Perhaps my original post was painted with a broader brush than need be, but knowing both active duty and retired personnel, I still feel that you guys and gals deserve the finest we have to give, and yet you are the first to suffer for 'budgetary' concerns. Longrifle is correct, the VA is not an example of socialized medicine. However, I believe that first steps taken to implement socialized medicine will be taken within the VA system. I hope and pray that the leadership in the Pentagon will not allow this to happen, but I have little hope.

Everyone that wishes to see what American Health Care will be like under government control needs to go to their local VA hospital. This is a system that is under direct control of the government and is run by the exact same people that would be given control of the public sector. This system is an embarrassment, both to our Country and our Vets. These Men and Women gave up their lives to serve us, some of them gave up limbs, some gave up their sanity, others gave up their their basic health. Fortunately, some others have lived to become senior citizens. These folks deserve the best we have to give, if for no other reason that in return for what they gave us. Yet, the VA system is a gross failure. Grossly underfunded and understaffed, I do not doubt that a majority of the hospitals try to their best with what they are given, but they are only given a tiny amount of what they need. This is the future that Obama and Congress is promising us. Also, remember, members of Congress, past and present, will not be subject to this system. No, they will have their own system, paid for by us as well, paid off the top, so that we only get what is left. This is what we need to stop. They are not the 'Ruling Class', we are not the Soviet Union and Congress is not the Kremlin. We must not stand by and allow this happen. The Constitutional guarantees the we have grown up to believe would protect us have been slowly and methodically voided. We need to find and elect people that will undo this damage. It will take time, it will be a fight, but our Country is worth it. Our Freedom is worth it.

Oh, wait, that's right. Congress has passed laws that prevent them and their agents from being held legally responsible for any negative results of their incompetence.

Hey Mike, I agree with Mr. Walker in terms of the amendments. If all else fails, we need to start clogging up the Courts with the 'anti-interference' agenda. Let's sue the House Banking and Finance Committee to prevent this bill from being voted on to allow Geither to determine the pay of employees of companies that the Government is 'helping.' Let's get the California Insurance companies to sue the state and EPA for damages and losses during the wildfires. Their looney ideas are the major causes of these fires. Responsible logging and forestry practices limit the underbrush that is able to dry out and die, only to become tinder for fires. But, no, that would disturb some bird or tree rat that is so much better off burning to death, rather than moving while the logging is done, then coming back.

I lived in Phoenix for a year. My home is in the great Kingdom of Rendellvania. It was a bit odd to see and hear Sheriff Joe enforcing the immigration laws. The truth of the Tent City is that it is voluntary. The inmates request assignment to Tent City. Of course, here in Rendellvania, our great and benevolent ruler and his court makes sure that all are punished that try to make him enforce immigration law. I find it extremely interesting that we, as tax-paying citizens, can not pick and choose the laws we follow, but it seems as though Government Officials can do so as they please. I am still tickled by the statement of the Phoenix Mayor in opposition to Sheriff Joe's enforcement of the immigration laws, "His (Sheriff Joe's) reckless actions are causing these immigrants to be afraid to come to Phoenix." My thought was, good!!

The push for State rights and sovereignty is beginning. The following bill has been introduced in the Texas legislature. Here is the link: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/History... This is a major step that all states need to make. The power of the States needs to be re-asserted.

1. Term Limits - I am not sure if I would vote for two or four, but definitely limit them.
2. National referendum to approve pay raises for Congress - no one should have the authority to give themselves a raise, except the self-employed.
3. Remove the Congressional Exemption from laws - did you know that sitting members of Congress are exempt from a gross number of the laws they pass, especially labor laws.
4. Repeal Congressional benefits package - I do not enjoy the thought of my tax money going to pay the retirements of my current set of US Senators, who are multi-millionaires as it is. If anything, make them eligible for the VA heathcare system for serving.

After reading a number of posts and replies on the Vent board, I can see we have a battle ahead of us. Folks, the issue at hand is not a matter of how hard a job is, it is not a question of what value someone's expressed ideas have (no matter how idiotic they sound), the issue at hand is how there is an effort in place to quietly and quickly remove the most basic rights we have as Americans. Already, certain states are moving to block our ability to gather and share ideas and support. They are using 'common sense' laws, put into place to 'protect' communities from the 'costs' of public assembly. The requirement of permits, insurance, and so on and so on, are being used against the Tea Party organizers. We can not allow this to stand. Do you think that groups like MoveOn.org or ACORN are not taking actions to prevent this movement from gaining steam? I firmly believe that a majority of the trolls on these boards are from such organizations. The sole purpose of them being here is to attack and dishearten those that post on this board. It is an old web trick. The Trolls invade a board and after a while, the posters that were searching for a place to come together get tired of being insulted and having to defend themselves all the time. So, they end up abandoning the board. That is what these individuals are trying to do, get you to give up and abandon this forum. If you are attacked by a troll on these boards, ignore them. Do not respond to their attempts to make you defend yourself against them. Once they realize that we know what they are there for, they lose their power and become just the ludicrous, transparent, 'community activists' that they are. Funny thing is, they are probably getting paid to do this. Worse thing is, given the amount of money that has been budgeted to these organizations, your tax money is probably going to the the person attacking you.

Let's see, we have given Government control of a national retirement plan, the healthcare of our honorable veterans, international relations, and ceded control of our basic human right to the pursuit of happiness. How are they working out? Social Security is bankrupt. The VA hospital system is pathetic. Where the US was once respected and feared, we are now considered secondary and laughable. Finally, the 'leaders' that are continuously returned to power now feel free to basically run the country for their direct benefit without any fear of repercussions. Each election, 'We the People' continue to sit around and bitch and moan about how they are nothing but a bunch of crooks. The truth is, I have done the exact same thing. However, I always felt alone, isolated in a public sea of political correctness and criticism towards conservative values. Groups like MoveOn.org and ACORN are just that, groups like us. We have to have the numbers and the people willing to invest time, effort and, dare I say it, money to take this Country back. For far too long, we have sat back, secure in the belief that, ultimately, the safeguards put into place by the Founding Fathers would prevent the corrupt and the power-hungry from taking over our government. But, they fooled us. They made sure our children have no knowledge of the safeguards, only their desires and agendas. They have demonized opposing thoughts and the idea of open debate. The Press, the Fourth Estate, held in such high regard by the framers of the Constitution that the very first amendment grants them the right to shine the light of truth into the activities of Government without fear of reprisal, has been corrupted from the inside and rendered useless. So, once the agents of corruption and graft feel free to operate in darkness, they will. Has anyone thought to question why movies like 'The Dark Knight' and 'Spiderman' do so well at the Box Office. It is because the average American is starving for a hero to defeat the evil around them. They, we, feel powerless. They want to be able to rally behind someone, something that will lead them out of the sewer that Washington DC has become and help restore this Country to greatness. The US is not perfect, it never has been. But, there was a time we were willing to take responsibility and stand up for our values. That is where we need this movement to take us.

Richard, Citizen, thanks for the explanation. I understand the Keynesian theory that our President and his advisors seem to subscribe to. This plan, though, reeks more of some sort of massive three-card monte game, rather than Keynesian economics. As I was reminded today, the same people that 'our' Government is relying on to spend the money necessary to generate the new revenue to be taxed, do not have to spend it. They will, most entrepreneurs can not resist the prospect of a deal, it is the gamble that is the attraction, the reward(profit) is a bonus.........which will probably lead to them being attacked by ACORN's lackeys.