The LuLac Edition #3448, March 13th, 2017

13 QUESTIONS

Our “13 Questions” logo.

1. After 45 days of the Trump administration do you see any improvements in our safety and national security?

Not at all. As a matter of fact I see a great deal of instability at this point. There is misdirected foreign policy initiatives  that are dangerous because they are not focused. The Secretary of State has not spoken to the Press and I’m not even sure there is a strategic plan in place as to how)  we would respond to a crisis. I’m reminded of that old adage that God (at least for now protects babies and drunks. Add America under this crew to that list.

2. Your thoughts on the. GOP plan to reverse Obamacare?

Just plain silly. This new plan is going to hurt the people who elected Donald Trump the most. Those people in the rust belt states who didn’t realize they were even on Medicaid or Obama care will be shit out of luck.
They have eliminated the funding mechanism which will come back to bite them. The reason is if they keep key elements of the act like keeping Pre existing conditions, the higher the deficits will be. Someone will have to pay for it.
Paul Ryan has said that he wants to essentially change entitlements and told Hugh Hewitt on the radio that it would be a victory for Conservatives. Not Americans, but Conservatives.
Plus the Congressional Budget Office estimates that 15 million people will lose health coverage. It’s a great plan if you’re rich. What will happen though in 2018 is the people who voted for Trump and get affected by this will just stay home. And that can help the Democrats.

3. Have you tried the Coke Lite in the green cans?

Yes. I like it very much. It has less calories and has the same taste. I get it at Wegmans.

4. What are your thoughts on Auditor General Eugene DePasquale and his suggestion of marijuana legalization?

He makes a compelling case and given the way things move in Harrisburg, which are glacially, well it will take some time. But I think he is on the right track. Privatization would eliminate competition and crime in the dealer communities. I think it is a non violent crime and if there is money to be had, it should be directed to taking care of some mandates the state is stuck with due to prior bad decisions from both parties.

5. Do you think the opposition of AARP to the Affordable Care Act?

On point. The organization is powerful and makes sense in their presentations to people over 50. AARP said their primary concern is for people who haven’t yet reached retirement age, highlighting one of the biggest problems with the GOP’s plan to use tax credits in lieu of Obamacare subsidies. As proposed, the plan does not offer enough to help older people pay for what would become much more expensive coverage if the subsidies are scrapped. Under the ACA, older Americans can be charged no more than three times what younger participants with same kind of coverage are charged. The new plan would allow insurers to charge older Americans five times what they charge younger participants.
Comparing the GOP plan for tax cuts and a 5:1 age rating with the subsidies now offered under Obamacare, AARP estimates that an unmarried 64-year-old making $15,000 a year -- assuming they live in a state that has not expanded Medicaid -- would see their premiums go up $8,400 a year.
For this reason, AARP calls the bill an “unaffordable age tax,” and says it will have a disproportionately negative impact on poorer, middle-aged Americans.
It is a tax on older Americans and anyone who tells you any different is a Trump supporter getting Social Security or someone who can afford the increase. Now the latter will demonize a minority because they’ll be too cheap to buy it.

6. St. Patrick's Day plans?

Went to St. John the Evangelist Mass on March 4th for the St. Patrick’s Day service. I did not attend the Pittston Parade but stopped off at the Knights Council Home in Pittston later on that afternoon. Did not attend the Scranton or Wilkes Barre Parades but I am planning on attending the St. Patrick’s Day Dinner at the Woodlands for the Friendly Sons of Pittston. I am also set to be on Pa Live this Friday at 4PM.

7. Fasting for Lent?

No meat on Fridays and tyring to go with 2 meals a day instead of one. But it's more symbolic then anything else. 

8. Might be a tad late but any thoughts on the Oscars fiasco?

Stuff happens. The guy who was supposed to be paying attention on the stage wasn’t. He was star struck. When all is said and done, it will be mere footnote in film history.

9. You seem to be very militant on FB and here regarding the new administration. Is your blog becoming a tool for the Democratic Party?

First off, personally for me the Democratic Party has done nothing. So locally I plug GOP candidates as well as Democrats. Now certain politicians have helped friends of mine with constituent issues but that is their job. 
When I found out Donald Trump won, and heard his victory speech, I was impressed. I wanted to give him the benefit of the doubt. Not that I need to defend my criticism of Trump but this is what I said about him the day after his election.
But since then he has disrespected the office of the President He has acted like a big baby and has broken promises as well as showing a personality that is not suited for leadership.
That said, that’s Trump. But his supporters who constantly bring up Hillary Clinton, who tell us their freedoms are being taken away, who tell me Sharia Law will become a reality because we have a Muslim population need to be called out. My mission is to do that by asking simple questions like “why” “how”, “how many?” and dare them to come up with an answer. Most likely they’ll call me names because that’s all they got.
But the fact that this County (The Lu) made it possible for Trump to win is breathtaking given the fact that these older people think Trump will improve their lives. Watch what he does to health care and Medicaid.

10. Best bagel in LuLac land?

Hands down “Bake House” in Kingston.

11. Will the GOP pass a new health care bill?

The House will but it will never get past the Senate. Health care is so divisive an issue that whatever hope Trump has in passing a changing legislative agenda will be next to impossible. It is astounding to me that this new leadership  is repeating the mistake of the Obama administration by focusing on Health Care first.

12. Any theories on the pizza owner from Old Forge that is still missing?

Nary a one. I hope there is a good outcome but I doubt it.

13. What is your opinion when Trump supporters say anti Donald protestors are paid?

That’s silly. Thousands of people were moved by this new administration’s reactionary policies. I always ask those who say a protest march was paying people these questions.
How were they paid?
Where is the proof?
Was it by check or cash?
Who kept track of the cash?
Were they paid at the site or before?
Who paid them?
Where is the paper trail?
How do you coordinate nationwide payment on days when there are protests in major cities across the U.S. and the world?
And if protestors were rallying on foreign soil, were they paid U.S. cash?
Was the cash converted to their currency?
How?
Etc, etc, etc. Here’s my appearance on PA Live last month talking about the protestors.