[Just_Another_Lemming]

Not to get picky but that last sentence in the Berwick quote either was taken out of context or was never stated by Berwick. This is Berwick's entire (I guess you can call it) essay

http://www.pnhp.org/news/2010/may/a-...-the-nhs-at-60

Of course, it doesn't change the fact that he is for socialized medicine. Then again, it isn't any different from what FDR, Nixon, and Ford (I am sure I am missing other past presidents) were trying to do. They wanted to pass a national healthcare law. But, I am not going to go off on tangents. The OP was about the 2011 Budget that was passed. I found the information I was looking for. Thanks.

[speechlesstx]

[QUOTE=Just_Another_Lemming;2425202]

Not to get picky but that last sentence in the Berwick quote either was taken out of context or was never stated by Berwick. This is Berwick's entire (I guess you can call it) essay

I don't mind you keeping on my toes. It may not have been in the transcript, but it's captured on video:

Of course, it doesn't change the fact that he is for socialized medicine. Then again, it isn't any different from what FDR, Nixon, and Ford (I am sure I am missing other past presidents) were trying to do. They wanted to pass a national healthcare law. But, I am not going to go off on tangents. The OP was about the 2011 Budget that was passed. I found the information I was looking for. Thanks.

Yep, the OP was on the budget, and Berwick will now be in charge of a budget that's larger than all but 15 of the world's economies according to Ramesh Ponnuru... in an appointment with no scrutiny or accountability just like the 2011 budget.

[excon]

Hello again, Steve:

Let's say you lived in a right wing world where fire protection ISN'T socialized... Like any free market solution, you can BUY your fire protection from the private fire department down the street. Now, if you're a middle class individual, you'd be able to PAY for your fire protection... But, the poor people on the other side of the tracks can't, so they burn and die regularly.

Here, in THIS great country of ours, we don't DO that. We SOCIALIZE our fire protection, so that the unfortunate amongst us DON'T burn and die needlessly. We've found that to be a good thing. We're doing the same thing with our health care.

Now, you MIGHT call your fire department an example of "redistribution of wealth", because that's exactly what it is. I'll bet you LIKE that kind of socialism. But, not this. I don't know why.

excon

[speechlesstx]

I do live in a world where fire protection isn't socialized. People have been BUYING fire protection from me for almost 17 years.

[NeedKarma]

People have been BUYING fire protection from me for almost 17 years.

You send fire engines, ladder trucks, and the like to people's houses on call? What company is this?

[speechlesstx]

You send fire engines, ladder trucks, and the like to people's houses on call? What company is this?

No, the monitoring company does that.

[NeedKarma]

No, the monitoring company does that.

So the monitoring company owns all that fire fighting equipment I mentioned?

[Just_Another_Lemming]

Hi speechlesstx. I didn't say I wasn't concerned. I am concerned about everything. I just limit my blogging on these subjects.

Curious thought, where do you get the no accountability aspect in this? Of course he will be held accountable. We haven't had anyone heading up that department since 2006. We need someone. Is Berwick the right guy? IDK but the President thinks so. If Berwick messes up, he will go down in flames. So will the President.

[excon]

I do live in a world where fire protection isn't socialized. People have been BUYING fire protection from me for almost 17 years.

Hello again, Steve:

Of course, YOUR fire department ISN'T socialized. It can't be. My bad. Clearly, the red paint on the fire trucks was manufactured by private industry... How could I have MISSED that?

Do you deflect the argument because you just can't bear to admit that you LIKE socialism?? I think so.

excon

[speechlesstx]

So the monitoring company owns all that fire fighting equipment I mentioned?

You didn't ask who owns it. We sell this, and this, and this just for starters. Fire protection is a huge industry, it's not just fire departments. I'd wager that more fires are extinguished without the FD's help than with it in this country. Just like it used to be with health care, people have a choice in fire protection... and a safety net.

[NeedKarma]

...it's not just fire departments. ...

But you knew that's what ex was referring to, you chose to totally sidestep it.

[tomder55]

And how is a fire dept funded by the cooperation of local governments and their taxing authority pertinent to the role of the national government in this discussion ?

[speechlesstx]

Of course, YOUR fire department ISN'T socialized. It can't be. My bad. Clearly, the red paint on the fire trucks was manufactured by private industry... How could I have MISSED that?

So was the truck. I could sell you one if wanted, or all the stuff that goes on them like nozzles, monitors and hose.

Do you deflect the argument because you just can't bear to admit that you LIKE socialism?? I think so.

I was discussing a recess appointment, not fire departments.

[tomder55]

By the way ; the fire dept in my community is part of the budget ;and is itemized down to the stainless steel refrigerator in their kitchen . Nothing in the budget is hidden ;and nothing is passed without a roll call vote by the town board.

[speechlesstx]

Curious thought, where do you get the no accountability aspect in this? Of course he will be held accountable. We haven't had anyone heading up that department since 2006. We need someone. Is Berwick the right guy? IDK but the President thinks so. If Berwick messes up, he will go down in flames. So will the President.

No accountability by bypassing the advise and consent clause of the constitution. Obama made no pretense of even trying to get the guy confirmed, As noted in the last link I quoted:

In this context, it’s worth pointing out that Democrats never called a hearing on Dr. Berwick’s nomination. Republicans have no ability to “stall the nomination” in committee – and nothing prevented the majority from calling a hearing, or voting to report the nomination out of committee. They chose to do neither.

Obama blamed it on Republican stalling tactics and that's a red herring. He never wanted him to face questioning.

[speechlesstx]

But you knew that's what ex was referring to, you chose to totally sidestep it.

As did ex choose to sidestep the issue I raised.

[NeedKarma]

As did ex choose to sidestep the issue I raised.

I guess you can always start talking about football whenever you like in these threads. :)

[speechlesstx]

No football, no soccer. Back to the OP, the media is still AWOL on the Deem 'n Pass, "don't ask, don't tell" budget.

[Just_Another_Lemming]

Speechless you sure are getting a lot of stuff being thrown your way.

Re: your last response to me. What Obama did was not unconstitutional so from my perspective, accountability at this juncture doesn't play into it. Further down in your link: "As a recess appointee, Dr. Berwick will have all the powers of a permanent appointee. But under the Constitution, his appointment will expire at the end of the next session of Congress, in late 2011."

So, sink or swim I say.

[speechlesstx]

Speechless you sure are getting a lot of stuff being thrown your way.

Bring it on. ;)

Yeah, he can do it, that doesn't negate the fact that Obama and other Democrats in the most transparent regime evah, ran an end run around the American people - and flat lied about it.

Advice and consent was so crucial to the Dems that they held "pro forma" sessions just so Bush couldn't make any recess appointments. They're reasoning? Nominees should have an "up or down" vote. Again, my how times have changed.