Allow the Bush tax cuts to expire

August 8, 2010 3 Comments

Our government has a cost

 

President Obama made a campaign promise to allow the Bush Tax cuts to expire for those people at the highest tax bracket.  I believe we should allow all the Bush tax cuts from 2003 to expire at the end of this year.   I do not want to pay any more taxes than anyone else, but the truth is that there is a cost associated with running the government and that cost should be shared among everyone.  Many economist told us that those tax cuts were needed to stimulate the economy.   Now some economists are telling us that the climb in our deficit was a major reason leading to our current recession.  I believe they are right.  It does not make sense that reducing our revenue and increasing spending will lead to prosperity.  We can cut our national deficit by 30% if we allow all the Bush tax cuts to expire.   

I believe that Americans are willing to pay taxes, but they want value for their money.   There are too many stories about big money interests using taxpayer funds for their own interests.  I have studied the analysis from several top economists about our current economy.   In every case the concept of tax cuts to upper middle class and upper class brackets did not have a positive effect on the economy because those people use the tax cuts to pay off debt or increase savings.  We know that extending unemployment benefits stimulates the economy because the people receiving the benefits live from pay check to pay check.     

I propose that the federal government sponsors major projects that add value to our community.  In California I believe transportation projects would stimulate the economy and immediately add value to our community.  High paying jobs would be created this year.  There are many projects pending that are shovel ready with plans already approved.  The the federal government should team with local agencies to produce transportation systems that would give value for decades.  The people would see value for their taxes.    A major transportation project would help the environment, cut energy consumption, and make travel much more convenient for everyone.   

It is not difficult to make the case for moving forward with major transportation projects.  What we need is in-depth research that lets us know how the money will spent and who will benefit from the project.  It is critical for the taxpayers to get as much value for their money as possible.  All aspects of projects must be open to the public.  We need people who will take the time to do the research and document that research so we can have access to information recorded from the taxpayer prospective.  Polly Dicta is sponsoring White Papers about major projects.  Please send me your comments about the tax cuts and government projects.  I know America will be a better place if more Americans take part in how our government works.  Let me know what you think.  

Jim Brandt, Facebook    

Filed under Economy, Government Spending/Budget Reform

3,000 consecutive days of running 30 minutes or more

June 8, 2010 2 Comments

3,000 consecutive days of running

 

Yesterday I completed 3,000 consecutive days of running 30 minutes or more .  I started this effort back on March 7, 2002.  I ran in Turkey 2002, Australia and New Zealand  2003, the Marine Corps Marathon in Washington DC 2005, the Philippines several times, and Tokyo in 2006.   I was committed to do everything I could through my behavior to cut my healthcare cost.  I am careful to complete all my annual physical exams and all preventive health activities.  I support a healthy diet and lifestyle.  I believe we all have a responsibility to our selves and our community to make a reasonable effort to support our health.    

I applied the concept of metrics to my healthcare.  When I started this current running streak I decided to count the consecutive days for motivation.  I used the approach of identifying measurements (# of consecutive days in this case) and tracking the results to define success. I used this approach many times in business.  I also defined metrics and tracked results with my diet.  I track the number of days I that I do not eat specific types of food.  I also track the number of consecutive days that I took a salad to work for lunch.  During my non-running workout I track the number of push-ups, sit-ups, and exercise wheel reps I do.  So far this year I have done over 8,000 push-ups.  Establishing goals and tracking activities that lead to the goal does work.  It creates urgency which leads to successful results.     

I belive we can apply metrics to many things such as advancing causes, supporting government reforms, and helping the environment.  I track the number of consecutive days I walk to the grocery store and take my Polly Dicta re-usable bag to carry the groceries.  You can customize your daily routine so that you track your activities and define success.    

Metrics works for me, what works for you.  I would love to hear your success stories.    

Jim Brandt, Facebook  

Filed under Cause, Healthcare

Gulf Oil Spill – Who is in charge?

May 25, 2010 Leave a Comment

Gulf Coast Oil Spill Damage

 

 After watching Tony Haywood, CEO of British petroleum, walk along the beach with a herd of cameras and reporters following him; it gave one the image of an oil executive running our Gulf Coast.  I must admit that the image is better than the ones over the weekend taken in his lavash office.   Is Tony Haywood in charge of our beaches?  It may sound like a strange question, but when The Secretary of Energy, Steven Chu was asked about the oil spill on the Rachael Maddow show , he said, “I only know what I read in the papers”.  Steven Chu stated that he became aware that applications to drill deeper than 5,000 feet from the surface were pushed through and approved.  These applications were approved even though we have no technology to fix a leak at those depths.   

The Mineral Management Agency is responsible for oversite.  Over the weekend several stories broke about gifts, golf outings, football games, and job offers that were accepted by Mineral Management Agency inspectors who approved oil drilling applications.  Again, I ask, who is in charge?  How can we have confidence in our government when the people assigned to protect us are engaged in conflicts of interest.   After the environment is under control, these conflict of interest issues must be reviewed.  Right now politics and the blame game must wait so we can spend all our resources saving the environment and the people affected by the disaster.  

I believe the Obama administration acted quickly and deployed resources to the region in a responsible way.  However, the events of the past few days have left me with the feeling that the administration is hiding behind the fact that they do not have the knowledge or resources to fix the problem so they are relying on BP to drive the solution.  We need the politics to be put aside.  In stead of seeing Tony Haywood walking along the beach in the news broadcasts, I would like to see our leaders driving the effort.  It was not that long ago that the oil companies drove prices to mid $4 per gallon level making life difficult for many Americans while oil company profits hit record levels.  The oil company explanation was that they had to spend so much money on R&D and their risks were very high.  Well, oil spills are one of their risks.  We had to pay the high prices then, I think all the companies oil companies should take a much more direct role to apply the resources necessary to do the right thing.  I want to see our government take the leadership role and put the pressure on the entire oil industry.   

We will have plenty of time to find blame, now we need leadership.  Let me know what you think.  

Jim Brandt, Facebook

Filed under Cause, Energy, Environment, Uncategorized

Sarah Palin confused or trying to sell books?

May 25, 2010 Leave a Comment

Sarah Palin

 

After watching a news clip from Fox News from Sunday, May 23, I could not believe what Sarah Palin said.  She actually suggested that there was a connection between President Obama’s campaign contributions from gas & oil companies and his approach to the oil disaster in the gulf.  Wasn’t Sarah Palin the one who said “drill baby drill” during the 2008 campaign?  

According to USA Today dated May 24, candidate Obama’s contributions from oil and gas companies was $900,000 while candidate McCain collected $2.4 million.  

I remember candidate Obama suggesting an excess profit tax for the oil companies when the oil companies raised their prices to record levels.  Either Sarah Palin has completely lost her ability to link one fact to another or she is just trying to promote herself and her books. 

The greater point here is that too many people have something to sell and the facts fall victim to their overall goal.  I am not happy with the way the Obama administration is handling the oil disaster.  It seems like they are more concerned with not getting blamed than they are about taking care of the problem.   I believe they should take charge and reach out to the other oil companies for more help.  It is in the interest of the other oil companies to fix this problem quickly or they will all suffer.  I think it is good that the administration acknowledges that they do not have the resources to do the cleanup themselves, but the people are entitled to oversight and we are not seeing enough of it.   This is an environmental disaster which deserves a focused effort with urgency, not a political approach that is more concerned about blame than the long-term outlook.  

I will watch the administration very closely and if I do not see more urgency I will continue to write about it, but I am not going to let the BP off the hook or mis represent facts.  Please let me know your thoughts. 

Jim Brandt,  Facebook

Filed under Cause, Energy, Environment, Uncategorized

Ret. State Senator Karnette on the economy

March 31, 2010 Leave a Comment

I was attending a board meeting at Retired State Senator Betty Karnette’s house earlier this week.  Senator Karnette led the group through the planned agenda.  It did not take long after the agenda was complete for the economy to surface as a hot topic.  Everyone agreed about the urgency to do something to stimulate the economy but there was not agreement on an approach.  The group discussed topics of immigration, American manufacturing, and support of American made products.  There seemed to a division in the room among all the people.  One person took an idealistic approach, a couple of people wanted practical solutions that could produce measurable results, and other people were quiet. 

As the discussion began to lose any sense of direction, Senator Karnette showed that leadership she demonstrated so many times in the legislature.  She began to speak while the rest of the people in the room sat and listened.  Senator Karnette made the point that California needs high paying  jobs that will address serious challenges that affect the state for decades to come.   Transportation is one of the major challenges facing California for now and in the forseeable future.  She explained that both the chairperson of the California Senate Transportation Committee and the chairperson of the California Assembly Transportation Committee are local and that both legislators are very approachable.  Senator Karnette said that we need to work with both legislators to advance major construction projects that will bring high paying jobs that will last many years and the projects will improve the quality of life for the people of California.  The energy of the people in the room and the people they represent need  to focus on an effort that will help the economy and improve the future of California at the same time.   

I am sharing this story with you for two reasons.  First, I agree with Senator Karnette that we need to face our challenges and work on the economy at the same time.  My second reasons is that we need to share success stories about our elected leaders current or retired.  We do have honest leaders who have the leadership skills to help us move in the direction we wish to go.   Maybe you think there are other projects that have more priority than transportation.  That is a debate worth having.  I would love to consider the merits of several projects that could make America a better place to live while defining spending priorities.  Recently, all we hear is personal attacks instead of the  benefits and negative points of valid proposals.  Please send me your comments about the economy,leadership, or any other subject.

Filed under Economy, Government Spending/Budget Reform

The day after Healthcare Reform

March 24, 2010 2 Comments

The long-awaited healthcare reform legislation was signed yesterday with plenty of drama from both sides of the bill.  I do not think life in America will end as we know it and I do not think healthcare is going to be available to everyone this year.  I do believe the heated debate from both sides of the issue had a significant impact on the final legislation.  The people who did not want a single payer system were successful in even keeping the public option out of the legislation.  The people who wanted a law that requires everyone to have healthcare insurance prevailed on that issue although it will be several years.  I am not sure how important my views are but I will share them with you to draw comments if for no other reason.  Your view is the important issue here.  I believe the legislation that is implemented this year is critical for America.  Stopping insurance companies from dropping families because one of their children is very sick was important to me.  Removing the ceiling on coverage was something I have worked toward for several years.  stopping insurance companies from refusing policies because of pre-existing conditions will help a significant number of Americans.  I am as concerned about the cost as everyone else.  However I know the cost is very high now to take care of the uninsured people in emergency rooms. 

When I talked with my clients who are business owners, they speak about healthcare costs putting them out of business because the other 20 industrialized nations have universal healthcare so companies from those countries do not have healthcare cost.  This allows them to compete stronger against American companies.  I know many professionals who can not leave their company because a family member has a pre-existing condition and they know that healthcare insurance will not be available to them if they go to another company. 

Over the next several months I am sure many flaws in this legislation will be discovered and debated.  I am all for that.  I do not think calling people names or trying to scare people with misrepresented facts will help us improve healthcare and reduce the cost.

I do know that reducing Medicare fraud and insurance fraud can save us tens of billions of dollars per year.  I definitely think we should use more resources to stop people from stealing from the taxpayers. 

These are my thoughts on the day after healthcare reform please post your comments and I promise to respond.

Filed under Cause, Healthcare, Uncategorized

Healthcare and Technology

March 14, 2010 Leave a Comment

Last week I attended the Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society (HIMSS) conference in Atlanta.  This organization was created almost 50 years ago.  The nation’s top healthcare technology professionals participated in this annual conference.  Of course I sat through several sessions listening to high level speakers talk about the Obama initiatives and how those initiatives will change healthcare as we know it.  Terms like EMR (electronic medical record), CPOE (computerized physician order entry), and HIS (hospital information system) were debated endlessly.  One point that came across loud and clear was that reducing healthcare cost and improving the delivery of healthcare was much more than a government problem.  The technology leaders were confident that they do not have to wait for a government program; efficiency and cost can be improved dramatically with more advanced systems.  Using electronic medical records instead of paper will make the information available to all healthcare professionals who need the information when they need it. 

Chesley Sullenberger, the pilot who landed the US Air plane on the Hudson River was a keynote speaker.  He explained how the American medical community could learn a lesson from American aviation.  He reviewed the outstanding safety record of American aviation.  He stressed how few aviation accidents America has experienced per million flight hours.  Then he repeated the statistics spoken by many speakers before him about the track record for healthcare.  He made an interesting observation.  He said the difference between American Aviation and American Healthcare is that the FAA allows pilots and air crew members to report mistakes without penalty.  The FAA has built a database of reports from crew members for decades.  They work hard to help improve procedures from the mistakes and make sure those mistakes do not turn into injury or loss of life.  Healthcare does not work that way.  I was a pilot in the Marine Corps and I do remember the aviation culture that encouraged reporting of any situation that affected the safety of the plane or its crew.  I do not have experience in the healthcare industry so I am not sure about the comparison, but I am going to do some research and post a new blog when I know more.

Another memorable session was about Medicare fraud.  The speaker said that Medicare fraud was between 10% and 15% of the entire Medicare budget.  I was shocked to learn that people were stealing that much money from all of us.  According to The Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation the 2009 Medicare budget was about $420 billion.  That means that people are stealing between $40 billion and $60 billion a year.  The link to the fact sheet from the Kaiser Family Foundation is here.  Examples of obvious claims included:  doctors who billed over 80 hours in a day, clinics who billed for doctors who had died three years earlier, and claims for women who received prostate procedures.  It is clear that technology can prevent many of these claims from being paid.  The speaker made the point that for every dollar spent on investigators the government receives $1.50 in fines and/or savings. 

Today I talk with California Assemblyman Hector De La Torre (candidate for California Insurance Commissioner).  When I asked him about the level of Medicare fraud he agreed with the estimate and mentioned that the level of Medicaid fraud in California is very high as well.  He gave me similar examples of fraud in California. 

I feel strongly that regardless of the healthcare bill from Congress, there are many things we can do to control the cost of healthcare and improve the quality.  We can all work hard to support our own health by maintaining fitness, eating properly, and exercising good judgement on preventative exams.   You should work as hard as you can to advance the healthcare bill you think will be best for America, But none of us should wait for the government.  We need to do all we can to make things better now.

Filed under Cause, Healthcare

Welcome to Polly Dicta

March 9, 2010 Leave a Comment

More and more people feel their elected leaders do not listen to them.  Polly Dicta was created to help people work together to make sure their leaders understand the people’s concerns and the government’s priorities are based on the needs of the people not the desires of the special interests who finance elections.  We do still have the power of the vote and we need to exercise that power.  The Polly Dicta website is an information portal that will give grass root people a voice.   As a group we can have a voice by commenting to this blog, responding to a Polly Dicta survey, writing a White Paper that Polly Dicta will publish, and attending scheduled events.

Polly Dicta is committed to advance three government reforms that are needed to bring real democracy back to America.  The three government reforms include:  1)  transparent budget and spending process, 2) representative districts, and 3) campaign finance reform.  We must all work as hard as we can to implement these reforms.  Until we advance these reforms, our leaders will not make us a priority. 

Polly Dicta is also committed to supporting four causes:  1) economy, 2) healthcare, 3) environment, and 4) energy.  We are not waiting for the government to advance these causes.  We need to improve all four causes collectively through our own individual behavior. 

The book “Polly Dicta – giving real democracy a voice” is available in paperback or e-book format.  Click on the following link for information or to purchase the book – Polly Dicta Book. 

I will do my best to post recent relevent news articles on the Polly Dicta website to help keep you informed.  I would appreciate any comments or suggestions.  We all need people who have the time to conduct research on specific reforms or causes and submit that research as a White Paper to Polly Dicta to publish. 

As we have more subscribers to the Polly Dicta website, we will begin conducting surveys and send the results directly to the appropriate members of congress.  We will track all information by congressional district.

Filed under Cause, Government Reform

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