2016 – DNC – O’Malley Receives Standing O in South Carolina - The New Face of the Democrat Party

Martin O'Malley - photo Politico (AP)

From the S.C. News Exchangecomes an interesting take on Martin O’Malley and his changes of succeeding in a not so crowded field of Democrats for the 2016 Presidential nomination. O’Malley received several standing O’s in a crowd that once was all Clinton. It is noted that Clinton lost to Obama in that primary given his lack of a brand name.

O’Malley, who lost his Governor’s seat to a Republican in the 2012 sweep, is running against (possibly as no one has accounted) Hillary Clinton. The Washington Post asks Is O’Malley Ready for Hillary?”. One would surmise yes, given the recent events (emails) and the fact that O’Malley is seen a more Progressive than most.

Democrat strategists suggest that although O’Malley’s approval ratings might not have been perfect, that voters tend not to know such information when the candidate is further afield. Poltiico

One thing of interest is his “rain tax” according to the tax foundation – a tax was placed on rainwater, in order to comply with the EPA, the Governor signed a bill which levied a “fee” or tax on businesses and residences based on the amount of area on a piece of property where the rain might not land (parking lots, rooftops, etc.). .(Tax Foundation)

He is the only one to watch, so far, on the Dem team – Hillary will not run, Warren will not run, and that leaves Bernie Sanders. There may be others on hand, but O’Malley’s entrance on the scene (he is similar to the Warren school of tax the billionaires), makes things a bit more interesting.

What if – Court Strikes Down ObamaCare – Ted Cruz has the Answer

There is a big what-if involving the unconstitutional subsidies that are coming from the Federal government to help enroll individuals into the federal health care plan – the case is now in the Supreme Court and may be struck down in June . (See in brief State Lawmakers Keep busy While Supreme court Weighs Obamacare (NPR)

The what if, apparently has no backup plan, save for one written by Ted Cruz, (R-TX), and it is receiving scathing reviews based on partisanship. The Daily Beast article: “Ted Cruz’s Obamcare Substitute He Cares Really” is fraught with vitriol – from jabs at Cruz for being born in Canada, to the short length of his legislation – written as an Act- apparently few pages than the original..

What is wrong with the Beast, and those other publications that picked up on both points in order to jab at Cruz is twofold: one, his birthplace is of little consequence, as he was an American Citizen (or had dual citizenship), as his parent was an American and this disclosed not one individual from becoming President. (See John McCain). Secondly, although the first bill had too many pages to be read even a tenth of the way through before being voted upon, and was fraught with errors, including no separation clause, a huge gaffe which made the entire act stand or fall on any mistakes. There were mistakes, obviously. With Cruz’s bill (here in PDF), it is a 31 page, easily read, and smart option for the government to adopt. (Cruz.Senate.gov).

While those at the Beast cannot fathom purchasing insurance across state lines, it has been proven to drive down the costs of premiums, the lack of mandates on the proposed bill, will also allow individuals to buy coverage at their comfort or needs level. The Bill contains adequate language to cover what the insurers cannot do, which protects the individual rights of the consumer. It is not just a better than nothing piece of work, it is a beginning blueprint for bring back choice to the consumer, with the odd effect of allowing more individuals and businesses to afford insurance in the first place. Ultimately, this would lead to more individuals being covered under private insurers than those currently covered under the new Affordable Obamacare Health Law (a bit of an oxymoron, give the rising premiums due to the current law).

As the 2016 race heats up and the Democrats have little in the way of a bench for the primary, while the Republican bench is plentiful, with a variety of individuals who have a variety of options, there will be, of course, jabs from the right and the left as the winnowing process heading into the primaries for the 2016 general progress. That said, Cruz get’s points for putting together a fairly decent proposal, with protections in place for the consumer, driving down the cost of health care and increasing those covered.

Good for him.

Irrelevant side note:

As the snow is still 3 to 4 feet deep in my yard, and when one more flake falls, or one more record breaking cold temperature is recorded, it is becoming increasingly difficult to become enthused over anything other than board games and avoiding looking out the window, either at the office or at my personal desk. Spring is allegedly rising, and when summer breaks over 2015, one might hope for return of warmth and interest in life in general, and the sport of the political arena.

Somalia Terrorist Group – Al Shabaab Makes Threats Against US Malls – Somalia’s in MN, MA and ME – Locals should be prepared

From CNN News:a video released this week by the Somali Terrorist group, Al Shabaab is calling for attacks on malls in the U.S.. Most of the refugees are located in Minneapolis-1 in 3 refugees to be exact (CBSLocal), Maine, Lewiston, is another destination Somalian refugees recently protested cutbacks to welfare in that state(FrontPageMagazine). While in Springfield, MA the Mayor, Dominic Sarno, has tried to stop the flow of Somalia refugees to that city, given the burden placed on Springfield’s ability to cope with the influx of homeless from across the state, as well as population of 1500 that required assistance. (International Business Times).

One might suggest keeping a close eye on malls located near these cities, given the domestic terrorist possibility – see Boston Bombing in 2013(New York Times). The threat from immigrants from countries known to harbor Islamic extremist, should not be taken lightly as suggested by the FBI in downplaying the danger (politically correct) (CNN>.

With a warning in specific areas where Somalia immigrants are situated, notifying residents and owners of malls, restaurants and other high visibility, soft target areas, would best serve the population and perhaps avoid a major catastrophe. As there is a language barrier (where early 1900’s immigrants were required to learn English, today’s immigrants are not – which should be changed as it leads to an inability to be self-sufficient in this country), it would be difficult for local law enforcement or the local mall police to understand what was a plot to bomb the mall or coffee shop and what was not. These types of fanatics are also not above brainwashing or forcing their children to strap bombs to themselves and blow up markets as the recent Nigerian bombing of a market by a 7 year old girl injured 48(Pulse.ng)

One might suggest ensuring vigilance alert the population in high density immigrant areas to be on watch while dining out or shopping – and the reason why. This may result in stopping a similar 2013 Boston bombing.