Obamacare passed

[arkadelos.livejournal.com]

So, the healthcare bill passed. What does this mean? When is it going to be implemented? What should I expect to happen in one month or three months or six months?

He Said What?

[lazypadawan.livejournal.com]

Here's what the POTUS had to say to House Democrats about passing the health care bill:

“Does anybody think that the teabag, anti-government people are going to support them if they bring down health care? All it will do is confuse and dispirit” Democratic voters “and it will encourage the extremists.”

From the NRO:

http://corner.nationalreview.com/post/?q=MGU3N2E5NzFhZjRiOTkyMjRhNDk0YWNiZGM1NjQ4NzU=

Minnesota's Governor

[princess-ailina.livejournal.com]

I wonder if Tim Pawlenty would be a viable candidate in 2012. I'd heard in 2008 he was on the shortlist for VP.

http://www.politico.com/news/stories/1109/29285.html

Religious NON-taxation; a 'modern' view and QUESTION

[lucy-chronicles.livejournal.com]

This morning I went to the Mega-church 3 blocks away from my new abode. It was on my list of experiences of the 'Leaving America, must do' visiting contemporary events of these times particularly avoiding them having lived in Texas for several years.

http://www.centralchristian.com/onlinecampus/

I was completely DUMBFOUNDED by the mass media show to mass consumerism from bookstore, coffee shop, online donations, videos, Universities to "Neon Faith" (this is Vegas) movement - better than some of the shows i've seen on the strip complete w/ banal Christian rock band.


AND THESE GUYS PAY NO TAXES!!!!. L. Ron Hubbard, founder of Scientology and mass-sci-fi writer fame, had it right apparently from statements of forming one's own religion as the ultimate business model. What prosperity would each family in America be able to experience if we didn't have to pay any taxes like these folks? I've known of people who have followed the 'in-solo-corp' model never filing income tax or paying sales tax again as it's all for their 'church' etc. but they're usually way under anything close to $100K.... and then there was the internet site we all joined during the dotcom boom for small dollar shits' n' giggles, getting others to join - man, if i had 10 more i could have been a SAINT!



So, Discussion... I sincerely doubt given the lack of separation between church and state in this country that there will ever be a change in the tax code for these folks despite the fact that our founding fathers never foresaw the boom in christian businesses to mass-book sales, religions intertwined w/ parties and Religious PACS as major forces, nor would they have seen Churches as the 'ultimate business model' (well, there was the Catholic Church & church of England but that's a whole other discussion) but this just doesn't seem 'fair' whatsoever. I'm reminded of my Grandparents stopping through Jim & Tammy Faye Baker ala' Jesus-land complete w/ Jesus water slide while enroute through on vacation to see us sometime in the 80's before the big 'fallout.' And then all the beggars around ornate, ancient cathedrals worldwide... topics in themselves...



But bottom line question - why shouldn't we tax them at some small amount in the States as the REST OF US = individuals to legit 'for-profit' businesses - are being practically taxed to death? I'm 'doing good' in my own life so really, w/ a thin line, what's the difference? Why not?

Defintions, Definitions

[carbonelle.livejournal.com]

So I've heard people argue that the atheists have won in vast spheres of the American culture: successfully driving nearly all religions (except Islam, of course, I'll leave the reason why as an exercise for the student: my cynical bug is biting to hard to do the question justice) underground. And I've read (recently) that "there is no separation of church and state in America."

They can't both be right. Except, of course when they are: because they've got very different premises furnishing their mental spaces.

So, what do you think that the concept of "separation of church and state" means? Specifically (and also) how do you define "church"? "State"? What does "separation" mean to you?

They already ruined my favorite actors! Leave Elmo alone!

[lizbeth-mairead.livejournal.com]

'Sesame Street' Dig at POX News Draws Backlash, Rebuke From PBS
 

A 2-year-old skit on 'Sesame Street' that referenced a "trashy" news channel called POX News came under fire this week when conservative bloggers accused the long-running PBS series of a liberal bias. In the clip, Oscar the Grouch is a reporter for the Grouch News Network (GNN), but he bored one female viewer, who responds: "From now on, I'm watching Pox News. Now there's a trashy news show!"

Read more here: www.popeater.com/2009/11/06/sesame-street-dig-at-pox-news-backfires/

 

House Bill: DOA?

[lizbeth-mairead.livejournal.com]

I thought this was interesting, since none of us are really sure how this is going to turn out since the House passed the bill.

Obama: It's Senate's Turn on Health Care

WASHINGTON (Nov. 8) – The glow from a health care triumph faded quickly for President Barack Obama on Sunday as Democrats realized the bill they fought so hard to pass in the House has nowhere to go in the Senate. Speaking from the Rose Garden about 14 hours after the late Saturday vote, Obama urged senators to be like runners on a relay team and "take the baton and bring this effort to the finish line on behalf of the American people."
 

The problem is that the Senate won't run with it. The government health insurance plan included in the House bill is unacceptable to a few Democratic moderates who hold the balance of power in the Senate.
 

If a government plan is part of the deal, "as a matter of conscience, I will not allow this bill to come to a final vote," said Sen. Joe Lieberman, the Connecticut independent whose vote Democrats need to overcome GOP filibusters.

"The House bill is dead on arrival in the Senate," Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., said dismissively.
 

Read more: news.aol.com/article/president-obama-says-its-senates-turn-on/758102

Apparently they have a "trigger" option, too.

Hero

[carbonelle.livejournal.com]

Police Sgt. Kimberly Munley takes down Fort Hood terrorist

Brava, ma'am.

hattip to rjlippincott.