25Nov 2011

America: Land of Hard Work and Prosperity or Land of Entitlement and Litigation?

Written by Longe Magazine 

America: Land of Hard Work and Prosperity or Land of Entitlement and Litigation?

It is well known this country was founded on hard work from the pilgrims to pioneers, coal miners and engineers. Everything worked for was done through enormous feats of physical endurance, know-how and innovation. All of this hard work led to the inventions and innovations which have made our lives so much easier. Each generation has worked extremely hard to make sure the next generation has had it a bit easier. But the question is have we made it too easy for ourselves? Instead of a good old fashioned work ethic have we passed down a sense of entitlement?

American workers of the past didn’t grumble over 16 hour work days. They didn’t bail when they broke a sweat. They were proud of every hard earned dime which put food on the table. When it came to buying a car, house, or a college education for the kids, they saved and felt a well earned sense of accomplishment when they could afford anything. This sense of pride and accomplishment has been replaced with a sense of entitlement.

Easy credit and frivolous lawsuits might have thrown the concept of having a work ethic out of the window. It is hard to pick yourself up and head out the door for a tiring laborious job when you see someone on the news bring in a multi-million dollar check because they found a bug in their food at a local fast food restaurant, or because they didn’t look both ways and got hit by a car. Seeing these kinds of incidents pan out for folks who have done nothing to actually earn a million dollars has sparked envy from those who always work hard. Regrettably, children see this type of payout and grow to expect an easy ride rather than earn it. Today, some look to those who are financially successful such as doctors, fast food chains, insurance companies and big business, but instead of imitating the model of success they spent years following, some just want to acquire what they have by suing them.

There are endless of examples of those who have chosen to sue for riches and a lifestyle they won’t work to earn. Some ways in which you see this tactic used successfully is in the areas of car insurance, medical malpractice suits and workers compensation. You can find many situations where someone suffered minimal damage and has accepted a multi-million dollar settlement so they never have to bother working again. Medical malpractice meant to protect you from malice or intentional injury has been twisted to make doctors pay out serious cash for any human error imaginable no matter how minor the suffering may turn out to be. Statutes meant to protect labor workers from being unfairly fired or recklessly injured have also been twisted as to allow any minor injury to also result in big pay outs so the worker never has to wok again. It seems as though anyone who sees a large house or beautiful car can simply contemplate who to sue and they too can have all the luxuries in life without ever having to work to earn them.

There are several shocking examples of people who chose suing to earn money rather than hard work. One man actually sued NBC for 2.5 million on the premise that the show “Fear Factor” caused him pain and suffering due to its content and how it made him sick to watch. Another woman is now living quite nicely after she was hit by a subway train in New York City. She was awarded 14 million dollars. The subway system in no way failed or was faulty. She was laying on the tracks trying to attempt suicide at the time she was hit. She survived and now has 14 million reasons to live. One man now lives free and easy after suing Budweiser Beer. Did they harm him in any way making it impossible for him to earn a living for his family? No. He was irreparably traumatized when he found drinking Budweiser didn’t get the beautiful women promised in their advertising. Sadly, all of these folks are now relishing in riches they never had to earn the hard way.

These cases and the general mentality of entitlement found in all aspects of American society only show future generations all they need for success is to sit back and wait for a minor misfortune to fall upon them. Millions of dollars are likely to fall from the sky if they just find the right lawyer to take the case.

04May 2010

What Does the Obama Health Care Bill Mean?

Written by Longe Magazine Staff Writer 

What Does the Obama Health Care Bill Mean?

After much debate and heated rhetoric from nearly every elected official, the Obama Health Care Bill is now law. While the bill, like every other bill ever passed, is extensively long and complicated, there are main points that can and will affect the health care choices of virtually every American. There are provisions in the bill that will go into effect immediately, some within six months, and others that will be implemented in steps over the next 10 years.

One of the main provisions that will greatly affect the health of millions of Americans is the extension and availability of coverage for the 32 million people in this country who are currently not insured. Those who are self-employed or uninsured for other reasons will be able to buy affordable insurance through the states and through subsidies. Another provision that has come as a relief, and potential lifesaver, for families centered on sick children, is that the children will no longer be denied coverage based on their illness. Not covering sick kids based on the pre-existing condition loopholes allowed for insurance companies to simply say “no” to covering and paying for lifesaving treatments for those children who needed it most. Under the Health Care Bill, parents will never feel helpless against insurance companies again. Another provision of the bill pertaining to parents and children is the extension of coverage for kids through their parents insurance until the age of 26.

Other items in the bill state that small businesses, with fewer than 25 people, will have to make affordable insurance available for employees. The business owner can receive up to 35% of the premium cost as a tax credit when they do provide coverage to their employees

For those who are currently uninsured due to pre-existing conditions, they can immediately receive subsidies to buy into a high risk pool. In 2014, the practice of denying adults coverage because of pre-existing conditions will be banished altogether. The practice of dropping coverage on individuals after they become sick will also not be tolerated anymore under the new plan.

Other important bans involving insurance companies include a ban on lifetime limits on care. There are now restrictions on annual limits on the amount or type of coverage a person may access. In 2014, the plan will implement bans on all kinds of limits on care from insurance companies.

2014 is also a key year for Medicaid changes. In 2014, Medicaid will be extended to childless adults. By 2014, everyone must purchase health insurance of some sort or face an annual fine of $695. For those who are low income and cannot afford the most basic plan, there will be some limited exceptions.

While the debate waged on for months, misinformation was put out to public concerning coverage for illegal immigrants. There is no eligibility for illegal immigrants.

Some of the less complicated and financial aspects of the plan involve provisions to help communities simply be healthier. There will be free preventive care under Medicare, meaning preventive services will have no co-pays and will be exempt from deductibles. There will also be a significant increase in funding for community health centers. These centers will be more available and able to see roughly twice the patients as existing centers.

When it comes to disputes and questions regarding health care and insurance issues, there will be aid given to states to establish offices to assist people with complaints or appeals concerning coverage.

While there will always be fierce debate about the bill on both sides and issues that cannot be solved easily, the Obama Health Care Bill opens the door to change. It helps let the uninsured in the door and in better control of their health care decisions. The overall hope of the plan is to make coverage available to more people, which will help set the tone for a decrease in health care cost for everyone. Ideally, the plan will give control back to the patient and encourage better health. It is a proven fact when people have insurance, they live healthier and are more responsible with their health. This alone will ease the burden that society has to pay for when the uninsured fall ill and turn to emergency care, or worse yet, no care at all.

04May 2010

How is The New Tea Party and Sarah Palin?

Written by Longe Magazine Staff Writer 

How is The New Tea Party and Sarah Palin?

Regardless of which party is in power at any given time in history, there is always opposition. That is the nature of our democracy. Our two party system, democrat and republican, has held on to power for generations, however, fringe groups have also come into play and have drawn quite a following. One fringe political group that has sprung to the forefront and shows no sign of slowing down is the Tea Party Movement. Named after the original fore fathers protest against tea taxes and the defiant act of throwing the tea into Boston Harbor, the Tea Party Movement prides itself on being seen as patriotic. They have adopted the belief that dissent is the most patriotic act an American can do.

The Tea Party Movement is spear-headed by the Tea Party express which travels across America spreading the message of Tea Party members and recruiting others to the cause. Movements have grown in popularity recently as more and more Americans become disgruntled by the present state and direction of the country. However, just because the group is making headlines does not mean they are soon to outnumber the two parties that still define American politics.

The Tea Party movement is not as diverse as the republican and democratic parties. The members, or those who consider themselves behind the movement, are 89% white. 75% of them are middle-aged and consider themselves to be traditional conservatives. Most are in higher income brackets than average, highly educated and have insurance. Under the current administration, this particular demographic is seeing their taxes rise slightly as others see their taxes fall. This is partly why the Tea party movement has taken off. Anger and dissent is flowing over in this demographic and the movement has become its outlet.

There are some core beliefs that bind members of the Tea Party. They primarily want government out of their business and out of their wallets. They believe the government is headed in the wrong direction and they want current political leadership to quit interfering and regulating anything and everything, from health care to financial stimulus packages. They feel the rights of the constitution are being ignored. They consider themselves mostly republican; but believe the modern republican is moving too far to the moderate side, leaving their fundamental values and beliefs behind. Tea Party members also feel they are being expected to pay the way for other Americans, such as immigrants and minorities.

The Tea Party movement has recently gained one very well known supporter and speaker who has inspired Tea Partiers and enraged those who view the Tea Party movement as a fringe extremist movement. Sarah Palin, former Vice Presidential candidate and former Governor of Alaska, has taken the microphone at many Tea Party Express stops, drawing in crowds that are almost too large to count. Whether or not people agree with her seems irrelevant to the fact that she attracts a crowd and a lot of attention whenever she takes the stage. Her spirited rhetoric, snappy catch phrases, and “folksy” tone touch a nerve and make her the perfect spokeswoman for the Tea Party movement. The average person who aligns themselves with the Tea Party movement sees her as inspirational and not afraid to ruffle the feathers of the establishment. However, for those critics of the Tea Party movement, she is the perfect target of ridicule and easy to brush off as inexperienced and without substance.

As the adopted darling of the very conservative movement, Sarah Palin has gotten the Tea Party a lot of press and attention. However, not all press and attention has helped the movement recently. While the majority consider themselves average Americans, some have come to rallies clearly expressing extremist views, capturing the spotlight and taking away from the message the Tea Party wishes moderate and conservative Americans to see. Extremist, and even political figures currently in office, have used the Tea Party platform to express anti-latino, anti-immigrant and racist laden rhetoric. The Tea Party has tried very hard lately to distance themselves from extremists; yet the anger that has led to the Tea Party movement’s existence has drawn in extremists nonetheless.

As the Tea Party Express picks up speed, there seems to be no limit to how far the movement may reach or how many people may join. With a national figure as polarizing and controversial as Sarah Palin on stage, the movement will continue to make headlines and gain national attention. Whether or not that attention and the cluster of anger that has bound members translates to the change they are seeking remains to be seen.

25Oct 2009

When It Comes to Politics, Do You Vote Based on Your Social Concerns or Your Business Interest?

Written by Longe 

When it comes time to head into the voting booth, you can be swayed one way or another based on many reasons. If you do not have a specific party alliance, the platforms of both major political parties can be overwhelming and leave you still guessing which one has your best interest at heart. The problem lies in the fact that as an individual, there are many things that affect your views and how you feel about certain political policies. You have both a personal outlook on the United States and what promises the government holds for you, your family and society as a whole. But, you are also a citizen who either runs a business or is in the midst of climbing the corporate ladder in search of the riches promised through capitalism. You may find these conflicts challenging to reconcile when it comes to supporting a particular political party.