If the truth is what you’re after, don’t debate. Investigate.

Today we are met daily with important and sometimes complex issues large and small. Political, economic, scientific, religious, ecological, ethics, and even the blending of these, forming sometimes mind bogglingly complex problems.

It occurs, that as we express and discuss our sometimes very differing views, leading to conflict, anger, frustration, and painful feelings we many times loose sight of our ultimate common goal in all this. That is, what is the truth here?

We all have opinions. Sometimes they are solidified by extensive research, third party verifications, and other forms of serious investigative research. And sometimes we don’t do all that. Maybe we don’t have the time. Maybe its not a priority for us right now. Maybe we don’t know how to do that sort of thing and all we have is a kind of feeling about it. Never-the-less we form an opinion usually. Here’s where the trouble starts and its not that we have opinions. No, the trouble starts from the fact that we cling to these opinions. We are attached to them. We even invest a bit of our identity in these opinions. So much so that if someone attacks or even questions our opinion, we feel like we have been attacked personally. Someone just attacked us. We have a physical reaction. It feels like we were hit --- right in our opinion.

IF we are truly after the truth. Really. Then we can loosen our grip on our opinions can’t we? Not be so attached to what we presently think about something? Just let it go with the faith that if its the truth, we won't loose it for good. Its always there for us to know right? In a discussion with another or a group, we might find out our opinion was correct. We might find out our opinion was partially correct. We might find out we were totally mistaken too. The point is that if the truth is really what we’re after, then it doesn’t matter right? We end up with the truth and this is good. And if it turns out that one of the people we are having this investigative discussion with seems to be able to point out the truth about something, and so we come to see the truth about that something, then how is that a problem for us? Now they can be curious and gracious and kind about it. Or they can be a jerk about it too. But even then, we arrive at the truth don't we? We have expanded and clarified our view of the world, and maybe they only remain a jerk. That would be too bad for them. We can have compassion for them caught in such an ego net. But they still helped us arrive at the truth about something. Thank you very much I say.

So, what kind of dialogue fosters and encourages investigation and discovery as opposed to debate and argument? I think having a kind of background intension that we are in a process of inquiry and discovery is helpful. That we are working together trying to find out what's what. As we’re in dialogue, being kind, very patient, and respectful, listening carefully, not interrupting, and speaking carefully, mindfully, thoughtfully, is also helpful. Also noticing any internal reactions we might have as we listen can be very illuminating, about the subject being discussed as well as about ourselves. This kind of dialogue is very different, feels very different from a debate or argument. Any excitement arises from real discovery and insight. There is none of the kind of "boxing match" kind of excitement. This is not a contest of any kind. There is no competitive flavor at all. This is a collaboration leading to discovery of what the truth is with the subject being discussed, freshly looked at by all.

To do this of course we have to let go of what we believe. Just set it aside. The truth cannot be harmed, cannot be changed, and if we ever knew it in the first place, cannot be lost. The truth doesn’t care who knows it or doesn’t know it. It simply is there for us to see or not see. So, if what we believe was in fact true, we will rediscover it won’t we? Nothing important is lost. And really when you think about it, nothing is at risk either. We only stand to gain, to benefit. There's no down side in this type of dialogue. And if it turns out our belief was not true, then who needs it? I’d much rather see and know the truth, than live in delusion.

Be well and happy and maybe a little bit curious too.

A Health Care Solution

Change the Way you Think

In spite of what one thinks, there may be a solution to the health-care "problem." Unfortunately, the solution means thinking about and doing things differently than the way we currently are. The thinking part of the two is the bigger hurdle. 

Tort Reform

Every aspect of life in America is affected by Tort Law. Every time you turn around, there's mean ol'  Mr.Tort looking at you. In your own home, to the car and street that gets you to work and to the store, even the kids Saturday ball game is ruled by Mr. Tort. From the grocer's shiny floor, to every product we use, including the cart you push, to even the structure of the building, to even the discourse between customers, all aspects of life in America are ruled by Mr.Tort. And he is a nasty and expensive guy. 

In 1978 Piper Aircraft employed  in excess of 8,000 men and women and sold over 5000 airplanes. By 1987 half of all their revenues went to cover Liability Insurance; by 1991 the company went bankrupt. This same scenario was playing itself out at all US based General Aviation (GA) plants. While some of our citizens had Sued Their Way to Wealth others had been sued to death. In 1994 the General Aviation Revitalization Act of 1994 put a lid on Tort Law as it related to GA; that piece of legislation had a singular effect on GA manufacturing in America: in 1997 GA manufacturers logged a record $4.7 billion in sales soaring over the previous year's sales by a whopping 66%! More details regarding the Act are here. 

I mention GARA simply to highlight the difference a day can make. GA was going broke, down the tubes of litigation hell, but was saved by tort reform. Today the entire Health Industry, something like 20% of the economy, is going down those same tubes, bankrupting not a handful of airplane makers but the whole country. Our political parties and elected officials are in the firm grip of the trial lawyers who are literally suing their way to wealth while breaking the backs of American middle class earners. Big pharma, hospitals, virtually all health-care providers, pay huge liability insurance premiums just to stay alive. Of course all costs are borne by the final user and in this case that's John Q. Public; in the form of expensive service, high insurance premiums and a dwindling supply of providers. The Health Care System, if it is to survive to provide service to the entire citizenry, must have Tort Reform.... NOW.

Ownership

Insurance is something we can all relate to. Most of us have car and home insurance, we pay for it ourselves and we are covered by it from coast to coast. We purchase and "own" our insurance. Most States require drivers to have insurance, yet we aren't screaming for government provided home and auto insurance. We shop around for it and try to get the best deal we can. Some buy more extensive coverage than others but a basic policy is required to own and drive car. But when it comes to health insurance, most of us do not "own" our policies but enjoy the coverage that is mostly provided by insurance that is "owned" by our employers. We don't even think about it, other than we want it and employers provide it. Employers purchase insurance and it covers their employees. The insurance company can not pick and choose which employees are covered... it's a package deal. Unfortunately when a worker quits or is fired or simply takes a work "break," the insurance coverage (eventually) is lost. Once one is on ones own the rules change. When an individual applies for coverage, pesky items like preexisting conditions, age and other health related issues come into play determining the cost and quality or even the availability of coverage. This should change.

Mandated

People buy cell phones and cell phone plans, they purchase flat screen TVs and Xboxes; they buy beer and cigarettes and chips and gadgets of every ilk... but they won't buy health insurance, if not covered by work many just chance it. What this really means is that someone else will pick-up the expense through ER service or failure to pay the providing doctor or hospital. We all pay through more costly services. Because, again, the final user pays all the expenses. This has to change, personal responsibility has to play a role, even if it is mandated.

Clinics

Everyone must be required to carry health insurance. The whole idea of insurance dissolves if only those that incur losses are covered. If that were the case premiums would be all but unaffordable. The insurance pool must include everyone, the young, the old, the healthy the sick... everyone must pay into the pool. That's the way insurance works. All health insurance should be available nationally, not restricted by State borders,  and all policies should be "owned" and paid for by the individual. Employers, relieved of insurance premiums would be required to pass on the insurance savings to employees. Employers would gladly relinquish this onerous responsibility and other savings, beyond the cost of premiums, would accrue to the employer. A basic health insurance policy, perhaps along the lines of "major-med" should be required of all citizens/residents. A "proof of coverage" can be easily devised, but everyone must be insured. Some individuals will fall through the cracks, as do some drivers. They would have to be insured by the state, and provided with the minimum coverage, service delivered by State supported public clinics. This service would be available to all those that fall below the poverty line, which would be adjusted to include the cost of medical insurance.

That leaves the illegals. As long as we allow them to enter the country, to stay, to work, and to raise families, we have no choice but to include them in State provided policies. This is just the practicality of the situation. We will not deny medical service to anyone. That's not who we are.

Private Sector

All the above should be provided by the private sector. We know from experience that the government cannot provide cost effecient and competitive service. With-out the profit motive and the efficiencies of the competitive market there are no savings, there is no efficiency... these things are the opposite of all that is embodied in the phrase, "government bureaucracy."

So there it is, by the numbers, five parts to a better system: 

• 1) TORT Reform
• 2) Ownership
• 3) Mandated
• 4) Clinics
• 5) Private Sector

Cheers, Mel Shapiro

I can't take it anymore!

Ok, I'm done. Cooked. Fried. Stick a fork in me.

I am sick and tired of the never-ending double-standard hypocrisy from the Democrats. Specifically, this post relates to Rep Wilson calling out "You lie" in the house chambers during Obama's speech.

Second, do you rememebr Charlie Gibson interviewing Sarah Palin and asking her what the Bush doctrine was? And basically making a fool of Palin with a trick question, which is why he got fired recently. Well, here's Gibson's response to an interviewer's question TODAY regarding the Acorn scandal and the bill the Senate just approved yesterday to stop funding Acorn. Listen to the audio: .Gibson's a fool

Here's a few "liar" examples of Democrats, "in the house chambers," calling Bush a liar. btw...no apologies were ever offered. Check it out: Liar, liar, pants on fire!

Lastly, Senate majority leader Harry Reid called Bush a liar back in 2004 on national television, Meet the Press with Tim Russert, which may have had more viewers than Obama's healthcare speech the other day. I can't find any audio or video, but here's a snippet of the text:

*********
Reid called Bush "liar," stood by comment UPDATE

Interview with Senator Harry Reid, NBC’s Meet the Press, December 5, 2004

MR. RUSSERT: When the president talked about Yucca Mountain and moving the nation's nuclear waste there, you were very, very, very strong in your words. You said, "President Bush is a liar. He betrayed Nevada and he betrayed the country."

Is that rhetoric appropriate?

SEN. REID: I don't know if that rhetoric is appropriate. That's how I feel, and that's how I felt.
***************

And never an apology.

So what's up with this BS about wanting Wilson to apologize to the entire house chambers AFTER he already apologized directly to Obama?

Double-standard? Hypocrisy? You bet. This is nothing more than a side-show distraction from the Government Option debate and other garbage in Obamacare

Do they even read what you write?

I had an idea that I thought could seriously help reduce our dependence on foreign (and domestic) oil and do a few other good things as well. As such I decided to send an email to the following to see if anyone would pick it up and run with it (I'm in Florida): GOP Chairman Michael Steele, Florida Rep Ginnie Brown-Waite, Florida Senator Bill Nelson, Sen John McCain, Sen Lindsay Graham, Sen Joe Lieberman, T. Boone Pickens Group, Bill O'Reilly (he hates big oil), and a few other people.

Here's the text of my proposal:

Dear Chairman Steele:

I am submitting my proposal for your perusal and followup. I believe this would be a great energy and economic position for the GOP platform.

I ahve already sent my "Cash-for-Conversions" proposal on to Congresswoman Brown-Waite and Senator Nelson in Florida. I am a member of T. Boone Pickens group and have sent my proposal to the Pickens group as well. I have also sent it to Bill O'Rielly. Here's my proposal:

1. Get some key members of Congress to support a bill called "Cash-for-Conversions" whereby auto repair shops, dealers, exisiting and new conversion shops, etc. would be reimbursed by the government to convert all automobiles and trucks in the USA to CNG (Natural Gas). This could be expanded to "any" business or entity using oil, if not through direct reimbursement, perhaps through tax credits, etc. Similar tax credits or reimbursements could be given to gas stations to convert to CNG. Obviously, unlike the temporary Cash-for-Clunkers program and Cash-for Refrigerators program, this would be a much longer-term program of several years.

2. Mandate that all new vehicles in the USA utilize CNG. What the heck, we own General Motors so this should be a no-brainer. Pass laws that force all other US manufacturers and foreign manufactures exporting into the USA to do the same.

3. Not only will this program practically eliminate our need for foreign oil, it would eliminate our need for most domestic oil. I'm sure just announcing this proposal in Congress would drive the price of oil down by 75% or more in a week or less. This would be an instant and significant help to our "70-75% consumer-based economy" which in turn would significantly help expedite an economic recovery. Obama's stimulus/spending plan isn't doing much now and most likely won't do much in the future.

4. I believe this proposal could possibly create jobs. If done quickly and efficiently the US could actually become a net exporter of automobiles and trucks.

5. By converting all vehicles to CNG this will dramatically reduce emissions and eliminate the need for any Cap and Trade measures that will undoubtedly, by all analysis, cost everyone more money.

6. There's approximately $700 billion of un-spent stimulus money remaining from the bill that was passed. Let's use it for the Cash-for-Conversions program I'm proposing. We need recovery now, not 3, 5, or 10 years from now.

I'm sure there are many other benefits that could come from implementing a Cash-for-Conversions program and I'd be happy to hear from you regarding what you think of my proposal. Better yet, I'd like to see you push my proposal to become part of the GOP platform!

Sincerely,

Frank S. Fischer

I sent the above out last month (August 09). To date I've received one response so far. Now, keep in mind, the crux of my proposal is TO REDUCE OUR RELIANCE ON FOREIGN OIL! Here's the response from Democrat Florida Senator Nelson:

RE: Your response from Senator Bill Nelson
Monday, September 14, 2009 5:41 PM
From:
"Bill@billnelson.senate.gov"

Dear Mr. Fischer:

Thank you for contacting me regarding global warming. Cap-and-trade legislation is one proposal that would address this issue.I believe that we have the technology and ability to meet the challenge of climate change in a way that will provide new economic opportunities and make us more competitive internationally while protecting consumers from high energy prices and breaking our dependence on oil.

In 1990, Congress passed a bill saying companies could not pump sulfur and other pollutants into the air because they caused acid rain. Now, Congress is looking at bills that would say companies cannot pump carbon into the air without having to pay because it causes the planet to heat up. Some critics claim this is all going to increase utility bills, but various studies show the legislation will have little effect on most folks. In fact, one reliable analysis shows an average savings for consumers of around $6 per month.

Global warming threatens Florida's fragile ecosystem and $60 billion tourism industry. Rising sea levels will encroach on Florida's pristine beaches and harm coastal wetlands and the Everglades. Increased carbon dioxide and water temperatures will damage sensitive coral reefs and endanger Florida's diverse marine species. A scientific study by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change concluded with 90 percent certainty that global warming is caused by the accumulation of man-made greenhouse gasses.

On June 26, the House of Representatives passed H.R. 2454, the American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009. The Senate is expected to consider legislation to address energy independence and climate change in the fall.

I will continue to work in the Senate to fight the effects of global warming. I appreciate your taking the time to share your thoughts with me, and I respect your views. Please feel free to contact me regarding any additional issues of concern.

Sincerely,

Senator Bill Nelson

WHAAAAAAAAAT???? After I finished projectile-vomitting all over my computer and caught my breath, I just couldn't believe what I was reading. Do we actually pay these people a salary? Sure, it was probably one of Nelson's staffers that responded, but hey, are we paying their salary? This is unbelieveable, unprofessional, incompetent and whatever other adjective you can think of to describe it.

Actually, while I was posting this I just received another response from Georgia Senator Lindsay Graham's office. In a nutshell they told me to get lost. US Senator Graham was not responding to anyone other than South Carolinans!! WHAAAAAAAAAAAAT? Are you not a US Senator and am I not a US citizen? Who gives a crap where I live?

I'm getting to the point where I think we need to replace EVERYONE IN WASHINGTON and get some fresh blood that actually give a damn about "We the People."

Latest update:

Here's a response just received today from Florida Congresswoman Ginnie Brown-Waite(R). At least she read my proposal and has some good proposals of her own.

Dear Frank.:

Thank you for contacting me with your thoughts regarding your "Cash for Conversion" program. I have discussed your concerns with my staff and am grateful for your input. I appreciate such insight and true concern on this critical issue. Hearing your views is imperative so that I can best serve as your voice in Washington.

I am as frustrated as you are about the rapid increase in gas prices the country is experiencing. As I travel throughout the eight counties that encompass the 5th District, I know how painful it is to fill up a gas tank even once a week.

I have energy proposals that take into consideration this country's short-term energy needs as well as its long-term goals. I have a plan that utilizes our country's abundant natural resources so that we do not have to beg OPEC nations to increase their production when times get tough. Additionally, my energy plans will lead this country towards an independent energy future.

In the short-term, America needs to tackle the devastatingly high cost of gasoline. This is not only hurting our wallets, it is crippling our economy. To do this I have taken three major steps. The first is to support the drilling for oil and natural gas in the United States, which is why I cosponsored a number of bills that open previously restricted areas to responsible drilling.

In the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR) the United States Geological Survey (USGS) estimates that there is over 10.4 billion barrels of recoverable oil. In the Gulf of Mexico, the USGS estimates that there are over 3.6 billion barrels of oil and over 21 trillion cubic feet of natural gas that are currently of limits. In total, the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) is estimated to contain more than 88 billion barrels of oil and approximately 420 trillion cubic feet of natural gas. While opening these areas to energy exploration would surely make a dramatic impact, they do not include the estimated 8 trillion barrels of oil shale locked up in the Green River Formation, which encompasses parts of Utah, Colorado, and Wyoming. To put these numbers in perspective Saudi Arabia's proven oil reserves are at 259 billion barrels.

The second short-term solution focuses on building new refineries and increasing the capacity of current refineries. Because of bureaucratic red tape, no new refineries have been built in the United States in over 30 years. This fact alone has led to a situation in which demand exceeds supply. Consequently, I support expediting construction of new refinery capacity on closed military installations in the United States, as well as of new refineries through tax incentives and by setting aside at least 10 sites for oil or natural gas refineries on federal lands.

My third short-term solution is to eliminate the tariff on ethanol imports into this country. Americans should be filling our gas tanks with the most efficient and least costly ethanol, which Brazil has been producing from sugar cane for over three decades. In fact, for every unit of petroleum used to make ethanol from Brazilian sugarcane ten units of ethanol are produced. Compare this to the energy ratio of corn ethanol, which is one unit of petroleum per 1.8 units of ethanol. It becomes clear that ethanol made only from corn is simply holding this country back.

Throughout my tenure in public service, I have always kept an open door and an open dialogue with my constituents. As Congress addresses the many challenges facing our nation, I hope you will continue to share your thoughts and views with me. Accordingly, I encourage you to visit my Web site at http://brown-waite.house.gov to email me and find useful information about our 5th Congressional District.

It is my honor and privilege to serve the people of Florida's 5th Congressional District and my offices and staff are here to provide you with any assistance you may need.

Sincerely,

Ginny Brown-Waite
Member of Congress

Did you ever notice?

I’ve been sitting with an inquiry for a while now. Its a noticing, that all things in this world are in motion and changing. Large or small, quickly or slowly. I can’t find even one exception to this. It seems that the present moment is indeed impermanent, always fluid.

When I'm feeling anything, happy, sad, angry, frustrated, whatever, somewhere in the back of my mind, I know that feeling will shift, will change into something else. This seems to take the sting out of painful feelings. But it doesn't seem to take the joy out of the pleasurable feelings. I guess I know that even though the pleasure will also end, there's more around the corner. Faith of sorts i guess.

And underneath all this, as I am experiencing this present moment, there is a sense of stillness, calm.

Compassion arises as I perceive the world in this way and kindness comes easily, and anger's grip is less tenacious.

Feels magical sometimes.

This blog is represents the thinking of a few individuals interested in having their ideas heard.