“Judge Halts Flu Vaccine Mandate For Health Workers
New York Health Care Employees Won’t Be Forced To Get H1N1 Vaccine…For Now”
“Health care workers in New York will no longer be forced to get the H1N1 swine flu vaccine, CBS 2 has learned.
A state Supreme Court judge issued a restraining order Friday against the state from enforcing the controversial mandatory vaccination.
The order came as the Public Employees Federation sued to reverse a policy requiring vaccination against the seasonal and swine flu viruses, arguing that state Health Commissioner Richard Daines overstepped his authority.
Three parties – the Public Employees Federaion, New York State United Teachers, and an attorney representing four Albany nurses – challenged the order and for now the vaccination for nurses, doctors, aides, and non-medical staff members who might be in a patient’s room will remain voluntary.
The health department had said the workers must be vaccinated by November 30 or face possible disciplinary action, including dismissal. PEF said it encourages members to get flu vaccinations, but opposes the emergency regulation requiring the vaccine as a condition of employment.
A judge granted a temporary restraining order Friday morning, PEF spokeswoman Debbie Miles said. A court hearing is scheduled for October 30.
New York was the first state in the country to initially mandate flu vaccinations for its health care workers, but many health care workers quickly protested against the ruling. In Hauppauge, workers outside a local clinic screamed “No forced shots!” when the mandate came down at the end of September.
“I don’t even tend to the sick. I am in the nutrition field. They are telling me I must get the shot because I work in a health clinic setting,” said Paula Small, a Women, Infants and Children health care worker.
Small said she would refuse to be vaccinate, worried the vaccine is untested and unproven, leaving her vulnerable. In 1976, there were some deaths associated with a swine flu vaccination.
Registered nurse Frank Mannino, 50, was also angry. He said the state regulation violates his personal freedom and civil rights.
“And now I will lose my job if I don’t take the regular flu shot or the swine flu shot.”
When asked if he’s willing to lose his job, Mannino said, “Absolutely. I will not take it, will not be forced. This is still America.””
“What is 1,000 lawyers at the bottom of the ocean? A good start.”….Is this a joke? Wells
All you need to know about health care reform
What is the current attempt by Obama and liberal Democrats at health care reform all about?
Appeasing their far left core support.
More control over the American people to get votes.
Payback to trial lawyers and other big supporters (refer to contribution table above).
Achieving the goals of far left, socialist, communists who are controlling the party with the goal of redistribution of wealth..
Why do a high percentage of attorneys support the Democrat party? The Democrat party supports big government and that means more work for attorneys. Have you ever noticed the multitude of attorney ads on TV for representation with Social Security matters?
What will it take to really fix health care?
Tort reform. This has to do with medical malpractice lawsuits and insurance and the cost of litigation for doctors, hospitals and pharmaceutical companies. Trial lawyers such as John Edwards have become wealthy at the expense of the American Public. Obama and the Democratic party are controlled by their high contributor law buddies.
Open up health care policies across state boundaries. This is the only area the federal government should control, to allow a basic health care policy to be sold nationwide. If the states want to supplement this, the additional coverage can be taylored by state.
Health care policy portability. This would allow keeping the same policy when changing jobs.
Provide a basic safety net policy for those currently uninsured who cannot afford insurance now. Adding these people to Medicare is one proposal.
SC Representative and patriot Joe Wilson called Barack Obama a liar when Obama addressed Congress and the American people on health care reform. Who was telling the truth?
“Media must expose Obama’s calculated lying, scare tactics”
“Media Research Center President Brent Bozell issued the following statement this morning demanding the media report President Obama’s lies, distortions and exaggerations delivered in his speech on health care reform last night:”
“Barack Obama will not stop committing serial dishonesty with the American people until the media expose his false figures and bogus exaggerations for what they are: fraudulent scare tactics.:
“Last night Obama told a litany of lies. He said the total cost of his health reform would be $900 billion over ten years, but even the government-run Congressional Budget Office found it would cost $1.6 trillion. He claimed his reform would not cover illegal immigrants or abortions, but nothing in any of the Democrat bills requires citizen verification and several organizations including the National Right to Life Committee have shown exactly how federal funds would be used to pay for abortion-on-demand. He knows these are lies and he tells them because he is confident the left wing ‘news’ media will let him get away with it. ”
We have one of the best health care systems in the world. We just need to make some adjustments. We do not need government run health care. From one of the commenters on this blog:
“Write/Right on, Citizen Wells, we do not want govt. healthcare. My mom who came to this country from England is still alive thanks to good medical care here. Her younger sister, who stayed in England, died years ago from breast cancer that she wasn’t treated agressively for thanks to Socialized Medicine.”….maddie
The regulars on this blog may have seen the following videos. However, they provide excellent insight, from a variety of perspectives, on health care reform.
Anesthesiologist Dr. Todd Rubin on doctors demonstrating to have tort reform included in health reform.
Congressman Mike Rogers, Michigan
ABC’s John Stossel Destroys/Pulverizes/Crushes Obama’s anti-American ‘Health Care’ Plan
The most important message from this article:
We must change Congress next year during the 2010 elections.
This will cure a variety of ills and injustices including repeal of a government run or ruined health care plan.
On October 13, 2009, we learned that Maine republican Olympia Snowe stated she would vote yes for the Baucus version of a health care bill. Will the Blue Dog Democrats support a government option if one is embedded?
It does not matter!!!
A frustrated commenter on this blog, after learning of Senator Snowe’s decision, asked what next.
This was my response:
“The answer to our problems is quite simple.
I always go back to the war analogy (which this clearly is a war for our minds and souls).
The Obama camp won a major battle when he stole the election.
They have won a few minor battles and skirmishes since.
However, they have already lost some major battles.
Hopefully this will be clarified in the article.”
Here is some food for thought as you comment on the Citizen Wells open thread for October 14, 2009.
What organization allowed Obama to steal the presidency, ACORN funding, a flawed stimulus bill, Nancy Pelosi gaining power, Harry reid gaining power, mortgage crisis, out of control spending, decline of the US Dollar and a host of other maladies and outrages?
Answer
US Congress.
What organization will have most of it’s members up for reelection next year?
Answer
US Congress.
What organization can remove a usurper president?
Answer
US Congress.
What organization can repeal bad legislation such as a government run health care plan?
Answer
US Congress.
What organization are we going to drastically change next year?
US Congress.
Let not your heart be troubled.
God bless Joe Wilson.
October 13, 2009 late afternoon
“Committee Passes Baucus’s $829 Billion Healthcare Bill
Republican Sen. Olympia Snowe joined Democrats to vote yes on the healthcare reform bill”
“After two weeks of debate and a closely watched examination by the Congressional Budget Office , Sen. Max Baucus’s healthcare bill has, for now, proved resilient. On Tuesday, after several final hours of debate, Baucus’s Senate Finance Committee approved the bill by a 14-9 vote, as Maine Sen. Olympia Snowe, a moderate Republican, joined the committee’s 13 Democrats in voting yes.”
I do not normally link to congressmen’s fundraising efforts. I will make an exception in this case. American hero, SC Representative Joe Wilson, stood up for us when Obama lied before congress and the Nation. We asked for Joe Wilson to not back down and Representative Wilson did not back down. We need more Joe Wilsons.
“In these past weeks I have rattled the cage of liberal Democrats in Washington with my staunch opposition to their big government policies. Now, they are targeting me with everything theyve got. They are running ads in my Congressional District attacking me and are raising millions for my liberal opponent.
Despite their attacks – I will not be muzzled. I will continue to stand arm-in-arm with every patriot in America against their disastrous plot to hijack our nation’s health care system.”
“Dear friend,
In these past weeks I have rattled the cage of liberal Democrats in Washington with my staunch opposition to their big government policies. Now, they are targeting me with everything they’ve got. They have produced ads attacking me and are raising millions for my liberal opponent.
Despite their attacks – I will not be muzzled. I will continue to stand arm-in-arm with every patriot in America to ensure our voices are heard in Washington.
As you may know, Wednesday, September 30 is the end of the third-quarter for fundraising. The amount of money we raise in this quarter will be scrutinized by the liberal mainstream media and compared to that of my opponent who has raised more than a million dollars.
We have set a goal to raise $25,000 by midnight to keep up the fight against the escalating attacks from liberal Democrats and end the third-quarter strong. Will you please watch this video and donate to my campaign today to help us take back Washington?
I have been humbled by the support you have shown my family and me over the past few weeks. The emails, letters, Facebook messages, Tweets and comments I have received have strengthened my resolve to not back down. As the liberal Democrats in Washington continue their attacks on me, I will continue to stand with you and fight for real solutions to our nation’s problems.
But I can not do it alone.
Please, take a few minutes today to watch this video and make a donation to help us reach our goal of $25,000 to take back Washington.
Together, we will take back Washington.
Proud to stand with you,
Joe Wilson
U.S. Representative
Paid for by Joe Wilson for Congress”
“Key Senate Committee Votes Against Government-Run Health Insurance Plan”
“The Senate Finance Committee has voted against creating a new government health insurance plan to compete with the private market.
The 15-to-8 vote could forecast the fate of the public option in the Senate as a whole. The outcome was expected but still a defeat for liberals who view government-sponsored insurance for the middle class as a key component of President Barack Obama’s health care overhaul.
Five committee Democrats, including Chairman Max Baucus, joined with all 10 committee Republicans to defeat the measure by Democratic Sen. Jay Rockefeller of West Virginia.
Opponents said a public option would drive private insurers out of business and amount to a government takeover. Proponents said it would give consumers choice and competition.”
“Democrats remain divided on the need to create a government plan — and Finance Chairman Max Baucus (D-Mont.) is already in the hot seat — accused of being lukewarm, if not downright hostile, to the public option.
Sen. Kent Conrad, D-ND, who has crafted an alternative plan that would set up a series of non-profit health care cooperatives, blasted Rockefeller’s plan, saying, “The devil is in the details.” Conrad said if the amendment is implemented, “every major hospital goes broke.”
“I can’t possibly support any amendment that does that,” he said.
Congressional aides on both sides of the issue say that the public option amendments are not expected to pass out of the Finance Committee. Schumer has called the committee debate a beginning of “a conversation about the public option,” saying, “It gets people thinking.”
Sen. Jeff Bingaman, D-NM, said he could support a public option, but he disagrees with Rockefeller’s approach. “I think there is a problem with providing Medicare reimbursement rates,” Bingaman said, echoing the concerns of Conrad.
As senators continue to spar over the public option, two liberal groups are launching a hard-hitting television and Internet ad featuring a young father from Montana. Bing Perrine, 26, who needs a heart operation and is uninsured and deeply in debt, looks straight into the camera and asks Baucus: “Whose side are you on?”
The ad is sponsored by Democracy for America and the Progressive Change Campaign Committee, which say Baucus is too cozy with insurance and health care interests that have contributed to his campaigns and oppose a government plan.”
“The organization of our press has truly been a success. Our law concerning the press is such that divergencies of opinion between members of the government are no longer an occasion for public exhibitions, which are not the newspapers’ business. We’ve eliminated that conception of political freedom which holds that everybody has the right to say whatever comes into his head.”…. Adolf Hitler
“I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the
Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and
domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same;
that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation
or purpose of evasion; and that I will well and faithfully discharge
the duties of the office on which I am about to enter: So help me God.” Congressional oath of office
Decorum is not mentioned in the oath of office.
This is a warning to Nancy Pelosi, the Democratic Congress and any Republicans that do not get it. We are sick of decorum and status quo. We want you to work for us and not each other. If you need to call the president a liar, and he is, or another member of Congress a liar, to protect the American public, do it. That is your job.
SC Representative Joe Wilson was interviewed on Fox News this morning, September 13, 2009.
“Wilson Defends Outburst, Says He Will Not Apologize on House Floor
Rep. Joe Wilson says he will not apologize again for his outburst during President Obama’s health care address.”
“Rep. Joe Wilson said Sunday that he will not apologize on the House floor for his outburst during President Obama’s health care address, even though Democratic leaders have threatened to formally discipline him if he does not.
Wilson noted that he already apologized directly to the White House after shouting, “You lie,” to the president during his Wednesday address to a joint session of Congress. The outburst triggered a political firestorm, but Wilson told “FOX News Sunday” that Democrats are just “playing politics” by trying to drag out the issue and force another apology.
“I’ve apologized one time. The apology was accepted by the president, the vice president. … I am not apologizing again,” he told “FOX News Sunday.” “I believe that is sufficient.”
Wilson said he would “never do something like that again,” but continued to defend himself.
The South Carolina Republican on Wednesday accused the president of lying for claiming his health care reform plan would not cover illegal immigrants.
“I believe in the truth. What I heard was not true,” Wilson explained Sunday. “I believe (Obama) was misstating the facts.”
Wilson said he felt “provoked” and attributed the outburst to a “town hall moment,” referring to the town hall meetings where constituents frequently shouted out their frustrations over health care reform.”
“Aside from his apology to the White House, Wilson also issued a written statement apologizing for his outburst on Wednesday.
But while House Speaker Nancy Pelosi indicated immediately afterward that Wilson had done enough, Democratic leadership has since decided to seek a public apology from Wilson to his colleagues on the House floor.
If he does not, a resolution to punish him could come as early as Tuesday.”
American patriot commenter, Patriot Dreamer, attended the Washington, DC Tea Party rally on Saturday, September 12, 2009. This is one of many photos supplied by Patriot Dreamer. Thanks for a job well done.
Representative Joe Wilson, as you can see from the photo you have inspired millions of American to speak out. You spoke the truth before the president, Congress and the American people.
Don’t back down.
God bless Representative Joe Wilson for looking out for the American people. We are behind you 100%.
Representative Wilson, the Citizen Wells blog is behind you and will stand beside you, whatever it takes.
From the Media Research Center, September 10, 2009:
“Bozell Challenges Media on Obama’s Health Care Reform Speech
September 10, 2009 10:35 ET
“Media must expose Obama’s calculated lying, scare tactics”
Alexandria, VA – Media Research Center President Brent Bozell issued the following statement this morning demanding the media report President Obama’s lies, distortions and exaggerations delivered in his speech on health care reform last night:
“Barack Obama will not stop committing serial dishonesty with the American people until the media expose his false figures and bogus exaggerations for what they are: fraudulent scare tactics.
“Last night Obama told a litany of lies. He said the total cost of his health reform would be $900 billion over ten years, but even the government-run Congressional Budget Office found it would cost $1.6 trillion. He claimed his reform would not cover illegal immigrants or abortions, but nothing in any of the Democrat bills requires citizen verification and several organizations including the National Right to Life Committee have shown exactly how federal funds would be used to pay for abortion-on-demand. He knows these are lies and he tells them because he is confident the left wing ‘news’ media will let him get away with it.
“Worst still, Obama used these lies to play on Americans greatest fears and vulnerabilities. He warned that more people would die unless we passed his sweeping plan and threatened that our country’s economic pulse would weaken with American businesses closing. And still, the media let him get away with it.
“This must stop. The media must expose Obama’s calculated scare tactics and lying on ‘reform.’ Failing to do so gives him a green light to lie and cry wolf about whatever he wants, whenever he wants. And it will aid in the most radical government takeover ever attempted in America.””
Obama, in his speech to Congress last night, September 9, 2009, attempted to portray the many concerns about his health care plan as lies and misrepresentations. He spoke of bogus claims by talk radio hosts and by politicians that the health care plan would set up panels of bureucrats to kill off senior citizens. At one point in the speech, SC representative Joe Wilson yelled out and called Obama a liar. Wilson apologized.
“While I disagree with the president’s statement, my comments were inappropriate and regrettable,” ” I extend sincere apologies to the president for this lack of civility.”
Representative Wilson, there is no need to apologize. Obama is and always has been a liar. We applaud you for standing up. Stick to your principles. Joe Wilson was pressured to apologize by Republicans and Democrats. Let’s inform these jackasses that they work for us and not an illegal president.
Watch this Youtube video.
“An audience member yells “liar” at Obama during his speech to Congress.
Obama also took a personal swipe at Sarah Palin during his speech.”
The Charlotte Observer, a liberal newspaper that gave Obama a free ride during the election, has finally produced a snippet of journalism, and though not comprehensive, is a start:
“Fact Check”
From AP
Obama: “I will not sign a plan that adds one dime to our deficits either now or in the future. Period.”
THE FACTS: “House Democrats offered abill that the Congressional Budget Office said would add $ 220 billion to the deficit over 10 years.”
(Citizen Wells: This is a huge Obama lie!!!)
Obama: “Nothing in this plan will require you or your employer to change the coverage or doctor you have.”
THE FACTS: “Employers sponsor coverage for most families, and they’d be free to change their health plans in ways that workers may not like, or drop insurance altogether.”
(Citizen Wells: Another Orwellian lie by Obama. Employers will begin dropping health plans and let employees sign up for government plans, thus achieving Obama’s goal of government run health care.)
Obama: “Don’t pay attention to these scary stories about how your benefits will be cut … That will never happen on my watch. I will protect Medicare.”
THE FACTS: “Obama and congressional Democrats want to pay for their health care plans in part by reducing medicare payments to providers by more than $ 500 billion over 10 years.”
(Citizen Wells: Straight out of Nazi Germany and “1984” by George Orwell. Tell a big lie and repeat it often.)
With the liberal Charlotte Observer reporting this much, you can bet that lies about the Obama Health care plan are much worse than this.
Thanks to commenter Army D.A.V. for the video info.
I was fortunate to be at the Vermont State Capitol in Montpelier, VT, today, Tuesday, September 8, 2009, when State Auditor, Tom Salmon announced that he was switching from the Democrat to Republican party. The Citizen Wells blog has posted a longer video coverage of the event and here is an article from Vermontbiz.com that provides more background information on Tom Salmon.
“Vermont Auditor Tom Salmon switches to Republican Party”
“Vermont Auditor of Accounts Tom Salmon, who was rebuffed by the Democratic leadership last spring, announced today that he was switching parties and will join the Republican Party. Salmon won the position of state auditor as a Democrat in 2006 when he beat one-term incumbent Republican Randy Brock. That race saw Brock apparently win re-election in a very tight race, before a re-count gave the race to Salmon by 102 votes. Salmon cited the lack of fiscal responsibility among legislative leaders during the debate over the state budget. Salmon had offered to mediate discussions between Republican Governor James Douglas and the Democratically controlled Legislature, but was turned down by Speaker of the House Shap Smith. He said the Republicans are better able to manage the fiscal matters of the state, as represented by Governor Douglas.
Salmon further said he will likely run for re-election for Auditor, but there is “a 10 percent chance,” he will run for governor or lieutenant governor instead. Several Republicans are deferring their decisions on 2010 until Lieutenant Governor Brian Dubie decides what, if any, position he will run for. Dubie has indicated he is considering a run for governor. Douglas has already stated he will not seek re-election and will not run for any office in 2010. Salmon made his announcement at the State House shortly after 11 am on Tuesday September 8, 2009.
Salmon, 46, has served in Iraq for long tours of duty in the US Navy Reserve while also holding the post of auditor. Thomas M Salmon is the son of the former Vermont Governor Thomas P Salmon, who served from 1973-1977 as a Democrat. The elder Salmon served as a surrogate during his son’s re-election campaign because serving military cannot also campaign for office. Salmon met little resistance in being re-elected last year.
“Vermont Business Magazine conducted a Q&A with Tom Salmon December 2007 with Robert Smith. In that interview he explained why he ran for auditor:
“I ran for state auditor, because as a Rockingham Selectman, I had moved from a simmer to a boil about how fiscal management was occurring in the state. I really didn’t think that anyone was taking responsibility for the fiscal management of the parts of the state. Prior to being a selectman, I go back to December 2005. I’m a Navy Reservist, a Seabee, construction battalion, dirt sailors – we’re never on a ship, so when people see us in our greens they say, ‘Look mommy, it’s an Army man!’ I was in Gulfport, Mississippi, in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. That situation moved me to want to commit to public service. I decided when I came home that I was going to run for the select board in Rockingham. The finances were a mess, the morale was not good, the divisive situation over buying the dam – you were here so you know.””
Here is a copy of the letter Salmon sent to his supporters:
“September 5, 2009
Dear Friend,
It is an honor to serve as Auditor for the State of Vermont. In 2006, I was elected as a Democrat. In 2008, I was re-elected on the Democratic/Republican ticket. 2010 will be different.
I am changing my political affiliation to align myself with the party closest to my core beliefs. It is my belief that the VT Republican party is closest to accepting the realities of our times; and is therefore the party best equipped to manage the very real and troubling economic and social conditions which confront us not only today, but in the coming decade.
As many of you know, in the face of the enormous fiscal crisis, I have sounded the alarm for new thinking, responsible budgeting, meaningful long-term planning and painful prioritization.
When I returned home from Iraq, I witnessed first-hand a budget process rife with deficiencies and dysfunction. There was little balance in the debate.
As a Certified Public Accountant, I recently completed my required Ethics course for re-licensing. The Professional Code of Conduct demands that I act with integrity, objectivity and independence. As Auditor, I have preached that Vermont is on an unsustainable track we cannot tax ourselves out of.
I believe the majority of Vermonters do not want to see tax increases as a consequence of poor planning. However, without major restructuring of human services, corrections management and public education (which together account for some 75% of our expenditures) we are going to find that situation unavoidable. Removing even greater sums of capital out of our job-creating private sector and the budgets of Vermont families will only hasten the ill effects of the current crisis.
We all watch a healthcare reform movement focused on increased access rather than A) addressing the root causes of the problem B) fixing Medicaid and Medicare or C) promoting incentives and personal responsibility. The big losers are our young people, the vulnerable elderly population and the viability of Vermont’s 1778 motto of “Freedom and Unity.”
I am a believer in the America of hard work and “get oneself upstream” with a combination of personal commitment and external support.
I’m not a believer that all of our future tax dollars should go to interest on debt or “education, medication and incarceration.” In the current form of these primarily government-controlled expenditures, this is a path leading to a dangerous imbalance of our “Freedom and Unity.” Economic freedom is an essential component in achieving and maintaining political freedom. Over the more than 200 years of our nation’s founding, too many of our fine soldiers have died for the protection of these freedoms.
Thank you for the opportunity to serve you with full commitment and transparency. I promise to do my best to perform the job Vermonters have elected me to do.
The Citizen Wells blog covered the Senator Bernie Sanders Labor Day speech in Burlington, VT, today, Monday, September 7, 2009. The event was hosted by the Vermont Workers’ Center. Here is the announcement:
“Burlington Labor Day Celebration & Benefit Concert
September 7, 2009 – 12:00pm – 3:00pm
WHEN: 12 noon – 3pm, Monday, September 7
WHERE: Battery Park, Burlington
WHAT: Senator Bernie Sanders will join hundreds of working families for the 8th Annual Burlington Labor Day Celebration sharing in a community potluck, music, street theater and ice cream. This year’s celebration is being sponsored by the Vermont Workers’ Center, a community-based workers’ rights organization who has been building a statewide grassroots organizing campaign called the “Healthcare Is A Human Right Campaign” that over that past couple of years has been redefine healthcare as a public good. There will also be a special tribute to the contributions and struggles of working families from Jennifer Henry, the President of the Fletcher Allen nurses union and United Professions of Vermont/AFT. Music will be performed local Burlington busker John Holland and Rik & Bec, a new local duo of Rik Palieri and Rebecca Padula.
“Labor Day is a day to celebrate and remember both the work we all do day in and day out and the long struggles of working people who fought hard for the eight hour day, for Social Security, the end of child labor and even the weekend,” said James Haslam, Director of the Vermont Workers’ Center. “But more than ever, use should use Labor Day as a reminder that we need to be carrying on this tradition by organizing in our workplaces and our communities. This is a time re-commit to the current struggles for more livable wage jobs, fair retirement, strong and healthy communities, and re-defining quality healthcare as a fundamental human right for everyone.”
BACKGROUND: The Vermont Workers’ Center was started in 1998 as a workers’ rights and social justice organization, and have been involved in campaigns to improve working conditions and win livable wages in hundreds of Vermont workplaces across the state. In 2008, they launched the Healthcare Is A Human Right Campaign to build a statewide grassroots network of Vermonters committed to redefining healthcare policy to establish healthcare as a basic public good for all.
MORE INFO: www.workerscenter.org www.workerscenter.org/healthcare
802-861-4892″
The speech is presented here unedited and without commentary. A followup article will be presented with commentary and analysis. The only comment I will make at this time is that they appeared a little surprised that I was there and that the event had the appearance of being staged. I will also state that I was treated with courtesy for the most part.
Citizen WElls 