Sat AM Thoughts

The evidence against and criticism of the Common Core standards continues to mount.  It's as I noted months ago, "follow the money."  Many individuals, companies, and foundations have profited greatly from the money that has willy-nilly been handed out in the name of "quality education."  It's been a strange gathering of bedfellows, Democrats and Republicans, but the glue has been the same--money and lots of it. Here, Michelle Malkin offers a good recap, including a number of points you've seen here over the past year or so:  http://www.humanevents.com/2013/09/20/jeb-bushs-latest-common-core-snit-fit/  And, anecdotally, I've spoken with more than one teacher who has admitted some of the things now being required of teachers has already produced undesirable results, namely more paperwork (that is, useless paperwork) and more testing (including computer-based tests given to students who haven't been trained on computers!).

And, in a way, I feel vindicated.  A few months ago I blogged that members of Congress should also be required to participate in the health exchanges of ObamaCare.  I was told by several people that, indeed, they are.  Well, that's not so, at least not according to a US Senator I heard last week.  I believe he is from Louisiana.  He emphasized that President Obama signed a special rule, through the Office of Personnel Management, in August that permits this:  members of Congress can designate themselves and/or members of their staffs to opt out of ObamaCare or, if they remain in, are reimbursed for the extra costs of keeping their old coverage.  And, he stressed, if other Americans, that is, you and me, have higher health insurance costs, we aren't reimbursed. This, too, was the gist of a letter I received from one of our Michigan Senators, although it was cloaked somewhat to make it seem that members of Congress are just like us.  Yeah, right.

In this same vein, I came across a guy who bought minimal health care coverage for his three sons and himself.  It included a very high deductible, he electing to gamble on his family maintaining good health and staying injury-free.  It was his choice.  I believe ObamaCare refers to this as "bronze coverage."  The man said he paid $330 a month, something he chose to do for his boys and himself.  His premiums, according to his last billing, rose to $960 a month!  That's almost triple.  There was a letter, complete with the ObamaCare/government regulations, that explained the increase.  Yep, the President was right:  "You can keep your current health insurance."  He neglected to add that the cost would triple.

I know, I know, "But Bush lied."  I hope everyone is enjoying Dancing with the Stars, American Idol, college football, and the NFL......