Sunday, May 2, 2010
New Site for the Blog
To help consolidate the campaign, there is now a blog on my new website -- www.folkens4congress.com. Please visit the site to see not only my latest blogs, but any new information about the campaign. I will leave this site up so interested people can still access my older blogs.
Saturday, April 24, 2010
Folkens vs. Baca -- The Battle Begins
Well it has been some time since my last post, and those 4 months have been very intense! But things are finally getting back to "insane" and it is time to hit some new blogs. This last Tuesday, the local paper published my Letter to the Editor (but it dropped off their website so I can't just do the link). And then yesterday, Congressman Baca published a rather large response to my letter -- mentioning me by name several times. I can't be that the powerful head of the Baca dynasty is starting to get worried? I know this will be rather long, but here is my letter and the Congressman's response. You decide who sounds more honest.
"Fuzzy Math?"
In an article published April 13 and again on April 14, Congressman Joe Baca applauds the recent Democratic takeover of America's health system and student loan process for saving #1.3 trillion over the next 20 years -- which amounts to $65 billion per year.
I would be interested in seeing where these savings come from. Since it appears that no one even knows all of the details of the bill, I would like to know how he can know how much it will save us.
Can the savings come from hiring thousands of new IRS agents to enforce the health care takeover? Or maybe it will come from cutting out medical benefits currently provided to the members of our senior citizen community?
Can Mr. Baca cite any examples when a government entitlement program came even close to costing what Congress has guessed it would cost -- Medicare, Medicaid, Social Security, War on Poverty? So why should we believe that the promised made by this current Congress or president in regards to health care will "save" us money by giving it away?
And with regard to the takeover of the student loan system, we can only assume that it will be handled with the same government efficiency that Gave us Fannie Mae and Freddi Mac! I hope the congressman will make sure that Sen. Chris Dodd and Rep. Barney Frank will ensure transparency and competency in this new government-run loan racket.
For those who spend all of those hours with the chairman of the Congressional Golf Caucus, you might want to check his score card to make sure he doesn't use government math to keep score.
Scott Folkens
"Health care reform will save money" by Congressman Joe Baca
I write in response to the letter "Fuzzy Math," April 20. The writer of the letter, Mr. Scott Folkens, seems to discredit the assertion made by the nonpartisan Congressional Budge Office that health reform lowers our national deficit by $1/3 trillion over the next 20 years.
I urge Mr. Folkens to actually study the health reform legislation instead of simply repeating sound bites he hears from the right-wing media and the GOP leader of the Party of No here in Washington.
Let me make the math quite simple for Mr. Folkens. Americans spend nearly $2.5 trillion every year on health care costs. Health reform saves money by reducing fraud, abuse and waste in our medical system, by holding insurance companies accountable to end their price-gouging practices, and by focusing on prevention and wellness programs -- which reduce the need for more costly treatments of health conditions later in life.
It also moves Medicare and other government medical reimbursements to a system of value-based payment, meaning providers will be rewarded for the value of the care they give, not the volume of care.
A prime example of cost savings can be seen in the Medicare Advantage program, one of the most inefficient programs found in the entire government. Economist have estimated that for every tax dollar currently spend on Medicare Advantage, 14 percent is passed on to seniors while 86 percent goes straight to the profits of insurance companies. Health reform reduces this improper use of taxpayer money, and instead improves Medicare benefits for all seniors by: 1) giving a #250 one-time credit to all seniors affected by the "doughnut hole" this year, and eventually closing the "doughnut hole" completely so seniors can afford the prescription drugs they need; 2) providing free annual wellness exams and preventive tests to all Medicare recipients, and 3) protecting Medicare solvency for the next decade.
In regard to the so-called "government takeover: of the student loan system, the vast majority of colleges and universities in California have already switched over to the Direct Loan Programs, which this bill makes the new law of the land.
I encourage Mr. Folkens to contact our local universities, colleges, and community colleges and ask them their thought on the new student loan reform. Do they dislike the increase in Pell Grants this bill provides. Or the lowering of interest rates on student loans? Maybe they dislike the $500 million a year this bill invests in community colleges across the country? Or could it be the $3 billion that will be invested in minority-serving institutions like Hispanic-serving institutes and historically black colleges and universities?
No, the truth is that local colleges and universities are ecstatic with this student loan reform. These changes are good for students and families struggling to afford a college education, and good for our colleges and university systems across the country.
As for Mr. Folkens and the Party of No, it's the same old rhetoric. Time and time again, when given the opportunity to stand with America's working families and fight for lower health and education costs, they say no.
I am proud to tell you that I said yes to legislation that provides health coverage to 32 million previously uninsured Americans; yes to legislation that ends the denial of care because of pre-existing conditions; yes to legislation that lowers student loan costs and sends more kids to college; and yes to legislation that, as much as some may try to mislead you, actually lowers the deficit by $1.3 trillion over the next 20 years.
"Fuzzy Math?"
In an article published April 13 and again on April 14, Congressman Joe Baca applauds the recent Democratic takeover of America's health system and student loan process for saving #1.3 trillion over the next 20 years -- which amounts to $65 billion per year.
I would be interested in seeing where these savings come from. Since it appears that no one even knows all of the details of the bill, I would like to know how he can know how much it will save us.
Can the savings come from hiring thousands of new IRS agents to enforce the health care takeover? Or maybe it will come from cutting out medical benefits currently provided to the members of our senior citizen community?
Can Mr. Baca cite any examples when a government entitlement program came even close to costing what Congress has guessed it would cost -- Medicare, Medicaid, Social Security, War on Poverty? So why should we believe that the promised made by this current Congress or president in regards to health care will "save" us money by giving it away?
And with regard to the takeover of the student loan system, we can only assume that it will be handled with the same government efficiency that Gave us Fannie Mae and Freddi Mac! I hope the congressman will make sure that Sen. Chris Dodd and Rep. Barney Frank will ensure transparency and competency in this new government-run loan racket.
For those who spend all of those hours with the chairman of the Congressional Golf Caucus, you might want to check his score card to make sure he doesn't use government math to keep score.
Scott Folkens
"Health care reform will save money" by Congressman Joe Baca
I write in response to the letter "Fuzzy Math," April 20. The writer of the letter, Mr. Scott Folkens, seems to discredit the assertion made by the nonpartisan Congressional Budge Office that health reform lowers our national deficit by $1/3 trillion over the next 20 years.
I urge Mr. Folkens to actually study the health reform legislation instead of simply repeating sound bites he hears from the right-wing media and the GOP leader of the Party of No here in Washington.
Let me make the math quite simple for Mr. Folkens. Americans spend nearly $2.5 trillion every year on health care costs. Health reform saves money by reducing fraud, abuse and waste in our medical system, by holding insurance companies accountable to end their price-gouging practices, and by focusing on prevention and wellness programs -- which reduce the need for more costly treatments of health conditions later in life.
It also moves Medicare and other government medical reimbursements to a system of value-based payment, meaning providers will be rewarded for the value of the care they give, not the volume of care.
A prime example of cost savings can be seen in the Medicare Advantage program, one of the most inefficient programs found in the entire government. Economist have estimated that for every tax dollar currently spend on Medicare Advantage, 14 percent is passed on to seniors while 86 percent goes straight to the profits of insurance companies. Health reform reduces this improper use of taxpayer money, and instead improves Medicare benefits for all seniors by: 1) giving a #250 one-time credit to all seniors affected by the "doughnut hole" this year, and eventually closing the "doughnut hole" completely so seniors can afford the prescription drugs they need; 2) providing free annual wellness exams and preventive tests to all Medicare recipients, and 3) protecting Medicare solvency for the next decade.
In regard to the so-called "government takeover: of the student loan system, the vast majority of colleges and universities in California have already switched over to the Direct Loan Programs, which this bill makes the new law of the land.
I encourage Mr. Folkens to contact our local universities, colleges, and community colleges and ask them their thought on the new student loan reform. Do they dislike the increase in Pell Grants this bill provides. Or the lowering of interest rates on student loans? Maybe they dislike the $500 million a year this bill invests in community colleges across the country? Or could it be the $3 billion that will be invested in minority-serving institutions like Hispanic-serving institutes and historically black colleges and universities?
No, the truth is that local colleges and universities are ecstatic with this student loan reform. These changes are good for students and families struggling to afford a college education, and good for our colleges and university systems across the country.
As for Mr. Folkens and the Party of No, it's the same old rhetoric. Time and time again, when given the opportunity to stand with America's working families and fight for lower health and education costs, they say no.
I am proud to tell you that I said yes to legislation that provides health coverage to 32 million previously uninsured Americans; yes to legislation that ends the denial of care because of pre-existing conditions; yes to legislation that lowers student loan costs and sends more kids to college; and yes to legislation that, as much as some may try to mislead you, actually lowers the deficit by $1.3 trillion over the next 20 years.
Thursday, December 24, 2009
Merry CHRISTmas!!
I have come to realize that Facebook seems to have become my new "blog". So if you are reading this, I invite you to join me on Facebook. I hope that you and your loved ones have a very, Merry CHRISTmas!!
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
November 11th -- Veteran's Day and ...?
I don't know if my FaceBook question was that hard or if people are just waiting to see the answer.
In the Name of God. Amen
It is frustrating that most Americans can not name the document that this quote comes from, much less what day it happened. (I will admit that I often forget the day because it falls on Veteran's Day). But the event is one of the most important in U.S. History. For those who wrongly think that America was not founded on Christian principles -- I suggest you read our important historical documents, starting with....
The Mayflower Compact!! November 11, 1620, the Pilgrims and most of the men on the Mayflower agreed that they would set up a "body politick" to govern them. This compact mentions God and godly goals several times. Better not let the activist judges know -- never mind -- most of them have no clue what our Founding Father's and documents said.
Hope you had a great Veteran's Day and a good Mayflower Compact Day.
If you can read this, thank a teacher. If you can read it in English, thank a Veteran!!
God Bless!
In the Name of God. Amen
It is frustrating that most Americans can not name the document that this quote comes from, much less what day it happened. (I will admit that I often forget the day because it falls on Veteran's Day). But the event is one of the most important in U.S. History. For those who wrongly think that America was not founded on Christian principles -- I suggest you read our important historical documents, starting with....
The Mayflower Compact!! November 11, 1620, the Pilgrims and most of the men on the Mayflower agreed that they would set up a "body politick" to govern them. This compact mentions God and godly goals several times. Better not let the activist judges know -- never mind -- most of them have no clue what our Founding Father's and documents said.
Hope you had a great Veteran's Day and a good Mayflower Compact Day.
If you can read this, thank a teacher. If you can read it in English, thank a Veteran!!
God Bless!
Sunday, November 8, 2009
Lessons from History?
As a History teacher, I look for ways to tie history to present day situations. I often told students that if we don't understand where we came from we won't know where we are headed -- until it is too late! I find it interesting that the firs 10 days of November mark the anniversary of several important events in History. Events that if we are not careful can be repeated! Remember that history often repeats itself and unfortunately we don't seem to want to learn from history.
November 1938 -- The Nazis of Hitler's Germany launched Kristal Nacht -- an attack against the Jews of Germany which foreshadowed the coming Holocaust.
November 1979 -- The radical Muslim followers of the Ayatollah storm the American Embassy in Tehran and take American hostages, holding them hostage for 444 days.
November 1989 -- The Berlin Wall falls!! (On the 51st anniversary of Kristal Nacht)
Now for the history lesson. In the first two instances, radical followers of a charismatic leader who plastered his face everywhere (television, posters, speeches, etc) and blamed all of the nation's problems on the country's previous leaders forced citizens to obey the new "Order" or else suffer the consequences. And the fact that so-called leaders offered appeasement and apologies instead of determined leadership lead to major problems for America and the World. Anyone remember -- "We have peace in our time!"
The final situation which ended years of brutal oppression and allowed millions (eventually hundreds of millions) to experience freedom for the first time in their lives was only accomplished by a principled leader who stood his ground even when criticized by those who should have known better.
America is in need of a leader who will not cower, apologize, and appease!! We need a leader who will lead us and protect us -- not take away our freedoms and liberty!
November 1938 -- The Nazis of Hitler's Germany launched Kristal Nacht -- an attack against the Jews of Germany which foreshadowed the coming Holocaust.
November 1979 -- The radical Muslim followers of the Ayatollah storm the American Embassy in Tehran and take American hostages, holding them hostage for 444 days.
November 1989 -- The Berlin Wall falls!! (On the 51st anniversary of Kristal Nacht)
Now for the history lesson. In the first two instances, radical followers of a charismatic leader who plastered his face everywhere (television, posters, speeches, etc) and blamed all of the nation's problems on the country's previous leaders forced citizens to obey the new "Order" or else suffer the consequences. And the fact that so-called leaders offered appeasement and apologies instead of determined leadership lead to major problems for America and the World. Anyone remember -- "We have peace in our time!"
The final situation which ended years of brutal oppression and allowed millions (eventually hundreds of millions) to experience freedom for the first time in their lives was only accomplished by a principled leader who stood his ground even when criticized by those who should have known better.
America is in need of a leader who will not cower, apologize, and appease!! We need a leader who will lead us and protect us -- not take away our freedoms and liberty!
Monday, October 26, 2009
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
Kool-Aid Drinkers of the World -- Unite!
It has been a busy week or so since I last left a blog, and there has been plenty to talk about.
#1 Can anyone explain to me what has happened to the so-called "Global Warming" disaster that was supposed to destroy the world? It appears that the only thing being destroyed are the lives of millions of poor people in 3rd World/Developing countries. The costs of "offsets" is wasting billions of dollars, destroying efficiency and productivity, and ruining the lives of untold millions. Even the BBC (not a bastion of flaming conservatives) is questioning the legitimacy of the global warming hoax. I wonder if it is too late for the jokers at the Nobel Prize factory to take back Al Gore's "illustrious prize"? Speaking of the enlightened leftists at the Nobel Prize factory...
#2 Mr. Nobel must be turning over in his grave. How many bogus awards do they have to give out before someone figures out that the "committee" no longer is in touch with reality. It is sad to see such a distinguished program continue its slide into irrelevancy. For those die-hard kool-aid drinkers, please attempt to explain the "Anointed One's" recent award.
#3 The Governator lied (again and again) and the strength of the California family and children has once again been attacked. A school holiday for Harvey Milk!!! Please, I don't even think Kool-Aid drinkers can come up with any justification for this one.
#4 Speaking of Gays and the Anointed One -- Mr. Obama gave a speech to the largest homosexual activist organization in America and promised that he would end the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy in our military. Once again, a "commander-in-chief" with ZERO military experience and ZERO respect for our military is attempting to destroy our military. Added to his removal of a defensive missile system (it is only offensive to those who hope to launch missiles at innocent people) and his refusal to honor the request of his top General and send more troops to Afghanistan, how long until he gets to show us how he will handle an attack on American soil.
#5 Speaking of Afghanistan -- who would have thought I would ever say this?! Thank you Senator Dianne Feinstein!! It has been reported that she is asking for more troops in Afghanistan. I believe this is only the second time in history that I have agreed with/thanked the Senator. But I firmly believe that thanks are in order for this!
I realize this has been long, but so much has happened recently. I urge you to visit my web site at http://www.folkens4congress.com/ to see how you can help my campaign with only $10 or how you can sign up for my upcoming newsletters.
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