Socialism

With all the talk about the oncoming age of US socialism, I think it's only fair to state that Socialism is entitled to its day in the Sun. Capitalism has failed the working class miserably at this point with its shameless greed. There is absolutely no reason why people have to make more than Ten Million Dollars a year. The money being paid the Czars of Capitalism is obscene and without moral justification. We are not talking about the Henry Fords and Thomas Edisons of the world who create entire new industries which elevate the standard of living for millions of people. We are talking about people who's only claim to fame is using mirrors to make it appear that the economy is growing and there are millions of dollars floating around for everyone when in fact it's the same dollar floating around just at a very fast speed, a speed so fast no one can actually catch it. Yes, it's time for Socialism with all its ambition killing principles to have a go at keeping this country afloat for another generation. I don't think it will work, but fair is fair. The Capitalists don't deserve another chance to steal from the poor and give to the rich.

The best Health Care Plan

The best health care plan is a well paying job with benefits. It makes you feel secure, reduces stress and allows you to see a doctor with minimum financial consequences. While the number of unemployed citizens is unacceptable, it should not detract from the unemployment problem. This country needs new industries with well paying jobs. Employers need to be encouraged to provide health insurance for their employees and Doctors and Hospitals need to reduce costs. Three problems, each with a separate solution:
1. Government funding has to be poured into energy related industries in the US. Solar, Wind, battery technologies, etc., with emphasis on jobs physically located within the US.
2. Employers should not only be allowed to deduct the cost of employees' health insurance premiums but an additional percentage to cover overhead and incentive. Maybe start with 10%. No less than 5
3. Medical malpractice laws have to be changed. We need a system that works better for the injured party than Workman's Comp but costs less than our present litigation system.
The above three pronged attack would be much better than just pouring money at the health care insurance problem to win votes.

Obesity

Study after study is saying Obesity is a problem in America. It's time for America's intercessors to pray against the new "strong man" that rules over America. It's not murder, it's not lust, it's not even Greed (at least not exactly). No it's gluttony. Spell that Gluttony with a capital G. It's greed on the level of food. Or maybe greed is just another form of gluttony. Maybe they're the same thing with the only difference being how they manifest themselves. Regardless, prayer is needed to bind the strongman. The problem is that Gluttony is the trojan horse of Christianity. It disguises itself as "fellowship" and once it gets inside the church it reveals itself as brownies and bagels. It bribes the Christian Pastors and probably a Rabbi or two along the way to look the other way: to denounce cigarette smoking, dating and dancing while ignoring the gluttony that has made the older seats in the church obsolete because they are too small for the rear ends of today's christian soldiers. Before the Church can bind the strong man it needs to repent of its sin. It is time to for His people, who are called by His name to repent of gluttony and then He shall heal their nation(s) because it's not the rum that has done us in but the crumbs on our face.

Mass Transportation

It has been years since I have had to commute into NYC from my Long Island home but there are members of the family who still do. The recent talk of a fare increase on the LIRR shows the basic inequity of a blanket fare increase across the board for commuters of varying incomes. It's time to resurrect the idea of a tax credit for mass transportation expenses. It could be phased out at higher income levels but that probably would just result in the richer folks who can afford parking fees to drive their cars into the less than pristine air of Bloombergville. Why give a government subsidy to the Railroad when we can give it to the commuter. Than the railroad can raise the fares as they need the money and the commuters can deduct the fare from their tax bills. A five year trial program in which the results of the first three years could be analyzed and used as a basis for recommending the continuation, cancellation or modification of the credit is a worthwhile attempt at fairness to lower income commuters, decreasing auto usage and the demand for gasoline, and improving overall air quality.