Issue #102

by Art Kelly

1. Medicare turns 45 on Friday, July 30, 2010, and Social Security turns 75 on Saturday, August 14, 2010. Both programs are in serious jeopardy.

The last issue of this newsletter reported that 77% of the American people believe that Social Security is either in a crisis or faces major problems.

A previous issue found that the IOUs in the Social Security Trust Fund (old age and survivors & disability) amounted to more $2.605 Trillion. This money has been “borrowed” from the Trust Fund and used for the general operations of government.

No one has any idea how this amount can be paid back so that seniors can continue to receive full Social Security benefits when the payroll tax no longer produces enough revenue. If the economy does not rebound in the near future, the doomsday date for Social Security could come soon.

The Obamacare Bill that was enacted earlier this year cuts $529 Billion from Medicare over the next 10 years in order to finance the other parts of the new law. The legislation mandates rationing of care for everyone, especially seniors.

And to administer Obamacare, a recent issue of this newsletter reported on the President’s appointment of Dr. Donald Berwick, a very strong advocate of rationing of medical care, to be the new Administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.

Both Medicare and Socil Security face enormous problems that make their futures worrisome.

2. The American people continue to strongly favor repeal of Obamacare.

The latest Rasmussen survey reports that 58% of voters want the new law repealed, while only 37% want to keep it and 5% are undecided.

Here are trends over the last two months:

Dates of Survey, Favor Repeal
July 24-25, 58%
July 16-17, 56%
July 10-11, 53%
July 1, 60%
June 25-26, 52%
June 19-20, 55%
June 11-12, 58%
June 5-6, 58%
May 29-29, 60%

This support for repeal is especially impressive in light of the Obamacare progpaganda the Administration mailed, at taxpayers expense, to all seniors, as well as other extensive public relations ploys in support of it.

3. A new chart has been produced to show all of the 159 new government agencies, regulations, and mandates created by the 2,801 page Obamacare law.

(The chart is set on 35% so that it can be viewed as a whole on a computer screen. To see it in detail, including the references to each section of the law, readers should increase the PDF setting to 100%.)

The detailed chart was developed by the Republican senators and representatives on the Joint Economic Committee, under the leadership of Senator Sam Brownback of Kansas and Congressman Kevin Brady of Texas.

Brady said the chart shows exactly how Obamacare created “a monstrosity of new bureacucracies, mandates, taxes, and rationing that will drive up health care costs and hurt seniors.”

Brownback added, “This updated chart illustrates the overwhelming expansion of government control over health care choices and the bewildering complexity facing everyone affected by this law.”

What’s Happening with Conservatives and the GOP:

• Respected election expert Michael Barone says Democrats “will take a thumping”
• Gallup Poll shows Democrats ahead, but 6 other national polls point to GOP victory
• 15 state polls show Republican ahead in 8 races

What’s Happening with Christian Values:

• Newt Gingrich writes a compelling article against proposed mosque on Ground Zero
• Powerful video by Center for Security Policy says Islamists want symbol of 9-11 victory
• St. Louis Archbishop says someone cannot be pro-abortion and a good Catholic