Obamacare

The fate of Obamacare will play a big role in the Presidential election, but what about the looming threat of an alien invasion? A new survey by National Geographic found that 65% of Americans believe President Obama could better handle an alien invasion of Earth than Mitt Romney. But Romney will likely tout his credentials in saving Earth from an alien invasion by assuring the American people that he knows some alien spaceship owners.

Mansions transform into parking lots for the AT&T National

BETHESDA, Md. - The world's most famous golfers and an entrepreneurial spirit are turning some of the area's most expensive mansions into temporary parking lots.

While most of the thousands attending the AT&T National, hosted by The Tiger Woods Foundation, are paying $20 for shuttle bus parking at a garage on Rockledge Drive in Bethesda, or $10 at the Montgomery County Fairgrounds, homeowners surrounding Congressional Country Club are charging competitive prices within walking distance of the course.

"We've been doing it for years," says a man who asked to not be identified by name.

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Thinking Of A Reverse Mortgage? Here Are Things To Watch Out For And Some Alternatives

With a large group of Americans at or nearing retirement age -- and with many of them having inadequate savings to last them through retirement -- so-called "reverse mortgages," wherein a lender converts the equity on a home into monthly payments to the homeowner, are being marketed as a financial cure-all to people wondering how they will be able to afford their golden years. But before anyone dives into the reverse mortgage pool, there are some thing worth pointing out.

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Condos Sold Without Owners’ Permission For 1/3 Their Value

Imagine that you've recently purchased a condo for $100,000. The complex where it's located is about 90% rented, and 10% owner-occupied. The complex's owner struggles, and the whole neighborhood goes up for sale in a foreclosure auction. The new owners dissolve the condo association, since they own all of the rentals, or 90% of the homes in the complex. This gives the owners permission to sell the entire complex at once, including what used to be condos. Your proceeds from having your home sold out from under you: $33,000. You still owe the rest of your mortgage, but have nowhere to live. Condo owners in Reading, Pennsylvania experienced this nightmare recently, and there is no legal way out for them.

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OCPD: Tasers Have Been Used When All Else Fails For Officers

OCEAN CITY -- Months after adding Electronic Control Devices, or Tasers, to its crime-fighting arsenal, the Ocean City Police Department (OCPD) has used the device a handful of times this year, including an incident late Tuesday night.

Last October, the Ocean City Mayor and Council approved a pilot program for the acquisition and use of Tasers by the police department and a limited number of OCPD officers started carrying them in February. In the months since, OCPD officers have resorted to the use of a Taser on several occasions and the new tool in the toolbox has achieved the desired results.

“Our officers have used them a handful of times under certain situations and the Tasers have done exactly what they’re supposed to do,” said OCPD spokesman Pfc. Mike Levy. “Tasers have been used in situations where almost all other options have been exhausted and they’ve become an effective tool at our disposal.”

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Department Of Veterans Affairs Seizes Website

The Department of Veterans Affairs is seizing a commercial website that it said defrauds veterans. VA will take over GIBill.com and shut it down. The company agreed to transfer the site to settle an investigation by several state attorneys general. The site is run by a marketing company called QuinStreet. The attorneys general said it defrauded veterans and servicemembers' benefits by channeling them and their GI benefits dollars to for-profit schools that paid to advertise on the site. Kentucky Attorney General Jack Conway said many of the courses offered were more expensive and of lower quality than GIs and veterans could obtain at community colleges. As of this morning, the site carried no display advertising.

Fed Benefits Spared In Tentative Highway, Student Loan Deal

Congressional leaders tentatively agreed on a bill to overhaul federal highway programs and extend student loan interest rates. Federal employees' retirement benefits appear to be spared in the deal. The legislation also allows the Department of Transportation to avoid furloughing 3,500 employees and halting hundreds of thousands of constructions projects. The conference committee is expected to vote on the deal Thursday as a Saturday deadline looms.

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Caption This Photo 6-29-12

Md. State Death Certificate Fees Double July 1

Starting Sunday, it will cost more to die in Maryland.

As part of the budget approved by the Maryland General Assembly in a May special session, the state’s death certificate fees will double from $12 to $24.

It is one of many increases in fees for vital services in the past few years. In 2011, legislators doubled the
state’s birth certificate fee from $12 to $24. According to a report from the Department of Legislative
Services, neither fee had been increased since 2003.

Legislative analysts estimate the increase in death-certificate fees will raise $667,000 this year.

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Washington Post’s "Fact-Check-Gate"

The Washington Post's political "fact-checker" Glenn Kessler offers a curious defense of his Sunday column in which he gave the Obama campaign "four Pinocchios" for telling a "whopper" in an ad that called Mitt Romney a "corporate raider" who had outsourced American jobs, even as new evidence emerged that Romney was guilty on both counts.

After reading Kessler's column on Sunday, I noted that it was published two days after an article on Friday by his Post colleague Tom Hamburger, describing how Romney's Bain Capital owned companies that were "pioneers" in the practice of outsourcing jobs, and one day after a New York Times article on Saturday, detailing how Romney structured Bain's corporate takeovers to guarantee that Bain profited even when the companies failed.

I pointed out that it was Kessler who was ignoring the facts, including Hamburger's front-page article in the Post on Friday. In my view, it was Kessler who deserved the "four Pinocchios."

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Yet Another Government-Backed Solar Company Turns Out The Lights

Another government-backed solar energy company has decided to turn out the lights while still owing tens of millions of dollars to U.S. taxpayers.

Abound Solar Inc., based in Colorado, received a $400 million federal loan guarantee, and borrowed about $70 million of that amount. It now plans to file for bankruptcy and close, according to the Department of Energy, which awarded the loan.

The Energy Department blamed the collapse on the fast-falling prices of solar panels, a factor government officials also cited about a year ago when another loan recipient, Solyndra LLC, shuttered while still owing more than $500 million to the federal government.

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Seventy-Three Percent of American Youth Now Have Insurance Due To Health Care Law

The Supreme Court is expected to rule this week on whether key provisions of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act are constitutional. This law ensures that all Americans can access the care they need at an affordable price.

Obamacare prevents health insurance companies from charging too much or denying coverage to those who pay for insurance but are suffering from painful and long-term “pre-existing conditions” such as heart disease or cancer. It allows people to pay into the health insurance system so that in case of emergency, they don’t have to tap into taxpayers’ wallets to pay for their recovery. And it levels the insurance playing field so that those who thought they couldn’t afford care now don’t have to choose between buying groceries and paying medical bills. Overturning Obamacare would leave insurance companies in charge of whether our fellow citizens can get the care they need or leave millions of Americans vulnerable to poverty or bankruptcy.

As the 32 million (and counting) Americans whose access to health insurance depends on the Supreme Court’s ruling on Obamacare hold their breath, here’s a quick look at the top three reasons why the health care law should remain intact.

1. Millions of Americans under Obamacare have access to affordable quality care who wouldn’t otherwise be covered.

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Bill Aims to Reform Senior Executive Service

Three Washington-area congressmen introduced legislation that will reform the Senior Executive Service.

Introduced by Reps. Jim Moran (D-Va.), Gerry Connolly (D-Va.) and Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), the SES Reform Act of 2012 would increase the pay of SES personnel who receive a performance rating of at least "fully successful." The bill also includes SES performance awards and bonuses in the high-three annuity calculation and establishes an SES Resource Office within the Office of Personnel Management, with the goal of improving the effectiveness and productivity of the SES

"We need to make sure that the Senior Executive Service will continue to attract the best and the brightest from inside and outside the federal government," Connolly said. "With nearly 40 percent of those at the SES level reaching retirement age, we must make sure that federal service remains competitive with the private sector."

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EXTREME HEAT: STAY SAFE, STAY HEALTHY

Wicomico County Health Department Offers Extreme Heat Safety Tips

(Salisbury, MD) Over the next few days, heat indices are expected to soar to over 100 degrees. Health officials are reminding residents to be cautious during these periods of extreme heat conditions. Lori Brewster, Health Officer for Wicomico County is urging residents to “Be diligent about health and safety by staying cool and keeping hydrated.” Individuals, as well as animals, exposed to extreme heat conditions may quickly develop a heat-related illness which can become life-threatening, if not properly treated. Infants, young children, young athletes, obese persons, those older than 65 years of age, and those persons with diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease or a mental illness are at highest risk.

The Wicomico County Health Department is offering these tips to help residents stay safe and healthy in the heat:

Keep hydrated. Drink plenty of cool fluids without sugar, caffeine or alcohol.

Stay indoors and, if at all possible, stay in an air-conditioned place. If your home does not have air conditioning, go to the shopping mall or public library.
Electric fans may provide comfort, but when the temperature is in the high 90s, fans will not prevent heat-related illness. Taking a cool shower or bath, or moving to an air-conditioned place is a much better way to cool off.
NEVER leave anyone, including children or pets, alone in a vehicle.
Know the signs and symptoms of heat related illnesses.
Check on the elderly and those “at-risk” at least twice a day and monitor for signs of heat exhaustion or heat stroke. Infants and young children need much more frequent watching.
Limit using the stove or oven to keep the house cooler.

“Air-conditioning is the number one protective factor against heat-related illness and death” says Lori Brewster, Wicomico County Health Officer. “If your home is not air-conditioned, go to any public facility such as the mall or library to seek relief.”

24 Million EU People Unemployed

New Eurozone unemployment numbers are out – revealing that more than 24 million people in the EU are out of work – the highest number ever recorded. And it shouldn't be too much of a surprise to those familiar with the crippling austerity measures sweeping the continent that those nations with the highest rates of unemployment are the ones that swallowed the austerity pill. Of the five nations with the highest unemployment rates – four of them – Spain, Greece, Portugal, and Ireland – were forced by the EU and the IMF to cut government spending and lay off public sector workers in return for bailouts. Those conditions are clearly not working, as those nations continue to sink deeper and deeper into economic ruin. This same dynamic is being played out in the United States – where states that have embraced austerity on average have much worse economies than states that have increased spending since the 2007 financial crisis. This is all yet more evidence that austerity doesn't work – and the only people who claim it does work are Republicans like Mitt Romney and Paul Ryan who just want to see the economy tank before the November elections.

Let's Settle The Ireton Phone Call Issue Right Here And Now

Since the group from the Daily Times claims they were involved in an alleged phone spoof, I have a way in which this whole thing can be settled.

For the good of the community, how about we get the alleged SPOOFER to call Bryan Russo tomorrow at noon and imitate Mayor Jim Ireton for the entire world to evaluate. He can do his impersonation of Jimmy for 7 minutes and 30 seconds and THAT should satisfy everyone concerned.

Of course we'd have to make sure Jimmy was some place public at the same time. Now, isn't that an easy resolution. Put your money where your mouth is. IF this kid can convince the public he can imitate Jimmy, case closed.

I know who I spoke to on the phone that evening. Now let them prove me wrong. Of course it will never happen because the kid never made the call. Come on kid, call Bryan Russo and fool him and every one else. Do it for the good of the community.

OBAMA WINS; AMERICAN PEOPLE LOSE

The consensus had been that the Supreme Court would overturn Obamacare. Upon the announcement that it was upholding the law, the stock market tanked. My biggest problem with Obamacare is that it was sold to the American people on the false pretense that it would reduce healthcare costs for the average person and would be deficit neutral.

The truth is that the provisions already implemented have made health premiums and copays go up dramatically, as covering kids until they are 26 years old costs money. There is absolutely no doubt that Obamacare will result in the National Debt going up by trillions of dollars. You cannot add 30 million people to the healthcare system and not drive the costs up. Doctors will be screwed as more government bureaucrats and IRS agents run the healthcare system. Care will be rationed. Only rich people will get excellent service. Why would any bright teenager decide to become a doctor?

Let’s here your opinion. I’m especially interested in our doctor member opinions.

Chamber Of Commerce Political Activities Being Reviewed

New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman is taking a close look at the Chamber of Commerce's political activities.

On Tuesday – Schneiderman issued a subpoena to executives with organizations that have funneled millions of dollars into the Chamber of Commerce under the disguise of charitable contributions, to determine whether or not that money was actually used for political purposes – like running ads against Democrats and lobbying Congress. Conservatives like Karl Rove and the Koch Brothers may have been violating the tax code, claiming tax-exempt status, to shield their donors, while they run blatant political advertising. But now, Attorney General Schneiderman is on to them, and his investigation could blow open the doors of these giant pools of dark money – revealing exactly who is behind at least some of the cash flowing into the 2012 election. Republicans had hoped this issue wouldn't be litigated before the election, so as to keep the anonymous money flowing in and assuming that a Romney administration wouldn't prosecute them, but with Attorney General Schneiderman throwing around these subpoenas, we may well soon see some much needed transparency in our politics. Keep an eye on this one.

Obama Touts National HIV Testing Day, Does Not Include Facts about Highest Risk Group

President Barack Obama issued a statement on Wednesday marking National HIV Testing Day that includes praise for better access to testing because of the Affordable Care Act but does not include facts about the disease and those who are at highest risk of contracting it.

“National HIV Testing Day highlights the importance of HIV testing and the fight against HIV/AIDS,” Obama said. “Of the over 1.1 million Americans living with HIV, more than 200,000 are unaware of their infection, and may unknowingly be transmitting the virus to others.

“The Affordable Care Act now requires many health insurance plans to provide recommended preventive health services with no out of pocket costs, giving millions of Americans better access to HIV testing,” Obama said.

The president did not, however, cite the statistics from Health and Human Services’ Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that show while “gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men (MSM) represent 2 percent of the U.S. population” in 2009 “MSM accounted for 61 percent of new HIV infections.”

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Now Bush Accused in 'Green Stimulus' Madness

Scores of companies have received federal loans and grants from President Obama’s 2009 “stimulus” to manufacture an experimental fuel called cellulosic ethanol, which has not been successfully produced in the

U.S. and might not even work.

The fuel, which is supposed to come from wood chips, was first pushed and funded by the George W. Bush administration.

Despite the fact that no company has been able to produce the fuel, Congress previously passed a law imposing mandates on oil companies to mix the non-existent cellulosic fuel into gasoline.

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