I disagree with Glen Beck. Do you?

Well the tide is turning and Democrats are now starting to turn on each other. Yesterday I reported on how the Blue Dog Democrats were scared that Obamacare would not be fiscally responsible.  Why? Of course over money and influence from special interest groups. The Wall Street Journal says:

"[Blue Dog Democrats] don't want private health insurers to compete with a federally funded plan, and seek to reduce the share of lower-income Americans who would receive health-care subsidies."

According to Paul Krugman the Blue Dogs might be the straw that breaks the camels back if they don't get on board.

The only thing I like about the whole healthcare plan is the public option. If you do not have insurance through an employer, you can always buy it from the government. Here no one will be turned away because of pre-existing conditions or rejected for care. Insurance companies are scared that this public option will run them out of business when in fact it should only promote business. Competition will force insurance companies to shape up or ship out.

Only time will tell if President Obama gets healthcare reform passed. One thing is for sure, the Democrats are starting to crumble. As they turn on each other, power will soon fade.   

Early last week, the Republican Senator from South Carolina had some sharp words for his colleagues and President Obama. Senator Jim Demint said "If we're able to stop Obama on this, it will be his Waterloo. It will break him." So if the Republicans could stop Obamacare from moving forward, they could stop the President, and in fact it would be the beginning of the end for him.

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Like everyone else, I would like to see healthcare for all. The system is so flawed though it could create more mess than needed. The pace at which Congress is trying to pass healtcare is just too fast.  President Obama wants his healthcare reform bill passed before the end of the year because he knows that once the new year rolls around, most of his luster will be gone. Anything as huge as healthcare reform needs to be done while people are still starry-eyed with the President.

It is not only Republicans who are shying away from universal healthcare. There were grumblings from conservative Democrats who say too much money would be spent.

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Concerning large amounts of momney, you can not just shore up $26 billion. Like the last California budget, I am just waiting for this new one to fall apart at the seams. It is really a shame too because so many people are losing services and funding for any number of particular projects. As California will continue to brace for impact in these shaky economic times, lets see if the "leaders" in Sacramento can begin plotting a new course for our state.

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Food for Thought: If we spent $3 trillion in Iraq over 6 years, is it worth spending $1 trillion on healthcare over 10 years?

UPDATE: The first two meetings were a success. Did not make the Thursday night meeting. Did you?

Ever wanted to join the Republican party but didn't know how?

Well this week is your week. The Ventura County Republicans are beginning a new, aggressive campaign to recruit members in cities all across the county. The initiative is being spearheaded by Chris Collier , Executive Director of the local party. The new City Clubs campaign kicks off Monday Night with a gathering at Toppers in Oxnard. It is located at 111 East Gonzales Road. 

Below is a complete list of the events going on this week. Meetings will be taking place in both West County and East County.

The week will wrap up Saturday with precinct walks in each of the cities. So come on out and stimulate the economy at local businesses with some fellow Republicans. Moderates and decline to states are always welcome.

MONDAY- OXNARD
Toppers Pizza
111 E Gonzales Rd, Oxnard, CA
5:30-7pm

TUESDAY- VENTURA
Victoria Pub
1413 Victoria Ave, CA‎
5:30-7pm

WEDNESDAY- NO MEETING, VENTURA COUNTY REPUBLICAN CENTRAL COMMITTEE MONTHLY MEETING

THURSDAY- CONEJO VALLEY
El Torito Mexican Grill
449 N Moorpark Rd, Thousand Oaks, CA
5:30-7pm

FRIDAY- SIMI VALLEY
TGIFriday's
2795 Tapo Canyon Rd, Simi Valley, CA‎
5:30-7pm

SATURDAY:  PRECINCT WALKS IN ALL 4 CITIES! 
9:30AM-NOON

Of course, healthcare for all is a great idea. A great idea in fact. Every single American will be covered and if they ever get sick, then they will be able to visit with a doctor or hospital and be taken care of. They won't be turned away because they do not have insurance.

Yes, a great idea. My problem with universal healthcare though is that it is mandated. If someone does not want healthcare, too bad. If someone can't afford healthcare too bad. You must have healthcare and if you can't afford it, well then the government will just penalize you for not having it.

It would be similar to needing auto insurance in the state of California. First we must have auto insurance, and then we must have health coverage. We already can't talk on our cellphones or text while driving. What next?

Back to ideas, healthcare for all is a great idea. But will it work? Government will grow and so will the beauracracy. I am one who believes in helping the people of our country and I am also one who believes "that government is best which governs least." Universal healthcare will not just be a small growth in government, it will be enormous. The paperwork that comes with all great American institutions will be through the roof. Just imagine the DMV multiplied by 100.

To pay for the system, Congress has proposed that the wealthy pay more to cover the healthcare system. That means the rich people will pay for it. Should they?

As a sign of the times, yesterdays Michael Jackson memorial service takes the cake. To commemorate the pop stars death, a large funeral service was held at Staples Center. Only about 17,500 tickets were sold and distributed. The service was broadcast live on television worldwide and had pretty good ratings.

Well now its the following day and the important question has come up: Who is going to pay for the services?

Well it makes you wonder, why didn't anyone think of this before. Maybe Staples Center could have sold more tickets. There could have been a walk through portion after the service, similar to what happened when JFK died. Just let the mourners pour through and keep going.  Anything else to generate revenue especially with the city of LA and state of CA in such bad shape fiscally.

It shows us why we got into this mess in the first place. We spend before we think. Instead of being on a budget, people do not care. They figure some one else will pick up the tab. I hear that the city is asking for donations from Michael Jackson fans. The evening news said so far less than $20,000 had been donated. Estimated cost for the whole ceremony were put at $4 million. It is going to be a long road before the city recoups that cash.

Back to spending before you think. California needs to implement this idea from the top down. Government needs to be the first to begin to use this mind state. Pork barrel spending is out of control and running rampant wasting our tax payer money. So I say to all of those in Sacramento, THINK BEFORE YOU SPEND. It is our money, we put into the system. Do not waste it on what you think you need. Spend it on what we do need.

After running for Vice President and getting into a public spat with David Letterman, it seems that Governor of Alaska, Sarah Palin, has had enough. On Friday she announced that by the end of the month, she will resign and the Lt. Governor will take over.

There has been differening opinions on the blogosphere as to why Palin would resign, especially with a whole year still left in her first term. And with the small following she developed during her presidential run, why would she quit her office before the next presidential race?

To me, it seems she might have had enough of being in the public eye. Since the election, she became an overnight star. There were inquiries about her daughter becoming pregnant, her past as a model, and of course the SNL skits. All of these and more could have factored in. Maybe she was just tired of it all.

The NY Times published an article Monday saying that mounting legal costs were one of the main factors. Since Palin has been Governor, there were 15 ethics complaints filed against her. Even though all complaints were cleared, the legal fees continued to pile up.

 Will this be the last we see of Sarah Palin?

Well its our favorite time of the year. No not the 4th of July. Its time to pass the budget in California. Maybe it's just my favorite time of the year.

Well any-who. The budget was due June 30. I don't see it being passed anytime soon. Last year's budget took almost the whole year and then what was passed, was rejected on the May 19 by the voters. Democrats are trying to pass taxes in the form of fees and Governor Schwarzenegger says he won't sign anything that resembles a tax. We will see about that. Republicans again stand strong on their call for no new taxes. We will see about that too.

Not to fear though, there are about a dozen other states that are having problems solving their own issues. Unfortunately, California is the one with the worst cases.

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On the sports front, Dodger's all-star Manny Ramirez returns to the line up Friday night against the San Diego Padres. The Dodgers did pretty well in the two month stretch with Juan Pierre filling in for the suspended Ramirez. Pierre excelled and hopes to continue seeing playing time.

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Finfally, if you are in the mood for some fun, here is an article with a lot of events happening around the county this weekend.