Tom Daschle, America’s Healthcare Jesus?

Today CNN reports that President-Elect Obama has chosen former Senator Tom Daschle to head the Department of Health and Human Services. His primary objective will be to write the much anticipated, highly publicized, “Obama Healthcare Overhaul” which will be presented to Congress next year. As a key component of this plan, Daschle intends to create an independent oversight committee similar in structure and autonomy to the Federal Reserve. The goal of this board will be to evaluate the cost vs. efficacy ratio of current and future therapies in order to determine a specific formulary of clinical and therapeutic best practices. These best practices will represent the finite standard of care the government will be willing to provide for recipients of its health delivery systems, namely Medicare and Medicaid. Compare that mission statement with the mission statement of an already existing government agency, taken directly from its website:

The FDA is responsible for protecting the public health by assuring the safety, efficacy, and security of human and veterinary drugs, biological products, medical devices, our nation’s food supply, cosmetics, and products that emit radiation. The FDA is also responsible for advancing the public health by helping to speed innovations that make medicines and foods more effective, safer, and more affordable; and helping the public get the accurate, science-based information they need to use medicines and foods to improve their health.

Sounds similar. In fact, the establishment of the FDA by the Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act of 1938 came during a time of similar economic and political pressure. According to the FDA website, the Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act of 1938 was a response to the death of 100 people…

AK Yams’ WTF Moments of the Week

Hello, readers. Welcome to a new segment called “AK Yams’ WTF Moments of the Week.” This column will be dedicated to pointing out moments that make sane people say “WTF?” Hope you enjoy!

President-Elect Barack Obama is already helping to stimulate the economy. According to MSNBC, faced with the prospect of stiffer gun-control laws under an Obama administration, firearm enthusiasts everywhere began stocking up on weapons as if Al-Qaeda themselves were docking in downtown Boise.

Listen, I understand people hunt; many Americans in rural America rely on firearms to hunt game which feed their families. I understand people have an infatuation with guns and collect them; just like I have a guitar collection. What I have trouble understanding is the notion that if everyone had guns, people would be safer and random shootings would not happen because potential shooters would be aware of the consequences. Another common opinion is that automobiles can kill people too, so why are people allowed to drive cars if we can’t have guns? This logic is so backwards that it’s hard to know where to start.

First of all, the primary function of an automobile is to get from Point A to Point B. When someone is killed along the way, we call it an ‘accident.’  When guns kill people, they are serving their primary function, regardless of the circumstances. The purpose of a gun is to shoot and kill someone or something. There’s no argument there. That’s what guns are for.

Secondly, assuming that we’d all be safer if trained, licensed firearm owners carried weapons is also a bit disconcerting. What’s to stop a trained, licensed firearm carrier from opening fire in a public…

Now What!?

In case you didn’t catch the news last night or today, Democratic Presidential nominee Barack Obama is now President Elect Barack Obama. Mission accomplished, right? Now it’s time to move forward, because there’s a steaming pile waiting to greet him at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue.

(Reasonable) McCain supporters: You voted for a candidate and he lost. I’m sure you have your reasons and I respect that, even though I disagree with you. Maybe you have a certain level of income that could be threatened under an Obama administration, you are adamantly opposed to abortion, or you support the war in Iraq. I can’t identify, but once again, I have to respect your opinions and political stance.

[Un(Reasonable)] McCain supporters: You can’t even begin to fathom how 52% of America voted for a socialist with no record or experience; they must have been either tricked by his empty promises or have felt like it was the politically correct thing to do. I’ve seen posts all over the place with people saying that Obama is not their president, or they’ll never recognize Obama as president (kind of like how terrorist organizations refuse to recognize Israel’s existence despite the obvious reality). Hopefully, you will calm down and realize that Obama is in fact pro-America and deeply cares for all of her citizens. People are expecting some level of extreme leftism out of Obama, but I really feel like he’s going to be more left-center. He may disappoint conservatives for being too liberal, but he will also disappoint liberals for not being liberal enough.

Whether you agree with Barack Obama or not, you cannot deny the fact that he succeeded in inspiring millions…

November 4th Marks the Closing Chapter of the American Dark Ages. Today, We Forge Ahead in Hope!

November 4th, 2008 marks the close of a dark chapter in American history. All across the country today, Americans woke up with elation and renewed hope as our united conviction for change becomes one step closer to reality.

This is a historic moment; not just because Obama is African-American, but also because the American people have spoken again with a loud and resounding voice “We will not put up with Tyranny, Corruption, and Greed”.

We are at the dawn of a new era of reform and monumental change in the way our government operates. As President-Elect Obama said last night, “…for 232 years, at each moment when that promise was in jeopardy, ordinary men and women, students and soldiers, farmers and teachers, nurses and janitors found the courage to keep it alive.”

It’s our relentless courage to stand together in difficult times–because we believe we can–that defines us as Americans. We have proven to the world that America is not another corrupt regime, and the spirit of the founders is still alive.

A long and difficult road awaits us, but “We The People” will prevail, because “Yes We Can.”

-Michael Down

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