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Re: Supporting Our Students, Strengthening Our Country | The Harvard Crimson

dcinca — Sat, 04 Sep 2010 18:42:53 -0000

The hard reality is that the write downs are costing Americans jobs. These "wonderful companies" are the companies that provide jobs. These employers will write down an estimated 14 billion this year as a result of Obamacare. That means job losses and is certainly no encouragement to hiring.
A safety net? Really? Many companies that currently provide insurance for employees are considering paying the fine and dumping their employees into the pool. http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0510/36926.html. Many of those now uninsured are going to be put into Medicaid. Many physicians won't treat Medicaid patients. States are bankrupt like California, New York, New Jersey and won't be able to fund their Medicaid programs without continued yearly taxpayer bailouts.

The practice of defensive medicine, ordering unnecessary tests and procedures to protect against lawsuits is estimated to cost America at minimum 40-50 billion dollars a year. Real medical tort reform such as Canada and Europe have, would really bend the cost curve and pay for a lot of necessary medical care for the underinsured. But no tort reform in Obamacare other than for meaningless small demonstration projects.

The intentions are good but this bill is terrible. The Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services has 900 job openings for people needed to write new national healthcare policy and is unable to provide any direction into what Medicare policy will be on implementation. What a mess. The majority of Americans hate it. And Democrats running for office this November have been advised to run away from it.
http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0810/41271.html

Re: Supporting Our Students, Strengthening Our Country | The Harvard Crimson

dcinca — Fri, 03 Sep 2010 12:08:44 -0000

"I’d also point out: One way we’re helping young people afford college is by helping them to afford health insurance. Because of the new health care law, young adults can stay on their parents’ health plans until they are 26 years old."

Ahh... yes, but what about after college? Once again the specter of the healthcare reform bill. You can now have health insurance through your parents. You just can't get a job when you graduate.

As a result of the passage of Obamacare, last spring AT&T took a 1 billion dollar write down, Deere, 150 million. Caterpiller 100 million, 3M 90 million, and so on...company after company after company. This can't be good for the hiring prospects of future college grads.
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704100604575146002445136066.html

Healthcare costs for employers and employees are set again to rise and are anticipated to rise yearly for the foreseeable future. After all, how do you insure more people, eliminate pre-existing conditions and eliminate caps on coverage without raising premiums? Analysts conclude that the bill will not bend the cost curve of medical care.

And the uncertainty over implementation of this 2000 page bill is paralyzing business. When the Wall Street Journal calls this bill "The Worst Bill Ever", that is ominous for business, the economy, and jobs. As Americans learn what is in the bill, consistent majorities in poll after poll want it repealed.
http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/current_events/healthcare/august_2010/58_favor_repeal_of_the_health_care_law_36_are_opposed

And adding insult to injury, Harvard's student health program is not in compliance with Obamacare regulations. http://www.mcclatchydc.com/... So now your parents can buy you health insurance. But wouldn't it be better if you could get a job and buy your own?

Re: BREAKING: Detained Harvard Sophomore Safe From Deportation | The Harvard Crimson

dcinca — Sun, 20 Jun 2010 13:01:45 -0000

And so the solution is? America should have open borders and all should be allowed to come and go as they please? Or only the poor and oppressed should be allowed to come and go as they please? Or only those of certain ethnicity or race should be allowed to come and go as they please?

If America's immigration laws are unfair, then they need to be changed. Until then, they should be enforced.

Re: BREAKING: Detained Harvard Sophomore Safe From Deportation | The Harvard Crimson

dcinca — Sun, 20 Jun 2010 11:25:15 -0000

The issue is illegal immigration and what to do about it. It shouldn't be a discussion of pitting one race against another, rich against poor, or right against left. Polls consistently show that Americans on the right and left want current immigration laws enforced by a greater than 2 to 1 margin. U.S. immigration laws are race blind. No country on this planet allows unlimited and unregulated immigration at will.

Polls consistently show that Americans are in favor of LEGAL immigration. Americans are not in favor of ILLEGAL immigration.

Re: Fear and Misperception in Arizona | The Harvard Crimson

dcinca — Fri, 14 May 2010 19:23:26 -0000

Every sovereign country has laws that forbid illegal immigration. Every sovereign country enforces those laws. Why are Americans who want our immigration laws to be enforced labelled racist?

John McCain tried to pass a comprehensive immigration bill that would have granted amnesty for 12 million hispanics in America illegally. For that effort, he got 30% of the Latino vote. Obama has done nothing but provide lip service to the idea of immigration reform. He hasn't put forth a program nor has he provided leadership on this issue. But yet he is held in higher regard. How does that figure?

So now John McCain is backing a bill in his state that his constutuents have demanded and 70% approve of. Nationally, by an almost 2 to 1 margin Americans agree with the Arizona bill. Isn't he supposed to represent his constituents? He is an elected representative of his state, not an appointed duke or earl.

This isn't about race. Americans want immigration laws enforced. If the laws are unfair, then our elected officials need to change them. But that isn't what happens. The laws are never changed, they're simply ignored. This lack of enforcement by federal officials isn't acceptable.

Re: Gawking at the Ivory Tower | The Harvard Crimson

dcinca — Thu, 06 May 2010 12:53:33 -0000

Silpa, Your commentary is excellent and you've done Harvard proud. Hearty congratulations on your upcoming graduation.

Students and professors at all academic institutions need the freedom to discuss and study topics that may not be politically correct and possibly even hurtful to some. Otherwise, how can knowledge about the imperfect world that we live in be advanced? Disagreements should be vigorously met with counter-arguments and persuasion using logic and fact, not personal attacks.

After all, what does 'VERITAS' mean? Last time I looked, it's not Latin for 'Be Political Correct'.

Re: Gawking at the Ivory Tower | The Harvard Crimson

dcinca — Thu, 06 May 2010 01:51:22 -0000

Silpa, Your commentary is excellent and you've done Harvard proud. Hearty congratulations on your upcoming graduation.

After all, what does 'VERITAS' mean? Last time I looked, it's not Latin for 'Be Political Correct'.

Re: Europe Legitimizes Islamophobia | The Harvard Crimson

dcinca — Wed, 05 May 2010 12:48:03 -0000

Everything is relative. The lack of multicultural acceptance in Europe and the United States pales in comparison to the horrible repression and intolerance in the Middle East. Why write a commentary on the failings within the most open societies and ignore the worst?

Re: Parties and Protests | The Harvard Crimson

dcinca — Mon, 03 May 2010 23:32:23 -0000

Student. Do you mean to say that any organization that consists of mostly white older males in a higher proportion than exists in the general population is inherently racist? Can that be the only reason for the disparity? What kind of reasoning is that?

So everything comes down to racism? You just count the older white men and if there's too many, then it's because of racism. The U. S. Senate is racist? The group that comprises the former members of the men's U.S. Ski Team is racist? The Harvard Alumni Association is racist? It's really that simple?

The reason for criticism is that all of you at Harvard are supposed to be the best and the brightest in America. With that comes a responsibility to work harder to be analytical, objective, fair and accurate. You should expect to be held to a higher standard.

Re: Parties and Protests | The Harvard Crimson

dcinca — Mon, 03 May 2010 11:50:21 -0000

This is one of the worst commentaries in recent memory. Why the Progressive knee-jerk reaction of labeling the opposition as being racist?

The main thrust of the Tea Party movement is fiscal responsibility and the main impetus was the healthcare reform bill. Before being so dismissive, isn't the Tea Party movement credited with Scott Brown's astonishing win in January?

Re: Reasonable Suspicion? | The Harvard Crimson

dcinca — Sun, 02 May 2010 13:36:15 -0000

This isn't just a state's problem. It is currently AGAINST FEDERAL LAW to be in the United States illegally, regardless of country of origin. This applies equally to Asians, Europeans, Canadians, as well as those from Latin America. Our laws about this are no different than those of any sovereign country, with the exception that enforcement and punishment is often significantly less (see the punishment for breaking immigration laws in Mexico).

If this law is unfair or unjust, then Americans should change it. However, until then, it is the law and it should be enforced by our government and respected by our citizens.

Re: Reasonable Suspicion? | The Harvard Crimson

dcinca — Tue, 27 Apr 2010 22:34:59 -0000

Another modest proposal.

Harvard should have a 'look the other way' policy for non-admitted students. ANY student who is not an accepted Harvard student should be able to attend classes at Harvard. After all, IDs aren't checked when entering the lecture halls. These same students should try to enter the dorms following Harvard students before the doors close. If they can find a seat in the cafeteria they should eat and if they can find a place that doesn't disturb others they should sleep. At the end of the semester, they should demand to be permitted to take the test and have their demand accepted. If they get passing scores and accumulate the needed credits, they should then be permitted to graduate with a Harvard degree.

Wouldn't this be humane, just, and fair? They have accomplished everything that a Harvard graduate accomplished and have followed all the rules except obtaining acceptance from the admissions office. These "illegal students" are only trying to do better for themselves and their families. They are otherwise hard working, decent, and honest students who contribute to the Harvard experience. Yes, they are breaking the rule of admission, but they have proved time and time again, that they are good students who are now obeying all the rules at Harvard and therefore deserve to be here.

Harvard students have so much and the "illegal students" have so little. Shouldn't Harvard be compassionate?

Re: Creating Real Diversity | The Harvard Crimson

dcinca — Fri, 23 Apr 2010 02:37:42 -0000

This is an excellent essay. There is a dearth of diversity of thought on college campuses. A number of surveys estimate that about 90% of college professors vote Democrat except at religious based universities. And what about conservative speakers on college campuses? They are less often invited and not uncommonly shouted down and prevented from speaking. Why is this lack of diversity of thought not addressed by university administration? What is the value of having a student body that outwardly looks diverse but is uniformly politically hard left?

Bwsimmons is correct. Mainstream journalists are by and large politically left and mainstream media reflects that. However Americans are voting with their feet, and mainstream newspapers and news organizations are suffering. Sure there are other reasons such as internet news and cable but the only people that value the heavy left bias in journalism are people on the left. Independents and Republicans are going elsewhere for their information.

Re: Giving Teachers Carrots | The Harvard Crimson

dcinca — Fri, 16 Apr 2010 10:21:54 -0000

The single greatest deterrent to improving the public school system is the teacher's union. It exists only for the benefit of teachers without regard for quality of teaching, students or parents. In Los Angeles, one third of the education budget is spent on retirement benefits. Teachers simply cannot be fired. Less than 200 teachers have been fired in the history of LAUSD. Instead, poorly performing teachers are shunted from one school to the next. Abusive teachers (sexual and otherwise) are simply paid to stay home. Teachers then retire in their late 50's with nearly full salary and with paid health benefits for life.

Do the math. What other job in the public sector pays more in retirement than during actual employment? The teacher's unions don't give a rat's *ss about the kids. The next time they ask for new education bonds, parents should ask for union reform instead.

Re: The Silent Treatment | The Harvard Crimson

dcinca — Sat, 10 Apr 2010 01:51:25 -0000

The real world is a more cruel world than school. Colleges have to worry about hurt feelings from donating alumni if their children aren't accepted. Hence the kind rejection letter. Companies and employers don't have that concern. Top companies may get hundreds or thousands of applications for a handful of positions.

No one has the time and businesses don't want to spend the money to send rejection letters or make rejection phone calls. If they don't call, you didn't get the job. It happens to the best of us. Don't take it personally, just keep trying, and trying, and trying.

Re: The Pay is the thing | The Harvard Crimson

dcinca — Sat, 10 Apr 2010 01:44:02 -0000

Unpaid internships are simply that. You are volunteering your time to gain experience, a possible inside tract to a future job, connections, a potential letter of recommendation, etc. Paid internships are now scarce because the economy is in the tank and companies can't even retain their regular employees that are actually qualified and experienced to do the job at hand. Why would you want the U.S. government to prevent students from learning and gaining valuable experience? Very few companies actually benefit from "work" done by summer interns. Volunteer interns are volunteers, not employees.

Re: Obama the Pitchman | The Harvard Crimson

dcinca — Wed, 07 Apr 2010 19:00:26 -0000

The reason Obama has troubles on the political front is of course the poor economy. But also, he hasn't governed as he campaigned. His soaring rhetoric of "hope and change" has been dashed by the hard realty of his highly partisan maneuvers to pass the healthcare bill. The passage of healthcare was neither bipartisan, nor transparent, and clearly not free of lobbyists ( no tort reform for trial lawyers, lengthening of drug patents and no importation for Big Pharma, delay in taxing health benefits only for labor union members to name a few).

Obama's favorability ratings have fallen faster than any other president precisely because Americans see the clear disconnect from what he says and what he does.

The Right and Independents are unhappy. The vast majority of the emergency stimulus funds did not go to "shovel ready jobs". The actually list of projects funded includes numerous projects that are astonishingly stupid and laughable. Regarding healthcare, most Americans don't believe Obama's claims as the bill is passed and available for analysis. Contrary to Obama's promises, most Americans believe that it will actually increase the deficit and also increase the cost of health insurance and lower the quality of care for themselves.

The Left also has complaints. Despite his rhetoric to the contrary, GITMO is still open and the Patriot Act has been renewed. He did not address immigration reform in his first year as promised.

His recent attempts at campaigning have fallen short. He didn't get the Olympics for Chicago, nor a global warming bill in Copenhagen, nor help elect Democrats in the governor races in Virgina or New Jersey,nor the senate race in Massachusetts.

This isn't a simple matter of dusting off the Obama magic of 2008. He now has an actual record of actions to compare against his campaign rhetoric.

Re: Hope and Change, Delivered | The Harvard Crimson

dcinca — Mon, 05 Apr 2010 11:46:32 -0000

"Now, parental plans cover children until they turn 26."

At what time should childhood end? When does becoming a responsible and self reliant adult begin?
At 26 are you still a child? 18 year old American ADULTS are fighting and dying in Iraq and Afghanistan.

What happened to personal responsibility and initiative? The concept of a 26 year old child being cared for by hard working parents seems unappealing. What are the unintended consequences of something like this, the prolongation of childhood and dependency?

Most Americans don't agree with your vision for this country. In todays CBS poll http://www.cbsnews.com/8301..., 53% OPPOSE and only 32% are in favor of the healthcare bill. The Wall Street Journal calls this healthcare bill "The Worst Bill Ever".

We'll see you at the polls in November.

Re: Five O’Clock Somewhere | The Harvard Crimson

dcinca — Fri, 02 Apr 2010 00:25:24 -0000

Congrats on a wonderful essay.

Re: Stop Playing Politics Over Threats | The Harvard Crimson

dcinca — Tue, 30 Mar 2010 02:34:16 -0000

Someone may have muttered racial slurs to Rep. Lewis. However no news camera, and there were plenty of them present during the walk through the crowd, recorded racial slurs being yelled. And no Capitol Police, and there were plenty of them throughout the crowd and surrounding Rep. Lewis, reported hearing anyone yelling racial slurs or seeing anyone spitting. So to paint the entire group of people based upon a few idiots/wackos is unfair and disingenuous.

The vast majority of the group of people gathered were protesting the passing of the healthcare bill, not the color of the people voting.

Re: How ’Bout Them Dems | The Harvard Crimson

dcinca — Fri, 26 Mar 2010 18:37:16 -0000

No serious person believes that 500 billion in waste and fraud will be cut by the government. Add the doctor fix to induce them to continue seeing Medicare patients and your looking at 300+ more billion. Add the lengthening of drug patents and the increased cost to the system of higher drugs prices. There will be no savings with this bill. By what magic can you add 30 million more people to medical insurance and have it cost less?

Americans don't buy this kind of crazy math and that is why Independents oppose this bill, 3 t0 1.
We'll see you at the polls in November.

Re: In Defense of the Cornhusker Kickback | The Harvard Crimson

dcinca — Wed, 24 Mar 2010 14:43:38 -0000

For 85% of Americans, they didn't get healthcare, they got a healthcare tax and federal oversight of the entire system. America gets to hire 16000 new IRS agents and 200,000 new bureaucrats to administer this plan. Half of the newly insured get Medicaid which less than half of doctors participate in and all the states get stuck with the Medicaid tab except Nebraska. All seniors on Medicare Advantage (15+ million) get their plans axed except those that live in Florida. Expensive healthcare benefits get taxed except those obtained through a labor union. Drugs get more expensive because patents are extended. Who wrote this bill?

You have a an absolute mess of a program which will be a nightmare to implement. The IRS this year has set a goal to answer 70% of phone calls. Wait until you call a government agency with a question about your mom's hip surgery. Good luck America.

Re: Change We Shouldn’t Believe In | The Harvard Crimson

dcinca — Tue, 23 Mar 2010 16:26:46 -0000

Congress controls spending, not the president. The last 3 years of spending have been from the Democrats controlling Congress, not Republicans. Sure, spending was bad under the first 6 Bush years but exploded during the past 3 years.

There was no disagreement that healthcare reform was needed. Every poll showed that Americans wanted it. However as details emerged about the bill and long term consequences, the majority of Americans disliked the bill and preferred a more incremental approach.

This bill can't get repealed but it can be changed. Reducing drug prices for Americans (this bill increases drug patents and prevents importation from Canada/Europe) and tort reform to reduce unnecessary tests and procedures (estimated to cost Americans 80-100 billion a year) can still be added.

This bill doesn't lower healthcare costs and one needs only to look at the cost of the universal plan in Massachusetts, far above estimates at the time of passage, to see what is in store for America.

Re: Healthcare Mythology | The Harvard Crimson

dcinca — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 20:17:45 -0000

The Canadian system is better only for those who would be otherwise uninsured. About 15 million Americans are young, healthy, and choose to be uninsured. Another 85% of Americans are satisfied with their current healthcare.

The Canadian health system is "imploding"" according to the President of the Canadian Medical Association. Healthcare costs comprise one third of the entire budget of Nova Scotia. Another province announced last September that all elective surgeries would be reduced by 30% because their plan was over budget. Cancer cure rates are lower for breast and colon cancer because of diagnostic and treatment delays. There is an 18+ month wait list for MRI of the back and a 2+ year wait list for a neurosurgery consult (that's consult, not surgery). There is a 5 year wait time for surgery for spinal stenosis. Many Canadians cannot see their physicians after the end of September or mid October because they close their practices when they reach their salary quota. Private practice clinics have sprung up and are busy but the government is looking for ways to ban the private practice of medicine. Unlike in America, polls in Canada show that the majority are unhappy with the national health system.

If we subtract the deaths of Americans killed by gunfire (mostly young males and we sadly have a lot of them) and deaths of infants due to premature delivery of very young pregnant girls (which normally has higher infant mortality), then America ranks at the top in terms of mortality and longevity. Deaths from gunfire and high numbers of young pregnancies is a societal problem for America, not a result of a poorly functioning healthcare system.

And look at it another way. America's Internal Revenue Service just announced a "laudable goal" for 2010. They want to strive to return 70% of all calls regarding taxes this year. 70% is a goal? What was their goal last year? 50%? You want the government to run your healthcare?

Most Americans don't want what the Democrats are trying to pass for healthcare reform. 3 out of 4 Americans want to start over.

Re: Healthcare Mythology | The Harvard Crimson

dcinca — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 21:49:13 -0000

Exactly, excellent essay. The idea that 30 million more people can be insured at a lower cost for all is absurdly crazy. Many people will have higher insurance rates, others will instead have higher tax rates for income and capital gains, and some will get both. The cost of this program will be easily double the CBO estimate for the first 10 years because the CBO can only project the cost based on what the Democrats give them. This plan includes no payments to doctors and projects unobtainable savings in Medicare. The costs will explode as in all entitlement programs.

Why don't the Democrats just get the "savings" from Medicare waste and fraud now and buy the unisured insurance? Because there won't be any savings. What government program has ever come in on budget or been run efficiently?

Our economy is really struggling and this plan is going to only make it worse. We'll have unemployment rates of 20% like France and Spain. Good luck getting a job after graduation. I feel really bad for guys coming out of school in the next several years.