: What word best describes Obama: Crook, liar, conniver, cheat; doling out Federal Judge appointments to relatives of democrat congressmen, to try and con them into supporting Obamacare; sending a wierdo like Rahm Emmanuel into a locker room shower to cajole lawmakers; what a pervert; where does Obama find these people? The Cornhusker Kickback; the Louisiana Purchase; what a shame. If a candidate won an election by a 53%-42% margin, would you say it was a mandate? What about 55%-45%? Clear enough? Those are the poll numbers; a clear majority does not want this government takeover of the health care system. Ultimately the responsibility for this travesty lies with Obama voters. It is your fault. You empowered this sleaze. By hook or crook, lie, cheat, steal, con; he is hellbent to get his way, to He** with the American public. Obama voter, it is you who needs to apologize to the country. This is a deplorable, pitiful shame. Hope and change. What a joke.
  • Posted By: Bluebird: On the surface of things, it would appear that lawmakers in Washington just stall on issues to gain political points. But after following this forum for a while, it is obvious that Democrats and Republicans are oceans apart on their views. It seems the two sides can never agree on what are the best answers for America. It is for this reason that I hope a health care bill does not pass until it is complete. If it does, it will remain as is or doctored by the majority and is doubtful that it will represent the needs of the people. It looks to me like it should have been started over and built upon agreeing points, if any could be found. I really dread to see the end result if we are forced to accept this.
  • Posted By: to craveon the truth: Looks like you and old Machmmodd Hockmediniejad from Iran have a lot in common he thinks 911 was an inside job to. HaHa some company to keep.
  • Posted By: Gandalf: This is in response to Curt on 3/7: Your observation that melting polar ice will not raise ocean levels would be true if all polar ice was in water, like an ice cube in a glass. The problem however, is that ice masses that are on land like Greenland and Antarctica will run into the oceans and will indeed raise ocean levels, which has been occurring for some time now. The inverse has happened in the past Ice Ages, lowering sea levels several hundred feet.
  • Posted By: Words of wisdom: "A change in the Senate rules (reconciliation) that really I think would change the character of the Senate forever and what I worry about would be that essentially you have still two chambers the House and the Senate but you have simply majoritarian absolute power on either side and that's just not what the founders intended." "My understanding of the Senate is that you need 60 votes to get something significant to happen which means that democrats and republicans have to ask the question do we have the will to move the American agenda forward?" "Those big ticket items-fixing our health care system...one of the arguments I get...from fellow progressives...is this notion that we should function sort of like Karl Rove, where we identify our core base, we throw them red meat, we get a 50 1 victory, see Karl Rove doesn't need a broad consensus because he doesn't believe in govt. If we want to TRANSFORM the country though that requires a SIZEABLE MAJORITY." Quotes from Barack Obama.
  • Posted By: Walt: I think the $30,000 per annum figure for New Jersey is incorrect. According to the Legal Services of New Jersey website, the maximum allowed benefit for low-income cash assistance, for a person with no dependents, is $210 per month, and you are required to work up to 35 hours per week in order to get those benefits. The state of NJ does pay unemployment benefits of up to 60% of average weekly income, but no more than $521 per week, and those benefits expire at the end of 26 weeks. I don't see how any of those numbers could possibly add up to $30,000 per year, which by the way is peanuts in a state like New Jersey, which has the 5th highest cost of living in the US.
  • Posted By: Keith...wow! I am agreeing with a liberal!: You are right Jim, Delay is wrong; Obama is wrecking the country and economy, with no help in sight. Bunning, however, was correct. I saw a letter from a state democrat party chairman talking about unemployment benefits thru July; no talk of jobs, just staying on the dole. In places like NJ you can get $30,000 per year on unemployment; why should you look for a job? That is more than a lot of working WV and KY folks get. If Jim Bunning is Johnny Come Lately, I say, welcome aboard. I sure wish more would join him. Never too late to get fiscal sanity. Too bad there is not a single democrat in all of DC in that number. Did you guys hear the stuff democrat congressman Massa (NY) forced out this week by a scandal, said about Rahm Emmanuel? Absolutely hilarious! Look it up, it is a must read. Folks, we all need to act quickly, forcefully, and together to stop the Obamanation called "Healthcare reform." Call Nick Rahall, 1-202-224-3121, and let him know you will vote on this issue. Do it now.
  • Posted By: Jim: Well I see where another Republican has came to light and is expressing how they feel about the middle-class Americans,Tom Delay from Texas imagine that has just stated the only reason people are unemployed is because they want to be.I look at this 2 ways either they think 9% of Americans that use to work ad found theirself without work are useless in their eyes or that the %9 number should be adjusted which in turn makes one of their rallying points on the failed Obama policies misleading you cant have it both ways maybe there should be a poll of all politicians to see how they feel about the people they represent hook them up to lie detectors and then vote accordingly.Bunning worries about spending money we dont have when its for the people but not when it for wall street Delay says people in the real world knows no one wants to work if they can draw unemployment and they wont look for work until you take their benefits away like the brave Jim Bunning tried to do.How heartless is he
  • Posted By: Big Earl: Hello good coal miner people of WV and there kin these PETA types is at it again this time bothering the bears at that Zoo and no you hippies nobody went to JellyStone Park to see Yogy apparently these people never watched cartoons Rabbit used to put up a sign when Winnie the Pooh came around looking for honey that said Don’t Feed the Bears did any of you people see that story they tried to feed a black bear and it chomped down on there hand I don’t know what they tried to feed it maybe a hot dog or hamburger some mayor said alcohol played a part so they probably gave it something cheap like Falls City to wash it down with and it got mad and next thing you know anybody from WV especially Boone County could tell you don’t throw out the Snowballs and King Dons in the can that attracts bears worse than a jar of honey the only black bear I ever seen fit to pet is the rug in my front room.
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