Message from the Chairman:
A Government-run Health Care Plan is the Stealth Path to a Single Payer System
Consider the
rage on the left at the Obama Administration's suggestion that it might
compromise on the point. According to Howard
Dean: "The worst thing that could happen is to pass a bill without
a public option." Apparently every other aspect of health care reform,
from cost control to covering the uninsured, is secondary to Dean.
Although liberals are now facing polling data from NBC/WSJ that
47% of Americans oppose the public plan, versus 43% who support it, the left
continues to dig in. Washington Post
columnist Eugene Robinson writes: "Giving up on the public option might be
expedient. But we didn't elect Obama to be an expedient president."
According to House Speaker Pelosi: "There's no way I can pass a bill in the House of
Representatives without a public option." On his MSNBC show Ed Schultz
told one Obama official this week that the left is seriously considering
dumping support for the President for dropping the government option.
Wow! Evidently this government-run plan is a very,
very big deal to the left. It is not
just one part of their plan -- this is the heart of their plan.
Both government-run option supporters
and detractors appreciate the connection between it and a transition to a single
payer system. If the
government-run option is passed, employers will be able to tell employees that
health care is no longer a company-provided benefit and direct employees to
the post office where they can pick up the necessary forms to enroll in the government-run plan.
Responsible estimates suggest that in the early stages half of
employees could see their private coverage dropped. Over time, as private coverage costs increase,
the government-run option would evolve into become a single payer system by pushing
other alternatives out of the market.
"Government
Option" advocates like to say their plan that can compete on a "level playing
field" with existing health care payers. For this, Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae
come to mind, not to mention AMTRAK and the Postal Service. Many of these government enterprises have
crowded out their competitors, all the while having to be bailed out
financially.
"Government
Option" advocates also argue that they "only want
another choice to compete with profit making alternatives." Yet there are already many non-profit
alternatives to choose from. For example
here in Maryland,
not-for profit CareFirst is the largest health care insurer in the region. CareFirst is not alone, not-for profit and
for-profit payers compete side by side across the country.
Creating a
government-run plan is also not really about creating a new choice. Free market health reform advocates have long
proposed that choice be expanded to allow consumers to buy any health plan
being offered anywhere in the country, not just plans approved by their local
insurance regulators. Liberals have fought to preserve local insurance mandates,
even though the largest employers can avoid these local requirements through
self-insurance. Similarly liberals have
opposed allowing small businesses pooling their buying power through
"association" health plans.
So when finally
pressed with the likelihood of an emergence of a single payer system, government-run plan supporters usually
profess that they are not the least bit troubled by that prospect and neither
should be anyone else.
Consider then
the "Chaoulli v. Quebec" court case.[1]This is a 2005 Canadian court decision ruling
that the Quebec Health Insurance Act and the Hospital Insurance Act
prohibiting private medical insurance in the face of long wait times violated
the Quebec
Charter of Human Rights and Freedoms and the Canadian
Charter of Rights and Freedoms. The court said: "The prohibition on
obtaining private health insurance... is not constitutional where the public
system fails to deliver reasonable services."
The Court's reasons are worth considering:
"Governments have promised on numerous occasions to find a
solution to the problem of waiting lists. Given the tendency to focus the
debate on a socio-political philosophy, it seems that governments have lost
sight of the urgency of taking concrete action. The courts are therefore the
last line of defense for citizens."
"This brings us to the evidence ... on the experience of other
developed countries with public health care systems which permit access to
private health care [the evidence shows these countries have] delivered to
their citizens medical services that are superior to and more affordable than
the services that are presently available in Canada."
Back in 1993 Hillary Care supporters said we should look to Canada's health
care experience, and they seem to be right in 2009.
Mark Uncapher, Chairman
[email protected]
http://csc.lexum.umontreal.ca/en/2005/2005scc35/2005scc35.html
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More Town Hall Alerts!!!
US Congresswoman Donna Edwards (MD-District 4) Will Hold Three Town Halls in Montgomery County, on Tuesday, August 25
First in Olney, From 2:00 - 3:00 p.m. "on senior issues" at the Friends House Retirement Community, 17340 Quaker Lane, Sandy Spring Maryland Click here for map location:
Edwards Town Hall location 2-3 p.m.
Then in Germantown from 3:45-5:15 p.m.
at the Churchill Senior Living Community
21000 Father Hurley Blvd., Germantown, MD 20874
Click here for map location:
Edwards Town Hall Location 3:45-5:15
Then again in Germantown from 6:30-8:00 p.m. on Health Care at the Plum Gar Community Center
19561 Scenery Dr., Germantown, MD 20876
Click here for map location:
Edwards Town Hall location 6:30-8:00
Make your voice heard. For more information call 202-225-8699 or 301-562-7960
Here is a map of Congressional District 4:
Click here for:
Rep. Edwards' website
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Maryland Delegate Saqib Ali Refers to Public Option Opponents as "Terrorists"
Maryland Congressman Steny Hoyer recently joined House Speaker Nancy Pelosi in calling town hall protestors as "simply un-American." Now a Montgomery County Delegate has gone even farther in his criticism of "criticism."
The Baltimore Examiner quotes Maryland Delegate Saqib Ali (D-LD 39) as tweeting on his Facebook page as saying: "If they drop the Public Option, then the terrorists will have won."
"Delegate Ali's comments labeling opponents to the so-called Public Option Health Plan as "terrorists" marks a new low in the public debate," said Montgomery County Republican Chairman Mark Uncapher. "Voters expect a reasoned debate, not this insulting name calling. Public Option Health Plan opponents include many Republicans, Independents, moderate and centrist
Democrats."
Responding to criticism, Delegate Ali told the Examiner that he was "only using a rhetorical device" and that the terrorists he was referring to were Al-Qaida terrorists, not health-care protestors.
Perhaps those of Delegate Ali's constituents who oppose a government-run public option will take comfort in his explanation, but then again maybe not.
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From the Maryland Senate Republican Caucus
Bellyaching About Slots
Did anyone find it ironic that Governor O'Malley was bellyaching
last week about the lengthy delays over implementing a slots program in
Maryland?
Isn't this the same O'Malley who in 2003 called slot machine
gambling "morally bankrupt"? ("O'Malley called slots 'morally
bankrupt' when Ehrlich proposed using them to finance education
initiatives and balance the state's budget." Baltimore Sun, May 6, 2005).
Isn't this the same O'Malley who lobbied Baltimore City legislators
and House Democrats to defeat any expansion of slot machine gaming in
the state during the entire four years that it was proposed by
legislators and the administration during Governor Ehrlich's term of
office?
Isn't this the same O'Malley that as a result of his advocacy
against slots now presides over a state where, instead of a vibrant
racing industry, Maryland is left with a standard-bred racing program
(Rosecroft and Ocean Downs) that is basically defunct and the major
thorough-bred tracks (Pimlico and Laurel) in bankruptcy court?
The ripple effect of a deteriorating racing industry over the last
six years has been felt by breeders, suppliers, feed mills and other
agricultural enterprises that support the horse industry and preserve
farmland. Major horse farms continue to leave the state for greener
pastures not to mention the higher purses at modern racetrack
facilities in neighbouring states.
So after less than nine months of deliberations by the Video Lottery
Facility Location Commission, Governor O'Malley is bellyaching about
delays?
The real bellyaching should be from horse breeders, farmers and
taxpayers about the gall of O'Malley to complain about delays when he
orchestrated the failure of a gaming bill six years ago - all for the
benefit of his own political ambitions.
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Young
Republicans "Equip the County's Future" Backpack Donations Support local
Learning Center
The
Montgomery County Young Republicans today presented the Linkages to Learning
with backpack donations concluding the "Equip the County's Future" backpack
drive. A group fundraiser aimed at producing fully equipped and supplied
backpacks for the children involved with the local Learning Center that provides
support to children and parents who require a little
extra.
"Our members are pleased to present
the Linkages to Learning with backpacks for the students in support of the
Center's good work in our community," said Montgomery County Young Republicans
President Michael Gibble. "We unequivocally support 'Equipping our
Counties Future' business and civic leaders with the tools required to succeed
in their current educational endeavors. Since we started this initiative
earlier this summer, we have been able to share the good work the Center does in
the community. We hope this encourages more groups to get involved with
Linkages for Learning who promotes steadfast commitment to family and learning."
The dozens of backpacks collected
will help benefit the Linkages for Learning students as they proceed into the
next school year.
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Montgomery County Young Republicans
Background
The Montgomery County Young
Republicans is the premier Republican organization in Maryland's capitol region
comprised of students and young professionals age 18 - 40.
For more information, please visit
www.mcyr.org or contact MCYR President Michael
Gibble at [email protected] or at (202)
441-6963.
Linkages to the
Learning
Linkages to Learning is a
school-based collaboration among the Montgomery County Department of Health and
Human Services, the Montgomery County Public Schools and non-profit, community
based service providers. The program provides accessible services to at-risk
children and their families to improve adjustment to and performance in school,
home, and community. Prevention and early intervention services include health,
mental health, social services and educational support. For more
information, please contact the Center at (301) 926- 1397. http://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/content/linkages/index.html |
Mark your calendar for Saturday, August 29 10:00-12:00 Noon
Precinct Training at GOP HQS.
15833 Crabbs Branch Way, Rockville
Prepare to Elect Republicans in 2010!
This
training is open to anyone who is interested in grass roots efforts at
the precinct level. You will learn about the voting districts in
Montgomery County, understand what is needed to build a successful
precinct, and much more. The training is informative, fun and FREE and
includes group participation and role playing. To enroll please email
your name, phone number and precinct number or address to
[email protected], email Pat Fenati at [email protected] or call her at 301-253-5205. If you have been doing precinct work for a while, your experience will be welcome.
Well over two hundred have completed the program so far. We are asking every current Montgomery County Precinct Chair who has not yet taken the course to do so in 2009. |
Gallup: Conservatives now outnumber Liberals in Maryland - and All 50 States
According to Gallup, there are more self identified conservatives
than liberal in every state. The Maryland numbers are:
Conservative
34%,
Moderate 39%, and
Liberal 24%.
Gallup's results
were derived from interviewing 160,236 American adults across the nation between Jan. 2, 2009 and
June 30, 2009. More Americans nationwide are saying this year that
they are conservative than have made that claim in any of the last four
years.
See:
http://www.gallup.com/poll/122333/Political-Ideology-Conservative-Label-Prevails-South.aspx#2
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Do you know a hardworking GOP activist deserving of an award?
The
Montgomery County Republican Party is now seeking nominations for four
prestigious awards categories. Deadline for consideration is September 10, 2009. Categories are:
ALBERT
BULLOCK YOUTH AWARD - Presented to honor and recognize outstanding
achievement and work for the Montgomery County Republican Party in 2008
by a person under the age of 25.
FORBES
BLAIR AWARD - Presented to honor and recognize lifetime achievement and
work for the Montgomery County Republican Party by an individual.
REPUBLICAN
MAN OF THE YEAR - Presented to honor and recognize outstanding
achievement and work for the Montgomery County Republican Party in 2008
by a man.
REPUBLICAN
WOMAN OF THE YEAR - Presented to honor and recognize outstanding
achievement and work for the Montgomery County Republican Party in 2008
by a woman.
To
be considered for an award, a nomination form must be completed and
should include a statement of justification with supporting
documentation. Nominations may be sent to Rachael Gingrich at [email protected] or the Montgomery County Republican Central Committee, Attention Awards Committee, 15833 Crabbs Branch Way, Rockville, MD 20855. (301) 417-9256. Nomination forms may be found on the Montgomery County Republican Party website: http://www.mcgop.net or by writing to the awards committee at the email/address above.
Please note that MontgomeryCounty Republican Central Committee members
and elected officials are ineligible for the awards.
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Congressman Van Hollen Will (Finally) Hold
a Health Care Meeting
Norman Rockwell's "Freedom of Speech"
It will take place on Friday, August 28 at 10:00 a.m. in the ballroom of Clubhouse One. Seating is limited and you must register with the E&R office. That phone number is 301-598-1300 It is extremely important you let your concerns be known!
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Come to a Grand Old Party with Bob and Kendell Ehrlich!
on Sunday, September 20, 5:00-7:30 p.m.
cocktails and hors d'oeuvres. Bid on terrific silent auction items!
Hosted by the Chevy Chase Women's Republican Club, $40. To RSVP and for more information, e-mail Martha Scully
or call at 301-910-3189 |
Please support the First Annual FreedomFest BBQ and Concert at Walter Reed Hospital on September 12, 2009, sponsored by the Montgomery County Young Republicans
They will be hosting a bar-b-que and a concert for the soldiers at Walter Reed Hospital as a "Thank You!" for their sacrifices and service.
It will take place at the Mologne House, a hotel situated on the medical base which provides housing to 280 soldiers and their families.
Please click here for more information and a letter from MCYR president Mike Gibble:
Invitation to Freedom Fest
Mike can be reached at [email protected] or by calling 202-441-6963
Please show your gratitude by supporting this noble cause. |
COME TO A FAMILY FUN NIGHT POTLUCK FUNDRAISER ON AUGUST 29, 5 - 9 p.m. TO BENEFIT FISHER HOUSE 
Music, Singing & Dancing
By Eddie Hitt of The
Karaoke Jukebox.
Cash
Bar, Door Prizes, Games & Silent Auction - Fun for All
BROUGHT TO YOU BY THE
UPPER MONTGOMERY REPUBLICAN WOMEN'S CLUB
Saturday, August 29, 2009 5-9pm
VFW Post No.9862
211K North Frederick Ave., Gaithersburg,
MD 20877
(In the Duval
Shopping Center lower
level behind 711)
Proceeds to Help
Fisher House
Supporting America's
military in their time of need, Fisher House provides "a home away from home" that enables family members to
be close to a loved one at the most stressful time -- during hospitalization
for an illness, disease or injury.
Bring your Family and a dish to share
And have a great time while
supporting a great cause
Adults
$20.00, Children 12 & under $10.00, 4 & under Free
Contact Anna Mell at 301-540-0061
Mail Checks Payable to "UMRWC" to
12600 Running Brook Dr., Clarksburg,
MD 20871
Email [email protected]
or [email protected] with
responses
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Montgomery
County Republican Chairman
Mark Uncapher on the
"Political Pulse" TV
replayed on:
- Saturday, August 22 at 6pm
-
Sunday, August 23rd at 6:00 p.m.; and
-
Tuesday, August 25th at 9:30 p.m.
Topics that will be discussed include the 2010 races and issues that the
Republican Party will focus on and also the state of the Party
in Montgomery County
and Maryland.
Political Pulse is on Channel 16 TV
in Montgomery County.
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Republican Central Committee Seeks Bookkeeper
The Montgomery County Central Central Committee is currently looking for a
part-time bookkeeper.
The candidate should be experienced with Intuit QuickBooks, able to maintain the
Committee's contributor database and familiar with Maryland State Board
of Elections 'ELECTrack' filing system.
Send resumes to: [email protected]
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CONTACT YOUR CENTRAL COMMITTEE MEMBERS:
Hon. Moshe Starkman - 19
Treasurer
[email protected]
Hon. Gus Alzona - 16 [email protected]
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Past Party Line
Newsletters
August 8, 2009
July 25, 2009
July 4, 2009
June 20, 2009
June 6, 2009
May 23, 2009
May 9, 2009
April 25, 2009
April 11, 2009
March 28, 2009
March 14, 2009
February 28, 2009
February 3, 2009
January 2009
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