41The Lovell Chronicle I January 14, 2010 www, LovellChronicle.com
Health care is a threat to
my citizenship
Boy, am I dumb! I have had a golden
opportunity to make sure that the Senate
heard my voice, and I blew it! Here I was,
thinking that because our senators, Mike
Enzi and John Barrasso, were voices of
reason in Congress, I didn't need to wor-
ry so much about how they were voting. I
ignored the other senators sent by other
states.
What didn't sink into my thick skull was
that members of the Senate have the prefix
"United States" in front of their title. U.S.
Senator - not just State A or State B Sena-
tor. Although each one is elected by their
respective states, they are U.S. Senators,
Diane
Badget
View from the
soapbox
and that means that they answer to all of us, not just to those
who sent them to Washington. Decisions made by U.S. Sena-
tors affect the entire U.S. - and U.S. spells us.
Our Christmas gift from the Senate was passage of the Reid
health care bill. Ho, ho, ho. It wasn't passed on its merits. Much
of it was done behind closed doors, and this supposedly "bi-
partisan legislation" excluded the minority party. The 60 votes
they needed were obtained by subversion, threats, dirty deals
and blatant bribery. Senator Landrieu (D- La.) got $300,000 in
exchange for her vote, and she was not one bit embarrassed to
admit it. Senator Joe Lieberman (I-Conn.) had serious reserva-
tions about the bill that were miraculously resolved when his
wife's position as the ambassador for the Susan B. Koman for
the Cure Foundation was threatened.
And then there is the Ben Nelson (D-Neb.) deal. How do you
feel knowing that in perpetuity Wyoming will be covering the
Medicaid difference for the state of Nebraska? Yep, that's how
they got his vote. They promised him that Nebraska would be
exempted from future new Medicaid payments and there would
be an easing of the excise tax on Blue Cross and Blue Shield
in Nebraska, among other things. Who do you think ultimately
pays for that vote?
They want to hold the final debates to meld the House and
Senate versions of this mess in secret. They want to prevent
C-Span cameras from covering the process and finish the entire
bill behind closed doors. There are taxes in the two versions of
the health care bill that haven't seen the light of day yet. This is
the transparency that we were promised?
The House bill contains a provision, which, in addition to
fines and tax penalties for citizens not buying health insurance,
also calls for the possibility of jail time for non-compliance. I'll
admit that I slept through civics class more than once during
high school, but I don't think I would have dozed off during the
class that discussed requiring us to purchase anything to retain
citizenship• If that provision remains as written, we could be im-
prisoned for avoiding the penalty tax for not purchasing health
insurance. The charges would be either a misdemeanor or fel'
ony, depending on the degree. Please show me the section of
the Constitution that allows Congress to single out an individual
citizen and assess a penalty tax on him!
Use me as an example, assuming the Pelosi provision for
this penalty is in the final bill. If, for some reason, I do not - or
cannot - purchase health insurance, I'll get a notice from the
IRS saying that I have to pay a penalty tax for my failure. If I
do not - or cannot - pay that tax, I can be convicted of a felony
and fined and imprisoned up to 5 years for tax evasion. I guess
that's one way to end up having the government pay for my
health care. And as a convicted felon, I would lose many of my
rights of citizenship - among those the right to own a firearm
and the right to vote. If that doesn't boil down to stripping my
citizenship for not complying with a mandate to purchase some-
thing, I don't know what does.
Where the health care bill specifies income guidelines, they
are based on an individual's gross income. That's income be-
fore taxes. Part of my income is gone before I even see it. My
income, on paper, is not what is actually coming into my house-
hold for paying my bills, buying groceries, filling my gas tank
and clothing my family. I am the only one able to realistically
determine what expenditures my income can support, and I
have to make that determination based on the amount of mon-
ey I actually have - not on what I should have had before the
reds took their pound of flesh. I cant raise my debt ceiling or
add to my deficit• Therefore I could be jailed for knowing better
than the government what I can and can't afford, regardless of
what their guidelines and charts say.
The moral superiority Congress assumes astounds me.
They can make hasty, sweeping decisions about my suitability
to remain a U.S. citizen, dictate my lifestyle, and determine my
financial ability to purchase something, but they can't be held
legally responsible for bribery and threats.
I worry about folks who don't have insurance, too. My own
kids can't afford private health insurance for their families and
I worry about them all the time. If Congress wants to insure
those who aren't currently covered, they could begin by chang-
ing the guidelines to qualify for Medicaid programs. Basing eligi-
bility on real take home pay stubs instead of income before tax-
es would help so many. And make sure that there is a pay stub
to base it on - the people who benefit from the system should
be those willing to contribute to the system. I don't mind one
bit when my taxes provide aid to someone struggling to make
ends meet. But I resent helping someone who has figured out
how to milk the government for every entitlement on the books
and who is content to continue that lifestyle.
The states that are currently bankrupt, or close to it, are
states that have the highest entitlement program rates in the
nation. Learn the lesson, Washington!
If the members who are lawyers would listen to the mem-
bers who are doctors, and to Congress' sole accountant, they
could see the flaws in their lofty ideals• If they would listen to
the majority of the people who don't want this plan, they would
understand the frustration.
But then, silly me. I missed a golden opportunity by pinging
on the wrong senators• You can bet I won't make that mistake
again•
BRIEF
TERROR
Letter to the editor
Holiday care packages
provided Christmas cheer
To our community:
As the commander of Char-
lie Battery, 2nd Battalion, 300th
Field Artillery, ll5th Fires Bri-
gade, I would like to extend the
appreciation of the soldiers in the
unit for more than 500 soldier
care packages.
Thank you for taking the time
to send boxes of personal hygiene
products, food, books and other
items for the soldiers of Charlie
Battery. It is great to know that
you are thinking of us. We were
truly overwhelmed by the out-
pouring of support we received
during the holiday season.
Thanks to your kindness,
every soldier received two care
packages at Christmas. We tru-
ly appreciate your time and ef-
fort sending us these packages.
Your efforts brought warmth and
a holiday cheer to the soldiers of
Charlie Battery.
While we couldn't share this
holiday season with family and
friends, wewere able to share
with each other. Sharing your
well wishes brightened the holi-
day season for all.
We hope you have a wonder-
ful start to the New Year and
look forward to seeing you this
spring.
Respectfully,
Glenn A. Nicholsor/
Commanding Officer
Charlie Battery
Lots of programs .+ _. 1
prod00+00cers and youth "++:+
' year
We have a full agenda of education-
al programs for the new year for produc-
ers and youth. Starting from 1-4 p.m.
On Jan. 20 at Lucille's Caf6 in Meetee-
tse, the Master Cattlemen Program will
be offered. It will run for eight straight
weeks and will help cattle producers
look at options that have helped other
producers in Wyoming manage risk and
maximize profits. This program is taught
by the University of Wyoming specialists
and successful cattle producers from Wy-
oming.
I will be driving up for most of the
sessions and would be willing to give
rides to those wishing to attend. The cost
will be $75. Those needing assistance
with the registration fee, please contact
me.
Private Pesticide Applicator training and re:
certification will take place from 9 a.m. to noon on
March 5 at the Big Horn County Weed and Pest
building located at the junction of Highway 310
near Greybull. Weed and Pest Assistant Supervisor
Brett Richardson and myself will teach this. Pres-
ently, there is no cost for this event. The purpose of
this training is to help pesticide applicators to cor-
rectly apply pesticide at the right time and at the
right rate. ,
March 19 will be our Ag-Expo at the Fairgrounds
in Basin and will run from 9 a.m. to noon. This pro-
gram is for third and fourth grade students in the
county, along with their teachers and supervisors.
Home-schooled students are also welcome.
This has been a very successful program in the
past. The supervising adults and those presenting
Dallen R.
Smith
BHC Extension
Agent
all seemed to have a good time, and I
have appreciated all those that help
with this annual event. Last year we
had one of the school kids watch as the
cow was being milked, and said to their
friend, "I don't get my milk from a cow,
mine comes from the store."
Income derived from agriculture in
Big Horn County is between $80 million
and $90 million, so as you can see, this
is an important part of our local econo-
my.
Sometime during March, we will be
having an Enterprise Budget one-day
workshop. John Hewlett, the presenter,
will be bringing several computers with
which farmers and ranchers will have
the opportunity to work on the budgets
for their operation. We are also planning
on having as many of the local agriculture bankers
that can make it, to help with this program. When
there is a date set, I will be sure to have it pub-
fished. Enterprise budgeting is about the fact that
a rancher and/or farmer can determine what enter-
prise is making him money or what enterprise is
losing him money.
I have had one person express interest in having
a Master Gardeners class here in Big Horn County.
Forty hours of training and 20 hours of service is re-
quired to become a Master Gardener. Anyone wish-
ing to take this class, contact the Extension Office at
307-765-2868, and let us know your level of interest
in taking this class.
The cost of taking the Master Gardener class is
$100. If you plan on becoming a Master Gardener
for others the cost is $200.
Correction [ ++++mEre+E+
DEQ open
burning
letter writer
was Szlemko
The name on the letter to
Sen. Ray Peterson and Rep.
Elaine Harvey about Wyo-
ming DEQ open burning reg-
ulations in Wyoming that
was reprinted in last week's
Chronicle was written by Jim
Szlemko of Lovell. His name
was covered over during com-
position when a headline
change was made.
2008AWARD-WINNING NEWSPAPER
Postmaster: Send address changes to:
The Lovell Chronicle, USPS 321-060
234 E. Main, Lovell, Wyoming 82431
(307) 548-2217
Published every Thursday
Periodical postage paid at Lovell, Wyoming
Editor and Publisher: David Peck
