Obamacare: A US "Breaking Bad" Moment

I am not a huge "Breaking Bad" fan, it's a pretty rough TV show and concept to digest. But with the finale behind us, I see many comparisons between this popular show about addiction and impending Obamacare.

I do know bad and deceitful, and the short- and long-term nightmare that is projected from fully implementing Obamacare is bad. As I recall my brief time living in England and being distraught about having a simple vaccine in a London teaching hospital, I can't imagine what turn the U.S. healthcare system takes next if the law's individual mandate is not delayed or defunded by Congress today.

With more students opting out of healthcare professions due to Obamacare and more businesses dropping employees hours to ensure they don't have to pay for healthcare and/or not hiring more employees at all, I am flabbergasted at the rhetoric and stubbornness coming from Washington and Democrat leadership.

So many in the media (and in the GOP including former presidential candidate Jon Huntsman and Salt Lake Tribune Cornflakes source) are criticizing Senators Cruz and Lee for hurting the GOP Party's chances in future elections when they are, in fact, the only souls in the GOP Senate caucus right now standing up for all Americans including the middle class. 

Huntsman says we must accept the partisan-forced ACA as a done deal, I think that mindset is a big mistake. It's not parts of the bill that are bad, it's the whole 2,700-page enchilada and its subtle deceptiveness regarding freedom of choice and cost woven throughout.

Some Americans choose to sign up for health insurance and some don't. Some go to doctors to prevent sickness and some don't. Do we really want Big Brother walking us to the doctor's office or deciding what service we can and can't get? Because, that is what's coming if we roll over and allow Harry Reid to usher in Obamacare come hell or high water, which he has threatened to do. 

Senator Ted Cruz may have made enemies on both sides of the aisle in D.C. but he made a friend of me and hopefully of millions of other Americans who are able to see through the legislative healthcare travesty that is Obamacare. It's good to know there still are a few political crusaders left willing to put life and career on the line for what is right. 

I don't know about you, but six years of being on an economic roller coaster is enough for me. If Obamacare doesn't get defunded, we might as well say "adios" to this country's superior healthcare system and choice. 

I, like most GOP and Democrats who agree Obamacare is a train wreck, don't advocate doing nothing, (our healthcare systems needs an overhaul), just not this. 

NOBAMACARE!

No way, no how I keep hearing. The American people have spoken but are our politicians listening?! I sure hope so but sometimes it doesn't feel that way.

Contrary to left-wing media diatribe, the country is not evenly divided on this issue but you wouldn't know it if you opened your morning paper. Even in Utah, a conservative state by design, the main daily continues to spout off about Utah Senator Mike Lee and how "insane" he is for pushing a budget that doesn't include funding for Obamacare - how could that be?!  

Where's that sacred civility I keep hearing my left-leaning friends nattering about? Still waiting.

I will tell you how that could be - it's because most of the nation and a majority of America's small businesses are saying HELL NO! I've looked under the covers and this law sucks. Think about it, if Obama's cronies and lobbyist friends don't want to abide by the law, should you?

The new healthcare law was JAMMED down our throats via a Democratic partisan vote back in the first term when no one wanted it. It never passed with bipartisan support and now businesses and individuals are running from it in droves.

Why would they be running you might be thinking, isn't this new healthcare law about a better healthcare environment for all including easier access to medical treatment, more doctors, and better insurance options and better facilities and innovation? Nope, I am afraid the writing on the wall says it's not.

In fact, if you dig a little deeper across the 2,600-plus pages of the biggie-sized ACA, there are so many subtle red (run away now) flags it's dizzying. For instance, take the section on "school loans" (why is this even in ACA again?) that determines what money is given to what student depending on what type of medical practice they choose to specialize in (ouch!). Or, how about the part that ensures businesses are forced to pay fines if they choose a different healthcare plan for employees that doesn't meet Obamacare standards (when did we decide Washington gets to determine voluntary benefits programs?)... and then there are the attacks on American individuals and their current plans, which are either being eliminated or premiums are doubling, because they don't meet Obamacare lofty standards (wait, I can't keep my current healthcare? Why? Didn't you say I could keep my plan if I liked it?! Yeah, they lied.).

The ACA, it appears, is not so affordable after all. If you don't believe me, check out more facts before you throw torches at folks like Senators Mike Lee and Ted Cruz who are OVER taking it lying down and at least have the guts to throw themselves on the line despite the mighty backlash that is the Obama admin. and their minions.

If you are like me, sick of watching the country divided and stuttering economically at every turn (NO 7.4% unemployment shouldn't be the new norm, don't kid yourself), then sign the petition that DEFUNDS this incredibly bad reform law and give let's give smart healthcare reform for all Americans a real try.

Check out www.defunditnow.com and sign the petition along with millions of other Americans including me who know we can do so much better.

Syria: To Strike or Not to Strike

Yes, I do believe, unlike some of conservative media personalities, that the United States should strike. But, there is one major caveat for me if we do. The United States must not strike without a definitive plan and mission in place that's honestly communicated to the American people on a level that won't jeopardize the mission.

Now more than ever, Americans need to to know why we should strike and send our soldiers in harms way. The President needs to share his mission expectations without press secretary hyperbole and innuendo.

Will we embolden the wrong coalitions if we strike? How many embassy workers are at risk? Who really benefit from the strike? Will it be the Muslim Brotherhood, al Qaeda, both, or the democratic, freedom loving Syrians who want to see their country modernize and progress.

While I have weighed this debate over and over in my mind, even at one time supporting the idea of not striking, the recent videos and photos of dead, bagged children and young Syrians lying side by side on death row has convinced me that all civilized, peace-loving nations who can, must get involved to remove Assad and his deadly regime immediately.

What truly frustrates me is how politically calculated President Obama and his trusty advisors have been on the Syrian issue (not to mention other issues: IRS, NSA, Benghazi, and the list goes on). In recent days, I have heard: we must strike...no we will wait on Congress (so I can blame GOP in Congress if my Syrian proposal fails)...we are not sure of the outcome [but hey, what difference does it make now - sound familiar?].  

Look, while no one is saying it out loud (well, maybe a few are), I feel confident the Benghazi debacle was and remains connected to Syria. It's kind of a duh?! Oh, if Americans would only embrace the facts with open eyes, hearts and minds. 

Obama needs to put a viable Syrian "use of force" proposal in front of the military, Congress and U.S. allies — a proposal the civilized world can get behind and support. It must include a definitive endgame, the mission must be clear and Obama must get Americans behind him, even those who don't inherently trust him like me.

The United States is a noble country, albeit seemingly morally and ethically devoid right now, and always has been despite the past and present bad citizens and politicians who have shaped history for the worse. If we go into Syria, we must triumph, there is no other choice.

I listened yesterday to the guest host on the Glenn Beck radio show. He was right, we can't let ourselves get fatigued. It's important to get out and enjoy family, friends and local surrounding and stay fresh and vigilant. While it is critical that we all stay engaged in this battle because our freedom and liberties are at stake, it's essential to stay lucid.

It is true, this fight against terrorism and radical Islam is thoroughly exhausting and at times feels hopeless. Our children are the light and hope, and should always remain the reason that we as a nation and individuals never give up the noble fight that is for and has always been about life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.