Powered by NGP Software.This article gives an overview of Neil, Dr. Burgess, and his defeated Republican primary opponent, James Herford.
Are You Ready for it Yet?
"The economic recession and rising unemployment-plus changing demographics and baby boomers aging into Medicare-are among the factors expected to influence health spending during 2009-2019. In 2009 the health share of gross domestic product (GDP) is expected to have increased 1.1 percentage points to 17.3 percent-the largest single-year increase since 1960. Average public spending growth rates for hospital, physician and clinical services, and prescription drugs are expected to exceed private spending growth in the first four years of the projections. As a result, public spending is projected to account for more than half of all U.S. health care spending by 2012." - Health Affairs, 2/4/2010
For all the clamoring that is being expressed across the nation by some about how the government's efforts to reform health care will increase costs, the actions of the PRIVATE health insurance industry lately are making it clear that this just doesn't wash anymore. Without the government being involved at all, costs are projected to increase this year from anywhere to 10 and 25% by the PRIVATE sector. These increases come on the heels of record profits already raked in by the PRIVATE health insurance industry. Last year in 2009 "the five largest health insurance companies-WellPoint, UnitedHealth Group, Cigna, Aetna, and Humana-took in combined profits of $12.2 billion, up 56 percent over 2008." SOURCE
Read the full article at http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/2723125/health_care_reform_in_a...
If Republicans were confronted with the facts and they answered honestly, I feel certain it would become clear to objective thinkers that the interest of the general public are not what occupies their time. This isn't intended to demonize them; it's just to point out an obvious reality in contemporary U.S. politics.
Both Party's names give a bit of a clue on how their leaders might be inclined to pursue goals related to critical social issues. Democrats, a derivative name of government set up by the Greeks ages ago whereby each individual within the society had an actual say in the issues, tend to focus on a collective need of the people. Republicans, also originating within Greek culture as a representative form of government where people would elect someone to stand in for them on the issues (much like we have today in America) tend to focus on a more powerful, yet smaller constituency. Clearly I take license with this bit of word play, but you get my drift.
Democrats are not innocent of pursuing their own self-interest over real constituent needs or aligning themselves with corporate interests. And though it may not seem clear to some that voting with the interests of a select few from time to time can ultimately benefit the larger population, it IS clear that a recurrent and often unabashed pattern of doing this has developed within the ranks of the Republican party. Many during the Bush/Cheney years followed the lead of Grover Norquist that sought to shrink the roll of government to a point where the private sector could take over, replacing government agencies answerable to the people with corporate boards rooms answerable only to their stock holders.
Neil traveled to Austin last Saturday with the signatures of 793 citizens of Texas District 26 who are ready to return government to the people. Neil filed with Texas Democratic Party for a place on the March 2 Primary ballot, on which he is now confirmed to be the only Democratic candidate for Congress in our district.
Denton County Democratic Party Chairman Neil Durrance announced Friday that he has taken his first step toward a congressional run against U.S. Rep. Michael Burgess, (R) Lewisville, next year. Durrance said he filed a statement of candidacy with the Federal Elections Commission, allowing him to begin raising money for his campaign."It is time for new leadership for the citizens of District 26," Durrance said.Burgess could not be reached for comment Friday.
It looks as though the Democratic Party in North Texas may at last be getting serious about the 26th Congressional District.
Neil Durrance, a former Denton City Council member and the current chairman of the Denton County Democratic Party, has announced that he's filed a statement of candidacy with the Federal Elections Commission preparatory to seek the party's nomination for the U.S. House of Representatives from the 26th District.We can say without reservation that Durrance will be a serious candidate.
This interview introduces the candidate and the purpose of the campaign.
http://thenewsconnection.com/article/Main_News/Local/Denton_attorney_run...
By RICHARD S. DUNHAM
Houston Chronicle
WASHINGTON - The Texas congressional delegation holds an ignominious honor: It has four of the 10 congressional districts with the most uninsured people.
Thirteen of Texas' districts are in the bottom 30.
"It's not something that I'm proud of," said Rep. Al Green, D-Houston, whose district ranks 28th from the bottom.
Not a single Texas congressional district - even the state's wealthiest - ranks in the top half of the list of most highly insured districts.
8 ways reform provides security and stability to those with or without coverage
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