OPED by one of our own: "Bush fails millions of chronically ill"

[Stitcher]

Bush fails millions of chronically ill

Published: 1/4/2008 12:25 AM
http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=106594

Millions of Americans living with incurable illnesses awoke Christmas morning to find coal in their stockings, left by President Bush and his allies in Congress.

Before leaving town for the holidays, Congress passed the Consolidated Appropriations Act for 2008, which increased funding for the National Institutes of Health by less than half a percent -- far short of the 3.1 percent increase included in a previous version of the bill vetoed by the president.

This is the fifth year in a row that this "caring and compassionate" administration has put federal funding for biomedical research on the back burner, where it has failed to keep pace with inflation.

The repercussions of this short-sighted policy extend far beyond those whose lives and quality of life will be cut short. Every American ultimately will pay the price of the further erosion of our nation's leadership in science and the global economy.

The "temporarily healthy" must join with the chronically ill to demand sufficient federal funding for biomedical research. Opportunities missed today delay cures and better treatments that already take years and even decades to bring to market.

Vice President **** [sort of funny that his first name is censored] Cheney, whose heart is monitored and regulated by an internal cardioverter-defibrillator, owes his life to previous administrations that better understood the value of and were more generous in funding biomedical research.

As one of millions of Americans living with a progressive, incurable disease, I promise you I "will not go quietly into the night." I will not stop fighting for federal funding of the research that promises cures. Our children and grandchildren deserve nothing less.

Sheryl Jedlinski

Palatine, Illinois

[vlhperry]

The editorial written by is the opinion of one person. She addresses Healthcare, which considering our economy, amazingly received an increase. There is more to Federal Government than health care. Federal money must be used for the benefit of the majority of Americans. Other important issues need to be discussed to present a complete picture of our economy.

In Minnesota Foreclosures on homes are at a record high because of Mortgage companies "creative financing" and the Federal Government playing with the interest rates. My children have been forced to leave the state to find affordable housing and jobs.

The collapse of the 35W bridge in Minneapolis is still under investigation. How many other roads and bridges are badly in need of repair?


"Frozen Federal Funding Results in Toll Roads, Fuel Tax Increases
Bartlesville Examiner Enterprise, OK – May 22, 2007
WASHINGTON – The Federal Highway Trust Fund is moving at full speed toward an unavoidable cash crisis; high gas prices have made Congress reluctant to increase the 18.4-cent federal fuel tax, which hasn’t been raised in 14 years. The push for more fuel efficient vehicles and use of public transportation decreases the amount of gas used, which in turn decreases the trust fund.

States, trying to address traffic congestion and repair inadequate roads, are growing concerned with the looming shortages in federal funding. DOT’s are turning to toll roads and consumption-based sales taxes to make up the difference. In 2009, revenues from the Federal Highway Trust Fund are anticipated to begin falling short of planned federal spending.

Currently, nearly 45 percent of all transportation spending come from the trust fund, and many people are unhappy with the funding alternatives. In Florida, over 90 percent of new roads since the early ‘90’s have been toll roads. Indiana, facing a $1.8 billion shortfall, leased the Indiana Turnpike to an Australian-Spanish consortium for $3.85 billion. Voters lashed back by replacing the Republican-run House that negotiated the deal with Democrats. Washington voters passed a 14.5-cent increase gas tax increase over five years. California voters approved the borrowing of $19.9 billion in bonds for transportation projects over the next decade. Georgia used a gas sales tax that rises with fuel prices, raising its construction program funding from $911 million to $2 billion. AASHTO says up to six states have instituted similar variable fuel taxes linked to inflation. Oregon is trying user-based fees instead of increased gas taxes.

Two years ago, legislators tried to fund a $375 billion highway package with a 4-cent-per-gallon increase in the fuel tax. However, after President Bush threatened to veto any road bills with a tax increase, they withdrew and the final spending plan came in at $286 billion. The trust fund had nearly $23 billion at the end of 2000, at the end of 2006, the balance in the fund had dropped to $9 billion.

This is a shortened version of the AP story that appeared in many of your papers. The version I read was very well done and was accurate about what going on and how states were dealing with the problem. Lots of effort is going into finding a solution, but there are no easy answers. I predict the next Congress and the new President will raise taxes whether or not any of them will admit it. I also expect that they will only raise enough revenues to keep the fund neutral; no “windfall” will result in increased funding. TW
Reversible Lanes Irks Locals
Los Angeles Daily News, CA – May 22, 2007
LOS ANGELES - Some Los Angeles residents are fighting the city’s almost completed plans to build a reversible lane on Sepulveda Boulevard to help fight rush-hour congestion on the San Diego Freeway. Locals fear the thoroughfare will become a mini-freeway from the $11.3 million project to widen six miles of boulevard between Wilshire Boulevard and Mulholland Drive.

Plans for the project call for dedicating the middle of the three lanes in the tunnel to southbound traffic for the morning commute and to northbound for the evening. Engineers say the reversible lanes may provide a quick fix for traffic congestion on the San Diego Freeway, which is used by motorists traveling between the San Fernando Valley and the rest of L.A. every day. Residents are concerned about the effect the project may have on nearby neighborhoods.

Public meetings will be held this week to discuss concerns about the Sepulveda Boulevard project, and the $950 million plan to add a carpool lane northbound on the I-405 Freeway between the I-10 and U.S.101 freeways. After getting $730 million in bond money this year, Caltrans held two public meetings in March to hear residents input on four proposals to expand the 405 freeway to accommodate a carpool lane.

New EPA Rules Cuts Some Hybrids from HOV Lane
AHN - May 18, 2007
WASHINGTON – The Environmental Protection Agency has proposed tightening the regulations for certified clean and energy efficient hybrid vehicles which would be allowed in HOV lanes without passengers. Last Thursday, the EPA announced strict new criteria expected to drive sales of “low emission” and “energy efficient” vehicles.

The new proposal will disqualify some hybrid cars which previously have been allowed in the carpool lane with a single driver. The cars must either be a dedicated alternative fuel vehicle, get 50 percent or better city fuel economy, or 25 percent better combined highway/city fuel economy compared with a similar gasoline car.

The Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act required the proposal by the EPA, which is designed to encourage drivers to purchase cars that are better for the environment. Four car manufacturers have qualifying cars under the stricter standards available: Toyota, Honda, Ford, and Mazda.

Pa. Turnpike Lease May be Worth More
Forbes NY – May 22, 2007
Pennsylvania - The Pennsylvania Turnpike could possibly be leased for much more than originally anticipated, and Gov. Ed Rendell’s administration is continuing to push the lease of the tollway. They have requested that lawmakers give state officials broad authority to lease the turnpike, which the governor hopes will revive the state’s crumbling roadways by generating more than a billion in additional revenue.

The administration released an analysis by Wall Street investment bank Morgan Stanley & Co., which reported the turnpike’s 359-mile route between Ohio and New Jersey and the northeast extension could be worth an upfront payment of $12 to $18 billion, depending on the lease length. The return on a $12 billion payment with 8 percent interest would generate the $965 million Rendell had project the lease would bring in in his first proposal.

A Rendell-appointed study group estimated the state needs $1.7 billion a year to upgrade the state’s deteriorating highway system and cash-strapped mass transit systems. The governor’s plan has so far had a luke-warm reception from the legislature thus far. Morgan Stanley also studied the possibility of putting a non-profit organization in charge of the turnpike, as other states use. The non-profit corporation could borrow against toll revenues and hire private companies to run the roads, which could contribute $1.4 billion annually for highways.

Northstar Corridor Rail Charges Forward
BusinessNorth.com, MN – May 22, 2007
WASHINGTON – Plans for Minnesota’s first possible commuter rail line is progressing forward. The Federal Transit Administration has asked the Northstar Corridor Rail Project to submit its application for federal funding, according to Congressman Jim Oberstar. The FTA typically only makes this kind of request if the project has a good chance of being approved.

The proposed Northstar Corridor would run from downtown Minneapolis to Big Lake, just south of St. Cloud. Forty percent of the line’s $320 million cost is expected to come from the federal government.

The corridor will save over a million gallons of gas every year by taking an estimated 2,600 cars off the roads every day. Planners say it will also spur economic growth and development along the route. Up to $3 billion in housing, retail and other services is planned by developers along the Northstar line."

The American Government is going to push mass transit down people's throats whether they want it or not. Many Minnesotans don't want it. It gets dangerously cold up here and people can get frostbite in a matter of seconds. Will the government also pay for warm waiting areas for all these new riders? They estimate 2,600 less cars off the road. Shound we spend $320 million of federal funds to test the truth of that estimate of 2,600 cars off the road?"

Of those so quick to cast blame on the president, how many of you have no problem budgeting your own income? The President has millions of people living with different lifestyles, and is forced to make decisions of what is of importance to the majority of American people.

Vicky

[Chemar]

as the original post focuses on HEALTH CARE , I do need to request that any discussion should stay on topic and not become pure politics, transportation issues etc etc.



thanks
Cheri

[SherylJ]

As the author of the letter to the editor introduced by this thread, I want to address VHPerry's criticisms.

She writes, "The editorial written by "one of our own," is only an opinion of one person. She does not write for our entire community. She is representing a very small special interest group and her view does not agree with all Americans."

Yes, this letter is only MY opinion, affirmed by the fact that I use the pronoun "I" throughout and use no group affiliation with my name.
You, however, purrport to speak for me and the rest of the PD community when you say, "Just as we, before our diagnosis, were annoyed when the VA, the Lupas Foundation, Breast Cancer Foundation, etc. called for donations while we were tightening our belts trying to keep up with higher costs." Let it be noted in the record that I was not "annoyed."

I certainly do not agree with all Americans (actually I missed the memo that said Americans are all of one opinion on anything) and I am proud to live in a country where dissent is allowed.

As to your claim that I "represent a very small special interest group," I'd like to know what group this is. My only memberships involve a few museums, and Costco, AARP, and a variety of rewards programs (all of which save me $ in these difficult financial times).

Finally, you say, "The President has millions of people living with different lifestyles, and is forced to make decisions of what is of importance to the majority of American people." My short answer is, "Nice sentiment." Speaking only for myself (notice my pronoun of choice), I believe there is enough waste in our government to fund affordable healthcare for all Americans. It's a matter of priorities.

Sheryl

[reverett123]

Given that we were just a decade ago one of the wealthiest of nations,
And that we were one of the most advanced in the sciences and medicine,
And that war has been used as a pretext for looting the treasury,
And that religious belief has been used to allocate what research funds are available,
I conclude that the situation can speak for itself.

[vlhperry]

I apologize for my assumptions. The article was Titled by the poster as "one of our own." I sincerely apologize as I incorrectly assumed the poster was referring to a person with Parkinson's or a caretaker of a person with Parkinson's. I will edit out my incorrect assumptions to make my post as my opinion and not an attack

Please accept my humble apology.

Sincerely,
Vicky

[trfan]

before you post vitriol. Each of us has our own opinions on this topic and not one mind is going to be changed by hateful discussion on either side.

[Chemar]

just a reminder that where this is a very relevant discussion, we are going to be editing where needed to keep things on track, and prevent it from deteriorating into negative comments to other members or their views, and also to prevent a political argument beyond the TOPIC of the OP

co-operation by all much appreciated

thanks
Cheri

[SherylJ]

Vicky,

Just to clarify, I am a person with Parkinson's, but I still only speak for myself. This is not a group I chose to join, Parkinson's found me, and refuses to let me resign my membership.

I appreciate your apology and recognize our right to disagree with each other on an individual basis, representing only our own opinions.

Sheryl