Dude, What Happened To My Country? (With Apologies to HotAir)

Warning: This post may contain information of a political nature. Those of you who wish to keep your blood pressure in the normal range or do not have a vomit bag nearby might consider returning tomorrow.

Dude, what happened to my country?


Claudia Cowen, writing on Foxnews.com,  reported on a new provision in the health care bill that requires small businesses with more than 20 employees to provide health care to their workers. Apparently, this has been taking place in San Francisco restaurants for over a year. Customers in these restaurants pay either a flat fee or a percentage of their check as a surcharge to cover the cost of health care for waitresses, bus boys, and cooks. In some restaurants patrons do not mind this additional charge. In others, business is hurting. San Francisco mayor Gavin Newsome enthusiastically supports the plan, claiming that it keeps restaurant employees out of emergency rooms and on the job.

"Businesses get the benefit in the back end," Newsom is reported to have said.

Apparently, the customers will get it in the back end, too; although, I’m not counting it as a benefit. My wallet is getting lighter every day under this administration. It’s just one more reason to eat at home if you live in the Bay area.


The Guerrilla Homeschooler linked to a Greta Van Susteren interview with Senator Lindsay Graham concerning the student loan provision of the new health care reform law. Did you know that student loans were a pivotal point in solving the health care crisis in this country? The federal government will no longer allow banks to make student loans. All loans will come from the government. Why? According to Senator Graham, congressional Democrats and the current administration believe that “the banking system doesn't work, that the private lenders ought to be taken out of the equation, no private sector entity should make money sending kids to school.” Instead, the federal government will make money sending kids to school. “They're lending money at 6.4 percent, [while] we're borrowing it at about 2.6 percent.” The 3.8 percent difference is profit for the federal government. Apparently, it’s alright for the government to make money off of student loans, just not private enterprise.


Can any explain to me how this is any different from Hugo Chavez’ take-over of private businesses in Venezuela?


Lastly, Drudge linked to a KOMOnews.com article titled “Mother furious after in-school clinic sets up teen's abortion.” Ballard High School in the Seattle School District facilitated an abortion for one of its students without the consent of the parents, without even informing them that the abortion was taking place. Once again we see government officials replacing parental rights and responsibilities with their judgment. Still, public schools officials do not seem to understand why more and more people in this country simply do not trust them. Homeschooling is growing larger and larger every year, although I predict that at some point during this current administration there will be an attempt to make homeschooling illegal. Just look at ICE’s effort to overturn a judge’s decision to grant asylum to a German homeschooling family. If only they were so diligent with our foreign bretheren who do not attempt to enter the country legally.  I cannot help but wonder if the principal of Ballard High School would be happy if it was his daughter getting the abortion without his knowledge, facilitated by the staff of her high school.


Hey, school administrators, listen up - my children are my children. They are not the property of the state.  Keep you hands off!