American healthcare: an example of free market success

- - - - -NOT! - - - - - - - -

http://news.yahoo.com/s/hsn/20081028/hl_hsn/medicaldebtsendingmanyoverfinancialbrink

The Smiths, who raised six children together, consistently had employer-sponsored health insurance. Like the Krinskys, however, they began to notice a drift upwards in the cost of premiums as well as higher co-pays and higher deductibles in the 1990s.

"While we were both well, we could absorb that creep," said Donna, formerly a newspaper editor and now a community organizer for the California Nurses Association and the National Nurses Organizing Committee in Chicago.

But then the medical crises set in: Larry was diagnosed with serious artery disease, Donna with uterine cancer.

"Our debt was accelerating, but it wasn't just accelerating in medical debt," Donna said. "What you do is you hang on, you borrow from another place and pay the doctor. It's a balancing act all the time." The Smiths took payday loans, Donna pawned her engagement ring, and they even crawled to relatives.

"I can't tell you how humiliating it is," Donna said. "By the time you've gone through that kind of trauma, you've tapped out the good will of family and friends. You call them, and their tone of voice changes. You've damaged personal relationships. People are less excited about seeing you."

By 2004, their health insurance policy had a maximum out-of-pocket exposure of $9,000, and they were sued by a dermatologist for an unpaid bill. The amount? A mere $600.

Donna's wages were garnished, and the couple were forced to declared bankruptcy and sold their house for pennies on the dollar, all while they were technically fully insured.

The couple first moved in with a daughter living in Colorado and are now renting in Chicago.

"I don't know if we have enough working years left to buy a house," Donna said. "That's pretty heavy punishment for having gotten sick."

spreading the wealth a bad thing?

Atrios points out:

It takes a long time to build up words and phrases which have commonly understood meanings and appropriate negative connotations. You can't just make them up 2 weeks before an election. Most voters are going to hear "wealth spreader" and think... sounds good to me! Spread some all over me, please.It takes a long time to build up words and phrases which have commonly understood meanings and appropriate negative connotations. You can't just make them up 2 weeks before an election. Most voters are going to hear "wealth spreader" and think... sounds good to me! Spread some all over me, please.

I think the words deserve a little bit more context, ad the American people deserve a little bit more credit. Phrases such as "spreading the wealth" mean more than the sum of their words because of the right wing's fetish with opposing all things socialist. When the threat of "socialism" was external (during the cold war), this fetish could be turned into a litmus test for patriotism. With the fall of the soviet union, socialism is just another idea. Some of us think its bad, some of us think its tyranny, some of us think its short term pandering and counter revolutionary, and some of us cling to the fetish that an idea can be un-american. But I think a lot of us see that other countries have had some success with raising their citizens' standard of living by mixing some "socialist" policies into their largely market economies. I think that most Americans reject the notion that an idea must be bad just because some right wing hack calls it "socialism."

At this point, the best argument against "socialism" is that its been tried and failed. But that's an old argument. Supply side economics has also failed to ensure that all Americans benefit from our nations vast wealth. What has tax breaks and privitization done for the overworked person with two jobs who still has to declare bankruptcy over medical bills? I think most people see that its not that way in Canada or England, and whatever those systems' faults are, affordibility isn't one of them. And if making our system a little bit more like theirs is "socialism" in the mind's eye of a right wing talk show host, so be it.

Think of it like this. If you are a blue based rock musician, you still should know your classical modes - injecting a classical line into a rock song doesn't make your song a "classical" song. It doesn't even make it classically inspired. But sometimes, it's just what your song needs. So why rule it out?

http://www.eschatonblog.com/2008_10_26_archive.html#2593164586740531465

baseball fans: is there any precedent for last night?

I'm not a baseball fan, but I did see much of last night's game in three bars (and experienced the cold miserable rain on the walks in between). What I understand is that (1) in the inning they were in, they could have called the game official prior to TB scoring a tying run, but (2) ending the game like that would be a controversial and unceremonious way to end the world series. If they would have called the game at the tie - instead of delaying it - they risked controversy because it would deprive Philadelphia of its opportunity to win the world series at home. But now it seems like the world series will be decided in a mini-game in which the Phillies get first and last bats.

I think the more fair route would have been to announce the inning they were would be the last of the game, and if the Phillies scored, they'd win the world series. If not, back to Florida.

Nick and Nora stunk

Just a word of warning - Nick and Nora's play list was lame. Although its a teen movie aimed at an audience with low expectations, I was kind of excited because it professed to be a movie about good music. The music was good - but unlike other soundtrack centric movies - Nick and Nora felt like an advertisement. The songs felt more like product placement.

The characters were all stereo types, and in some cases offensive ones: when the male lead's gay friends doll up the female lead, not only do we have a reinforcement of gay stereotypes, but a very offensive message about a woman's value being tied to her appearance (they don't doll up the dude, they fix his car).

one theme in the movie is the lead characters severing their ties to the elements of their lives that hold them down. they both have abusive exes they have to get around or over, but the interesting part is the friends. Nora has to cut the chord with her childhood best friend, being that she's become a burden, and her other friend is too manipulative to be trusted. Nick's band mates, on the other hand, are supportive and the heroes of the movie. Male companionship is good, female companionship is bad.

There is a finger fuck scene with extremely vivid audio, but i thought it gratuitous.

not the worst movie i've ever seen, but not worth seeing in the theater.

The best part of the movie: the white rapper with the asian break dancer. totally dublo.

Palin: abortion clinic bombing not terrorism

I guess Palin defines terrorism as politically motivated violence against civilian targets - to the extent that she disagrees with the politics behind it.

exciting: working for obama on election night as a lawyer

I attended the first meeting last night, so its official: i'm on the obama voter defense team.

it's very exciting. i worked the nader campaign back when gore was running. being a partisan in a presidential election is an unforgettable experience. once in a while i'll bump into somebody from the nader campaign. anyone who worked it had a blast and has a lot of fond memories of the race.

obama is a whole different story. theres a good chance he's going to win. and while i don't agree with everything he stands for, i think he is going to make a great president.
(you can read some of my posts at westival. blogspot. com to see why). if he lives up to his enormous potential, and given the implicit historical nature of our first black president, i think this guy is going to end up on coins or stamps, and have things named after him. Working for Obama is going to be like working for JFK - I'll be on the right side of history.

I was going to just do the whole get out the vote thing - but this is so much better. Taking on Republican shenanigans, arguing before the Court on short notice, and for something truly noble: securing citizens' right to vote.
What an opportunity!

I guess I fucked up big time . . . .

Reckless high stakes gambles

Something I've been arguing is that we can make a prediction on what a McCain presidency would look like by looking at the way he's run his campaign. What I've sen in this campaign is a series of reckless high stakes gambles with big potential rewards - but all of which ultimately flopped. Sarah Palin, suspending the campaign, etc.

Tom Tomorow points out something I hadn't thought of: McCain decision to make a celebrity out of "Joe" the "Plumber" is another example of McCain failing to vet somebody putting them into a prominent position. Turns out, Joe's name isn't Joe, he isn't a plumber, he lied about planning on purchasing a 250k earning business (he barely makes 40,000), he would get a tax cut under obama, and - to top it off - he's an attention addicted nut job.

Michelle Malkin has cried fowl - why pry into this private citizen's life? What a hypocrite! Malkin stalked a little kid to try to prove they weren't sick when their story was cited as a reason for passing SCHIP. Nevertheless, "Joe" the "Plumber" has traveled to NY to be on Fox and made an appearance on Hannity's radio show - and thats just what I've observed. Conservatives have no problem giving him the limelight when he is an everyman who back republicans. But when the truth is revealed that he is a kook - the media has gone too far!

Regardless, Joe proves one thing - McCain doesn't do his homework on people. He didn't do it with Palin. He didn't do it with Joe. What do you think he's going to do with his cabinet? I'll say it again: we can make a prediction on what a McCain presidency would look like by looking at the way he's run his campaign.

http://thismodernworld.com/4515
http://andrewsullivan.theatlantic.com/the_daily_dish/2008/10/malkin-then-and.html

McCain, in the words of Colin Powell

sayreville sucks

or - better stated - central jersey is a horrible place to see a punk band. i hate the e-center ("the money funnel"), so i ditched it in favor of englishtown twice. what a mistake. the food choices are better, and the bleachers are a great place to chill - but the central jersey crowd is a bunch of emo bitches. no fun to see a band with.

so last night i saw nofx. the troc sold out before i got tickets, so i bought tickets for the starland ballroom in sayreville. what a lame punk scene. chuckleheads and bimbos galore. it was an assortment of people dudes that acted like douchebags in gym class and chicks that acted like skanks after school - except i grew up and they didn't. attitudes and bullying all night.

i want to see a band in new york. i think it might be like an amped up version of the philly scene. jersey - thats no scene - thats a bunch of losers.

California: vote yes on Prop 2

It isn't free speech when you have to change your shirt to vote

"The [Virginia] State Board of Elections yesterday voted 2-1 to ban clothing, hats, buttons or other paraphernalia that expressly advocates the election or defeat of a candidate or issue inside polling places.

The board said its action strikes a balance between the First Amendment right to free speech and the right of people to cast secret ballots in a safe, orderly way free of undue influence or harassment."

So, lets get this straight: I have a First Amendment right to walk around election day with an Obama shirt on, and I have the right to vote - but if I want to do both I have to get changed? And how exactly are expression rights balanced here? It sounds to me like they just got outweighed . . . . . Sue the bastards.

http://www.firstamendmentcenter.org/news.aspx?id=20706

Expression as ugly

I get tired of municipalities, home owners associations, and land lords poo pooing signs because they detract from the appearance of the neighborhood. You know what's ugly: middle class conformity. You what's uglier? Tyranny of the majority.

If it were up to me, everyone's house would be their bill board for their feelings and ideas on issues large and small.

http://www.firstamendmentcenter.org/news.aspx?id=20707

Drug war: proven waste of time and money

"A federally funded anti-drug media campaign during the first half of the decade did little to curb teen marijuana use, and may have increased it, researchers here found . . .

During the study period, the National Youth Anti-Drug Media Campaign -- supervised by the White House's Office of National Drug Control Policy -- spent nearly $1 billion on advertising, with the stated goal of preventing kids from trying drugs and getting occasional drug users to stop.

In a surprising finding, the researchers said, exposure to anti-drug advertising during the third round of interviews was associated with the initiation of marijuana use in round four"

http://www.medpagetoday.com/InfectiousDisease/PublicHealth/11368

Up yours, New Jersey

breaking news: poll finds New Jersey residents unhappy with their government. No shit sherlock. I can't afford to but a home in Camden County because the taxes are so high - even in areas where the property values are modest (eg Pinehill) - and all I ever see towns like that doing is using their police to collect traffic fines.

they were going to shut down the state parks because of a budget crisis last may, but now they're giving corporations a tax cut.

http://www.courierpostonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20081015/NEWS01/810150355

support our nurses

http://www.courierpostonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20081016/NEWS01/810160383

Oh really, Buchanan? Here's a dirty little secret . . .

Pat Buchanan: "America may desperately desire to close the book on the Bush presidency. Yet there is, as of now, no hard evidence it has embraced Obama

, his ideology, or agenda"

Really? Every poll I've ever read indicates that the American public overwhelmingly supports key progressive policies like raising the minimum wage, providing health care for all, making corporations and the wealthy pay their fair share of taxes, promoting renewable energy alternatives, and expanding voting rights. Its the dirty little secret neither the dominant political parties or the news like to talk about.

I mean, you ever notice that in the build up to the war with Iraq, no news organization ever reported a poll that said point blank: should we invade iraq? of course those polls would have shown America was against it. So the news focused on a bunch of inane if/then questions to explore under what circumstances America would favor an invasion. The decision had been made, and the establishment was searching for a rationale.

Even today - polls focus on the horse race, but not the issues. I liked when Obama was asked whether healthcare should be viewed as commodity to turn a profit on. As much as I liked his answer about pre-existing conditions, he didn't address the question - and neither candidate ever will. To do so would force them to acknowledge that they are at war with the American people on the idea that access to healthcare is ought to be universal.

I wish it were true . . . .

"McCain suggests Obama's tax policies are socialist"

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20081018/ap_on_el_pr/mccain

Nobel prize winning economist: McCain not the right man

"Will the next administration do what’s needed to deal with the economic slump? Not if Mr. McCain pulls off an upset."

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/17/opinion/17krugman.html?_r=1&hp&oref=slogin

California: vote no on Proposition 8

"It's a rare and drastic step, invoking the constitutional-amendment process to strip people of rights. Yet in California, it can be done with a simple majority vote."

propositions against gay marriage are nothing more than ruses to drive bigots to the polls to vote republican. a backfire would be nice.

http://www.latimes.com/news/opinion/la-ed-marriage8-2008aug08,0,1229155.story

Cuba made a word class health care system out of dirt

Now they have oil. Venezuela built their "socialist" state on oil, but Cuba resisted America and became the best 3rd rank power to live in with next to nothing and in spite of a crippling trade embargo.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2008/oct/18/cuban-oil

insulting teachers

McCain proposed that veterans ought to bypass testing and licensing requirements to become a teacher. Why stop there? Why not let vets bypass the boards to become surgeons? Why not let vets bypass the bar exam to become lawyers?

Perhaps John McCain sees teachers as a lower class of professional. After all, they're only responsible for the education of the future generation . . .

fuck pundits

as my mom's friend carol said: why do i need somebody to tell me what i just saw with my own eyes.

A transcript of the assholiness

OBAMA: We can find some common ground, because nobody's pro-abortion. I think it's always a tragic situation. We should try to reduce these circumstances.

SCHIEFFER: Let's give Sen. McCain a short response...

McCAIN: Just again...

SCHIEFFER: ... and then...

McCAIN: Just again, the example of the eloquence of Sen. Obama. He's "health for the mother." You know, that's been stretched by the pro-abortion movement in America to mean almost anything. That's the extreme pro-abortion position, quote, "health."

McCain: No respect for women's health

Even the most ardent pro lifers I know think abortion ought to be an option when carrying to term poses a threat to the health of the woman. Not John McCain . . . He thinks its a back door so women can get abortions for any reason they want. For fun perhaps! What an asshole.

Thank you Flyers fans

She got booed

http://www.philly.com/philly/hp/news_update/20081012_Palin_hears_plenty_of_boos.html

I was wrong and I should have known better

Before the weekend, I argued that the Connecticut gay marriage decision was a good one in principal, its timing was bad because of its proximity to the national elections. However, the same thing happened two years ago when New Jersey's decision came out, and the only people who cared were the chatterers on cable tv. Today's economic crisis is too big to be overshadow by this type of issue. So congratulations Connecticut - you have joined the modern world.

State GOP's sales tax holiday a good idea

Whatever impact it has on revenue, sales taxes are regressive. They tax a greater portion of a poor person's income than a rich person's. The holidays are a great time for it too. Unless targeted at and specifically utilized to remedy economic bads (eg taxing cigarettes to pay for programs to help people quit), any reduction or suspension of a sales tax is a good thing.

http://www.courierpostonline.com/article/20081014/NEWS01/81014005

why today?

New Jersey released it's gay marriage decision right before the big Congressional races two years ago, and now Connecticut does the same. As a proponent of equal rights for everyone i'm happy. but the timing - the decision has been under review for more than a year, and now with less than a month until the presidential election the Connecticut Supreme Court issues a decision to galvanize McCain's base. Why?

http://www.connpost.com/localnews/ci_10687555

bitter bill clinton

New Mexico governor Bill Richardson, a longtime Clinton supporter, was on NPR this morning talking about the fallout of his decision to endorse Obama during the primaries. Richardson says that he has re-established a relationship with Hillary, but that he and Bill are still not on speaking terms over it.

Talk about petty . . . . . . . .

Is there any way we can make sure she gets booed?

McCain supporter Ed Snyder has injected politics into hockey by having Sarah Palin drop the puck at a game. It'd be nice if the stadium booed her.

http://www.courierpostonline.com/article/20081009/SPORTS/81008049

ever heard of sallie mae?

Want some proof that McCain is out of touch?

John McCain, at last nights debate (paraphrased): you may of never heard of sallie may or freddie mac until this recent crisis.

more on the debate: social security

I didn't like Obama's failure to correct the characterization of social security as an imminent failure. That's only true if Social Security is an insurance plan and not a general entitlement program. Social Security taxes are paid directly into the general fund, and payments are drawn from the same. Keeping Social Security "solvent" is no more difficult than funding any other program. If you want to make it truly self sustaining, all you have to do is raise (or eliminate) the income ceiling that allows high earners to pay social security tax on only a portion of their income.

what i liked/ didn't like about the debate

what i liked about the format: nothing

what i didn't like about the format:

1. Tom Brokaw was a tool

2. No follow up questions

3. Using the internet as a gimmick. Why not just let more people there ask questions, or let them get a followup? It's not as if the internet let someone like me ask a question. It was just another hoser like the people in the audience, except without a face.

4. boooooooooriiiiiiiiing

What I like about Obama

1. Obama's response to McCain's proposal of a spending freeze was spot on. As soon as McCain said it, I said to myself, So McCain is saying that after we spend 700 billion on tycoons, we freeze spending for schools and health programs? Obama riffed on the point: spending needs to be cut, but with a scalpel, not an ax, so that the most vulnerable don't bear the brunt of the hard times.

2. Obama's reference to his mother's battle with insurance companies while dying of cancer, and his focus of the predicament of "pre-existing conditions."

3. Obama's comeback after McCain said thank you

4. Obama's comparison of McCain's border crossing healthcare "plan" to the bording crossing credit cards do to engage in predatory lending - and oops - Joe Biden is from Delaware. Does that make Obama a maverick?

5. Obama taking the oppurtunity to tell his story again, describing his working class roots, and dispelling the elitist myth while trumpetting the American dream.

What I didn't like about Obama: His refusal to answer the woman's question about the commodification of health care. I was so glad she asked that, and I was so dissapointed with the fact that Obama avoided answering it (although I liked his answer anyway).

What I liked about John McCain: His mortgage takeover/ renegotiation proposal

What I didn't like about John McCain:

1. McCain calling Obama "Obama" instead of Barrack, Mr. Obama, or Senator Obama

2. His proposal for a spending freeze

3. "That one"

4. If you have this secret plan to catch Bin Laden - other than the focus ob Afghanistan Obama is proposing - perhaps you could let the pentagon in on it so we could get the mother fucker already? Keeping it in reserve for after election is hardly putting America first. But that's ok - I think its a lie anyway.

5. His refusal to shake Obama's hand at the end

using ubuntu for evil

http://blog.washingtonpost.com/securityfix/2007/11/mpaa_university_toolkit_opens_1.html?nav=rss_blog

summary: the motion picture association uses an ubuntu derivative to monitor student downloading activities, with major privacy implications.

your tax dollars enjoy a day at the spa

http://abcnews.go.com/Blotter/story?id=5973452&page=1
more at http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2008/10/7/135934/790/537/622894

After Bailout, AIG Execs Head to California Resort
Rescued by Taxpayers, $440,000 for Retreat Including "Pedicures, Manicures"

By BRIAN ROSS and TOM SHINE

October 7, 2008—

Less than a week after the federal government committed $85 billion to bail out AIG, executives of the giant AIG insurance company headed for a week-long retreat at a luxury resort and spa, the St. Regis Resort in Monarch Beach, California, Congressional investigators revealed today.

"Rooms at this resort can cost over $1,000 a night," Congressman Henry Waxman (D-CA) said this morning as his committee continued its investigation of Wall Street and its CEOs.

AIG documents obtained by Waxman's investigators show the company paid more than $440,000 for the retreat, including nearly $200,000 for rooms, $150,000 for meals and $23,000 in spa charges.

who could've predicted the bailout flop?

how about 90% of America . . . .

sarah palin: bringing out america's worst

From: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/10/06/AR2008100602935.html

Palin then went on to blame Katie Couric's questions for her "less-than-successful interview with kinda mainstream media." At that, Palin supporters turned on reporters in the press area, waving thunder sticks and shouting abuse. Others hurled obscenities at a camera crew. One Palin supporter shouted a racial epithet at an African American sound man for a network and told him, "Sit down, boy."

and the boss?

i've never been a big fan, but when he led the crowd singing 'this your land is your land' - between the song and the crowd's participation, all i can say is wow.

I've never seen a political machine beat its chest and roar the way i did today

holy cow -that was nuts. and Obama didn't even speak. i went knowing that i was voting for obama despite his flaws. i came home feeling like we're going kick the republicans to the curb for what they've done to our country.

you've got big thing going obama . . . . don't squander it.

she was like a bad movie with a stunning opening sequence

The crowd i watched the debate with are all essentially decided on how we're going to vote next month, as am i. the interest in last night's debate stemmed from palin's bad interviews. the train wreck metaphor was frequently cited. We didn't get a train wreck. And thus, she did not kill John McCain's campaign - but she certainly didn't rescue it.

Palin started strong - because we were only scoring her on ability. Once she passed the threshold, something became very clear: she wasn't answering the questions. Sure, terrorism is bad, freedom is good, and the american people deserve straight talk - but she never talked straight with us. All she offered was substance-less platitudes. Did the American people notice? Time will tell, but I think it'd be hard not to.

June: budget crisis to close nj's parks; today: tax cut for businesses discussed

simply - fucking - amazing

http://www.courierpostonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20081002/NEWS01/81002012

A good reason not to drink and drive

http://www.courierpostonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20081002/NEWS01/810020403&referrer=FRONTPAGECAROUSEL

On the road, you know how many crazy accidents I've almost had? Some were my fault, and some were theirs. And that's everyone. And it would be a tragedy had any of those accidents happened. But if I were at all "drunk" by their lame definition - I could be in jail until i was 35 or 40. I've seen it happen at the Court I clerked at.

Florida: a great place to have sex with your teacher

ever notice how the bulk of the tazer horror stories come out of
Florida? check out this line up:

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/local/crime/orl-pg-womenoffenders113007,0,4150845.photogallery

(out of 13) 1-4, 6-8, and 11 are from florida.

Reverse sexism

SANFORD - A former middle school teacher accused of having sex with a 14-year-old student in her car pleaded no contest to a reduced charge today and was sentenced to five years probation.

Jennifer Tarkenton, who has since gotten married and goes by Jennifer Nero, was arrested Nov. 30, shortly after she and the student were discovered in her Ford Focus on a deserted stretch of road near Lake Mary.


The boy told deputies that he and his teacher had just had sex. He was still wearing a condom, according to court records.

Tarkenton also admitted that they had just had sex.

She was charged with two counts of lewd and lascivious battery.

Today, after plea negotiations, she pleaded no contest to one count of felony battery. That means she will not have a record as a sex offender.

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/orl-teacher-sex-jail-100108,0,4080309.story

You ever listened to the lyrics?

I'm tired of wingnuts refraining that a left wing musician is stepping over their bounds by being a left wing musician. It happened when Roger Waters played the e-center. Apparantly he spoke about bush, and wingnuts wrote into the courier post claiming dissapointment that roger waters didn't stick to playing the songs. Check out the comments to this story about Bruce playing a benefit for Obama.

http://www.courierpostonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20081001/NEWS01/81001016

Dude - you ever listen to their lyrics? Pink Floyd wrote whole albums about militarism and greed. the final cut calls out margaret thatcher by name. And they're LESS poltical than Springstein.

If i saw roger waters and he didn't put forth his mildly cocky oppinionated stage persona, I'd feel like i didn't get the benefit of the bargain.

Self Help Name Change For Our Stadiums

The media is reporting that stadiums are going through an identity crisis because the banks with naming rights to them are changing hands so rapidly. But think about what naming rights have done to these very important public places: the Eagles used to play in a stadium named after President Kennedy, and then one dedicated to veterans, and now one named for a bank. That's pathetic.

If we were building suspension bridges today, something makes me think they wouldn't be named after poets and visionaries (walt whitman and ben franklin). We'd be taking the Commerce Bank bridge into Philly.

So I propose that we refuse to call these stadiums by their sponsor's names, and instead give them proper names. If enough people do it, the name will stick - and then we don't have to worry about mergers and take overs.

What happened to fiscal responsibility?

America opposed the bailout in part because it's alot of money we don't have. The Senate's response to the bill's failure in the House: a tax cut to appease Republicans.

What happened to regulating these out of control markets?

America opposed "the bailout" in part because it failed fix the regulatory scheme that enabled the mess. The White House's response: relax accounting standards so that banks can declare a value for investments that currently have no market value.

Swaping labels

Yesterday I said we should start calling the bailout for what it is - a hand out. The bitches and hos in the Senate had a similar idea - realizing taxpayers don't like giving away free money (especially to very greedy rich people), the bailout has become the recovery plan. What a crock of shit.