United HealthCare, God, and a Life-Saving Liver Transplant

In The Sheepdog's opinion, it appears United HealthCare (UHC) thinks it's no longer in the health insurance business. Instead, it's received a promotion into the business of being God. However, don't take my word for it, just ask 38-year-old mother of one, Erika Zak. UHC has put her through as much hell as cancer did.

Location of human liver - credit Wikipedia

Diagnosed with colorectal cancer, Erika endured more than 70 rounds of chemo and various other treatments which resulted in serious side effects, including damage to her liver and subsequent liver failure.

Over 100 doctors from the country's top medical centers concur that Erika's only hope for survival at this point is a life-saving liver transplant. Yet, UHC denied coverage saying, "unproven health services is not a covered benefit". Really? Despite the fact that transplants have saved thousands of lives in the U.S. for decades, UHC refers to transplant as "unproven". Science, medical technology, and thousands of transplant recipients across the country, including The Sheepdog, prove otherwise.

The Sheepdog has seen a lot in his time, but the way UHC treated this woman and played GOD with her life, stringing her along for months, may be the most cold hearted thing I've heard of an insurance company doing. I suspect others have experienced similar agony, though.

Proceed With Caution

Today, the ones of us who voted for Trump are at a minimum relieved while some are thrilled and celebrating. If you supported Clinton, then you're probably a little down, maybe even pissed, but the one thing all of us can agree on is that we're glad it's over. For the first time in a long time, I won't have to empty my "BS" filter before going to bed tonight.

English: Seal of the President of the United States (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

If you supported Trump, I want to encourage you to not get too excited just yet. He is just one man and try as he might, he cannot fix all that ails the country overnight. It will take time, and he will have to have help. Plus, there are other things to consider, too. For instance:

1. Exactly what are we getting with Trump? Are we getting the Trump who years ago was a liberal? You know, the one who was "pro-choice", supported some gun control, and contributed money to liberal politicians. Or, are we getting the Trump who campaigned for the presidency on much more conservative values? The answer is - we don't know. Only time will tell.
2. Trump smacked the establishment around unmercifully, both Republicans and Democrats. Heck, some of the upper echelon Republicans didn't even support him as the party's presidential nominee. I even heard today where former President George W. Bush didn't even bother to vote for president. So, I'm wondering if the establishment in Congress will even work with Trump in fixing what ails us, which they caused, or if they will just make his life difficult.
3. The Republicans now control the House, the Senate, and the White House. They have absolute power over us, which we have given them, and "Absolute power corrupts absolutely." Will they limit themselves to the powers granted them by The Constitution, or will it be "anything goes"? Will they keep Trump in check, or will they set on their asses like they did with Obama and let him do whatever he wants? House Speaker Paul Ryan said today that Trump had been given a "mandate". When I heard that, shivers went up my spine. It's eerily similar to Lamar Alexander, the U.S. Senator from Tennessee, saying, "Elections have consequences" after Obama won the presidency in 2008. One party with this much power could prove to be very dangerous, folks. Contrary to what some may think, just because it's the Republicans, it doesn't mean they're saints. Some Republicans are just as low-down evil as some Democrats. I know from first-hand experience.

So, I want to encourage all of my fellow Americans, and especially the Trump supporters, to proceed with caution in regards to their post-election celebrations. Don't get me wrong, I am thrilled that Hillary Clinton was defeated, but the fact is we don't know where a Trump presidency will actually take us as a country. We are in uncharted waters. However, I know one place it better take us to, or we're doomed to failure, and that's the instruction of 2 Chronicles 7:14, which says:

If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; THEN (emphasis added) will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land. (KJV).

"Fuhgeddaboudit"

Image via Wikipedia

I'm a big fan of mobster / gangster movies. A few of my favorites are Goodfellas, Casino, and The Untouchables. There's also the classics - Scarface and The Godfather I, II, and III. One reason is the action and the shooting, of course, but another is because these movies always have some great, memorable one liners and quotes. Many of us use some of them at one time or another.

Recently, I've been thinking about some of those one liners. Most of the time it's after I hear a news report about the 2012 race for the White House, or if I see an image of Mitt Romney or hear him speak. Next time the dude's on TV, take a good look at him with his slicked-back hair and slick, shiny suits. Can't you just imagine him using some of the gangster-movie-classic one-liners ? For instance, imagine the following fictional interview :

Interviewer - "So, Governor Romney, when did you first think about getting into politics ?"
Romney - "Ever since I can remember, I always wanted to be a gangster." (Goodfellas, 1990)

Interviewer - "If it's alright, I'd like to ask you some questions about your relationship with some of your fellow GOP candidates. First, let's talk about Ron Paul. How would you characterize your relationship with him ?"
Romney - "Say hello to my little friend." (Scarface, 1983)

Interviewer - "O.k. What about Speaker Gingrich ? If the GOP race was to come down to you and him, what will be your strategy ?"
Romney - "I'm gonna make him an offer he can't refuse." (The Godfather, 1972)

Interviewer - "Let's move on to Governor Perry. He made an initial strong surge in the polls but has since dropped way back. He's attacked your record. Any words of wisdom for Perry in regards to his attacks ?"
Romney - "Leave the gun. Take the cannolis." (The Godfather, 1972)

Interviewer - "Lastly, what about Sen. Santorum ? What's your take on him ?"
Romney - "You know, we always called each other goodfellas. Like, you'd say to somebody - 'you're gonna like this guy ... he's alright. He's a goodfella. He's one of us'." (Goodfellas, 1990)

Interviewer - "Now, let me ask you a bit of a personal question, governor. You've been through a couple of these presidential races. In just a few words, how would you sum up your experiences, and what is it like working with the powers that be in the GOP ?"
Romney - "When they send for you, you go in alive, you come out dead, and its your best friend that does it." (Donnie Brasco, 1997)

Interviewer - "Last question - if you win the Republican nomination, do you really believe you can beat Mr. Obama ?"
Romney - "FUHGEDDABOUDIT !!!!!"

Capisce ??

Related articles

• GOP Undergoes Tectonic Political Upheaval Before South Carolina Republican Primary By HEZI ARIS (yonkerstribune.typepad.com)
• 'Goodfellas' TV Series Lands at AMC (slashfilm.com)
• AMC To Launch 'Goodfellas' Television Show (screencrave.com)
• GOP candidates come out swinging but did they hurt Romney? (capitolhillblue.com)
• Clinton Says Gingrich 'Just Like Romney' (usnews.com)
• Gingrich rising in SC, but in time to edge Romney? (mercurynews.com)

Hmmm ..... this just about says it all

Well ... we know her opinion. Now, give CBS yours. Give Obama a grade for this first year in the White House at CBS Obama Poll.

Obama calls for "Beer Summit 2," Biden THRILLED !!

Last night, the Democrats took a punch in the gut. They stunningly lost the Massachusetts U.S. Senate seat held by the late Ted Kennedy for over 40 years. Shortly after the victory speech by Senator-Elect Scott Brown, a number of newsworthy items occurred :

• Shortly, after 10 p.m. EST, Massachusetts residents felt an earthquake. Sources say it was Ted Kennedy flipping, not rolling, over in this grave.
• Around 10:30 p.m. EST, Mr. Obama announced that "Beer Summit 2" would be held this weekend at the White House in an attempt "to rally the troops and regroup." When asked about the summit, Vice President Joe Biden (pictured right) said, "Did you say beer ...... summit ? Man, I love those things, and Barry really knows how to throw them. I never leave thirsty. Heck, why wait till the weekend ?? I'm ready to drink ..... um, I mean meet now."
• On Wall Street this morning, Anheuser Busch stock "necessarily skyrocketed" as news of the beer summit and Joe Biden's enthusiasm spread like wildfire. One trader said, "It's like a bailout for the beer industry. We love Joe !!"
• House Speaker Nancy Pelosi is missing this morning. Staff members said she left around 11 p.m. EST last night to make the beer run for the summit. Pelosi a.k.a. The Wicked Witch of the West left on her broom after filing a flight plan with the FAA and hasn't been heard from since.

I think it's safe to say this won't be the only Democratic defeat in 2010. The message has been sent. The people have spoken loud and clear. The question is - is Washington listening ??

Mao worshipper Dunn leaving White House

I heard earlier today that Anita Dunn is resigning her position at the White House effective at the end of this month. This is the same Anita Dunn that claimed, "The reality of it is that Fox News often operates almost as either the research arm or the communications arm of the Republican Party." She went on to say that "... the way we (the White House) view it, is that it is more of a wing of the Republican Party." She made both these statements last month as part of the so-called White House "war on Fox News."

These statements were spoken like someone who obviously doesn't have a clue what she is talking about. If you ever watch Fox News, you know that most of their opinion shows are admittedly more identifiable with the Independents and not the Republicans. Furthermore, this is the same Anita Dunn that was recorded saying that one of her favorite political philosophers is Mao Tse Tung - the Communist who had millions of his own people executed !! What the heck was this woman doing in the White House anyway ??

Health Care reform - HR 3200 review, Part 5

It's Friday. Time to finish up the health care bill. Follow along at http://edlabor.house.gov/markups/2009/07/hr-3200-americas-affordable-he.shtml. Today's highlights are :

• P. 900 thru P. 913 line 12 creates the Public Health Workforce Corps (PHWC). Both loans and scholarships will be available for people who sign up to help pay for their medical education. They will have to work for the government in the Corps to pay off the loans. They will also be paid stipends and salaries. The cost to taxpayers - $588 Million. It will be available for doctors, nurses, dentists, dental hygienists, and veterinarians. Yes, you heard right - veterinarians. We, the taxpayers, will pay to train people to care for animals. Apparently, not only has ACORN got its hand in the cookie jar but now PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) and the Humane Society do, too. One other thing - the Corps will include both Regular and Reserve Officers. What is this - the healthcare draft ??
• P. 913 line 13 thru P. 914 creates affirmative action in the PHWC.
• P. 915 thru P. 917 line 8 mandates that health care professionals be bilingual. Is this so they can treat illegal aliens ??
• P. 932 thru P. 937 line 5 creates the Preventative and Wellness Trust Fund by transferring nearly $31 Billion from the Public Health Investment Fund (see yesterday's post). The money will be used to create a national strategy to identify specific goals and objectives for prevention and wellness activities such as diet improvement. Sounds like the government is wanting to control us.
• P. 980 line 5 thru P. 980 line 11 creates a massive government bureaucracy to implement the new public health infrastructure including best practices going forward, grants, and health information systems. When has the government ever known anything about best practices ?? Do we really need or want this "Big Government" ??
• P. 993 line 1 thru line 11 establishes school based clinics.
• P. 994 line 23 thru P. 995 line 2 says the school based clinics will be "integrated" into the school environment. What does that mean, exactly ??
• P. 1001 line 9 thru P. 1002 line 4 establishes a National Medical Device Registry that will require all manufacturers of medical devices (i.e. - pacemakers, insulin pumps, etc.) to furnish the Secretary of Health and Human Services with a list of Americans that have their devices and identifying information (serial numbers) of those devices. Doctors and the manufacturers are already keeping this information for each patient. Why does HHS need it, too ?? More bureaucracy and red tape.
• HHS is gonna keep this medical device information for a number of reasons including for "other postmarket device surveillance activities of the Secretary (of HHS) authorized by this chapter" (P. 1003 line 9 thru line 11). Surveillance ?? What are they gonna do - put a GPS tracker in my pacemaker to track me ??
• P. 1008 line 4 thru P. 1012 line 6 creates grants to health services entities for education expenses for people who want to become nurses due to the nursing shortage. However, the entity MUST meet certain requirements in order to be eligible for the grants. It must offer the nurses benefits required by the Federal government, be unionized, and have partnerships with community organizations. Sounds like payback to unions and ACORN.
• P. 1018 line 6 thru line 19 sets requirements for State participation in universal healthcare.

Well, that basically covers it except for the amendments. I've read a few of them but not all. There are 40, and the very first one is over 1000 pages. I decided to do this series after receiving an e-mail from a friend that outlined many of the items I've listed this week. I included some of those things and added a few of my own that I picked up on when reading the bill. The outline was put together by Mathew D. Staver who is Founder, Chairman, Dean, and Professor of Law for the Liberty Counsel at the Liberty University of Law. I like to verify stuff I read. So, I took the points in his outline, downloaded the bill from the House website, and began reading through it to see if what Staver listed was actually what the bill said. In most cases it was, but in others I did not read it the same way he did. That's one of the biggest problems with the bill. It is so vague and wordy that it can be understood to mean different things to different people. That's what makes it dangerous, too. For instance, the portion from P. 425 thru P. 430 that has caused all the controversy about end-of-life issues and possible euthanasia is a great example. I have read that passage multiple times. In my opinion, it could be about informing someone about their options for dying, and it could also be telling us that we will have to get the government's permission to receive expensive health care in order to live. We might have to justify why we think we deserve to live. Either way, it is a part of our lives that the government needs to stay out of. These things are a personal decision that should be left to us and our families - period.

The other big problems that I have with the bill include the creation of a huge bureaucracy, all the mandates which take away choice and freedom, the amount of intrusion into our private lives, the costs that will only increase, and what amounts to political payoffs of IOU's to ACORN and unions.

Some have asked if I believe all the stuff I've mentioned this week will come true. The truth is I do not know. The scary part is that with the way the bill is worded it is all possible. Lastly, we've heard recent news reports where the White House has asked for people to inform them of any "fishy" e-mails they receive regarding health care reform. Basically, they want Americans tattling on each other. In fact, Fox News has reported cases where Americans have received unsolicited e-mails from the White House that they received because they believe they were reported. It's very possible that my blog has been reported to the White House by someone at sometime this week. Am I worried about it ?? No, not at all. After fighting a brutal 11-year battle with heart disease and surviving a heart transplant, I don't scare to easily. The blog is my way of serving my country and I will continue doing it for as long as the Lord sees fit to give me a breath and a pulse.

P.S. Today, I am celebrating the 2 1/2 year anniversary of my heart transplant. I am thankful everyday to be alive and I pray I have many more.

WARNING - Do NOT Click on Cars.gov - the Cash for Clunkers website !!! Watch video.

Shocking isn't it ?? A few days after this story ran on Glenn Beck's show, the White House announced it was removing the screen that contained the wording that granted the Federal government unlimited access to your computer. However, they have not said whether they will or will not be spying, as the terms on that screen said. I believe this invasion of privacy is a violation of the 4th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution which says :

"The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized."

Some say this was all perfectly legal under the 4th Amendment because the screen in question contains an oath or affirmation and describes the persons or things to be searched. However, they forget that the 4th Amendment also says the search and seizure MUST be reasonable and there MUST be probable cause. There is NO reasonableness or probable cause associated with this search and seizure - period. The only reason the Obama Administration pulled the incriminating screen is because it got caught with it's hand in the cookie jar. They need to be held accountable.

P.S. I had promised a post on H.R. 3200, the health care reform bill, today. However, the bill is so massive I have decided to do a complete and thorough series on it next week. Stay tuned.

P.P.S. In the video Glenn Beck mentions Obama's Czars. I'll tell you about them in a couple of weeks.