Time to Fish or Cut Bait

Opinion

“United we stand, divided we fall.” Where have we heard that before and how many times? Our nation is not united as the media keeps reminding us. But, it’s true! The division began in ernest with LBJ’s Great Society, a socialist scheme supposedly to level the playing field for all Americans to enjoy America’s bounty, skills and ability be damned. Both of America’s political parties couldn’t wait to implement LBJ’s wonderful plan, not because it was Constitutional, but because politicians all wanted to look good to the vast pool of potential poor voters.

The two parties appeared to want to out do each other but, these many years later, we know that the Progressive Left had already suborned the Democrat party and, under the guise of the party of FDR, presumed to undo Americas exceptionalism by introducing multiculturalism, and diversity, change its educational goals to re-cast American history and denigrate its Christian religion. First, they destroyed the black family by their welfare schemes to ensure the enslavement of black Americans to the Democrat party, for ever.

Enter another rub, Affirmative Action, a patently unconstitutionally, wicked scheme that at a stroke, tipped the level playing field to favor America’s non-producers, to the detriment of America’s productive work force. That it was aimed to assist our black population was the noble goal. But, for blacks, It was a “fish or cut bait” scheme leaving the streets littered with failed, unemployable black males without family obligations, income or hope.

Over fifty years later, a new President is returning the rule of law that will make the Constitution work the way it was intended. When our Americans of African descent finally realize this, they will succeed not only as a culture but as successful Americans. Many already have. The fifty plus years of liberalism’s dysfunction is coming to an end, as it surely must.

To be effective, political party’s must also stand united. Their first duty is to the Constitution. But, the Socialist-Democrat party is in disarray. Do they go all in for Marxism or move to the center to challenge Republicans? The Republicans are in disarray because having sipped the wine of political privilege they became intoxicated with their individual power. Now that they have it, they don’t know how to handle it. They are not united because they have lost the trust of their conservative voter base. It’s the Humpty-Dumpty fable in real time.

The bewildered GOP leadership, apparently not yet having fully recovered from the catatonic shock that Trumps election gave them, still believe that because they now hold the reins of government and party discipline in their soft little hands, all Republicans should stand united in supporting their program, you know, the one they talked about for seven years, to repeal and replace Obamacare. Suddenly, they were caught in a lie. They don’t want to replace Obamacare because those same poor voters won’t vote for them, they think.

The GOP has yet to accept that President Trump is now in charge. To the causal observer, the vast sums of taxpayer money paid to insurance companies as cost sharing subsidies by Obama’s Executive Order, were funds not authorized by the Congress as the Constitution demands and are therefore, null and void effective immediately. Trump did it around the GOP Congress and neither the Congress nor Liberal Judges can arrest the stoppage.

If GOP politicians expects to enjoy the support of their voter base, they had better get behind President Trump and stop this silly #Never-Trump nonsense. For individual politicians, its definitely a “fish or cut bait” proposition. America can’t afford any more nonsense.

Rep. Collins: “Speaker Will Keep Us Through Christmas” for Tax Bill

GMFTO, News, Politics

9th Congressional district Rep. Doug Collins (R-GA) spoke exclusively to FYNTV on Friday’s edition of Good Morning From the Office. Collins spoke on a multitude of issues, from the executive actions regarding Obamacare, to his personal crusade for adequate internet service and competition in rural Northeast Georgia. However, his remarks regarding tax reform were quite revealing. According to Collins, Speaker of the House Paul Ryan (R-WI) has informed House members that he will keep the House in session, if necessary, throughout the Christmas recess in order to pass tax reform.

The tax question is asked around the 11:00 minute mark of the FULL INTERVIEW below.

BKP: From the House side, will we get tax reform?

Rep. Collins: Yes. I feel very comfortable, in fact, it is the top priority for us in leadership, and the speaker. In fact, the speaker put us on notice yesterday (Thursday) that he would keep us through Christmas or any other holiday to make sure it gets done this year. It was very disturbing to hear some members of the Senate saying “Well, we gotta negotiate, it may be the first of the year” No. It’s time to get behind the American people, time to get behind the President and pass tax reform. It’s way past due.

ICYMI: House Tax Reform Plan Focuses on US Workers

State & National

ICYMI: House tax reform plan focuses on US workers

WASHINGTON—This op ed by Rep. Doug Collins (R-Ga.) first appeared in the Gainesville Times on November 5, 2017.

Last Thursday introduced Northeast Georgians to what the House, Senate and president have been collaborating on since January: A conservative tax reform bill that makes the first meaningful improvements to the tax code since 1986, when I was a student at what was then North Georgia College and an intern on Capitol Hill.

Since then, time has passed and tax policy has changed, but not for the better. As pundits tackle the details of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, I want my neighbors to be confident knowing what conservatives are doing through tax reform and, perhaps more importantly, why we’re taking these steps.

The legislation the House has introduced focuses on replacing America’s labyrinth of a tax code with a plan driven by fairness, simplicity and opportunity. The IRS has reached its tentacles deep into the pockets of American workers and families to feed a bloated federal government.

I’d like to cut off those tentacles and allow everyday Americans to keep more of the money they earned by the sweat of their brows. I believe that comprehensive tax reform, specifically the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, is the answer to our country’s economic malaise. Our friends across the aisle disagree. Why?

There are two possibilities that explain why someone would oppose President Donald Trump’s call for middle-class tax reform. The person either doesn’t believe that the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act will actually bring relief to families and job creators or doesn’t think empowering working Americans represents a worthy goal.

Those who claim that our tax plan pads the wallets of the wealthy at the expense of middle America already have been refuted by The Washington Post, which investigated claims that this legislation would raise taxes across the middle class. Senate Democrats tattooed their false claims all over Twitter, and even the mainstream media awarded those claims with “four Pinocchios.” In fact, a family of four earning the median annual income of $59,000 would see their tax burden drop by $1,182, from $1,582 to $400.

To use another example with our community in mind, a firefighter with a $48,000 income would move from the 25 percent income tax bracket to the 12 percent bracket and see his standard deduction double from $6,350 to $12,000. Under this plan, his tax bill would fall to $3,872 from $5,173, and he could invest the $1,301 difference in building his own American dream.

Meanwhile, we’ve raised the Child Tax Credit from $1,000 to $1,600 per child and included $300 credits for adult dependents. We’re getting rid of loopholes in the tax code and killing the death tax, which targets family farms and businesses with double-taxation. We’re reducing the corporate rate from an unsustainable 35 percent to 20 percent so that businesses will bring jobs back home.

And I’m inviting you to fact check us. Anyone can read the text of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act and other resources at fairandsimple.gop.

If the Republican tax plan actually does deliver tax relief to middle class filers—and it does—and if it does level the global playing field to allow businesses to close up their shops across the ocean and drop deep roots into American soil, then why would anyone oppose it? Because their objection isn’t practical. It’s ideological.

America’s economy remains the most productive in the world, and the American worker is the foundation of that economy. Conservatives who embrace tax reform want to ensure that hardworking Americans enjoy and invest more of what they earn because we trust them. We recognize that the American worker is industrious and innovative, and that’s what fuels our economy.

Liberals, on the other hand, don’t trust their fellow Americans to make good choices. They believe we have no hope outside of bureaucrats. So their logic demands that they fight to keep control of Americans and their money. Tax reform upsets Democrats because they want to make the government bigger, and they want to use their neighbors’ paychecks to do that.

President Trump and I believe that America’s greatness comes from free people making free choices in a free market. Democrats think its greatness comes from big government. They think Rep. Nancy Pelosi and Sen. Chuck Schumer hold the keys to Gainesville’s success.

In reality, though, Democrats have no hope to offer northeast Georgians because they have no confidence in northeast Georgians (or in most Americans, for that matter). And while the president and Republicans in the House are working to make America stronger, to preserve our position as world leader, liberals want to apologize for what American workers have built and to undermine what their neighbors value.

The last administration tried to spend and stimulate its way to economic success, and we call those eight years the Great Recession. In contrast, conservatives in the House are spending this weekend telling their constituents we recognize that America’s future depends on her workers and families, rather than on Washington.

That’s why our tax reform plan insists that we make our neighbors the agents of their futures once again. We’re offering Americans tax relief today because that’s how we can build a stronger tomorrow.

Doug Collins represents Georgia’s 9th District in the U.S. House of Representatives.

Media Update: Collins Helps House Pass Bill to Protect Medicare Access

News, State & National

Collins Helps House Pass Bill to Protect Medicare Access

WASHINGTON—Today Rep. Doug Collins (R-Ga.) helped the House of Representatives pass H.R. 849, the Protecting Seniors’ Access to Medicare Act of 2017, legislation that would repeal an Obamacare provision that threatens seniors’ access to care.

The Affordable Care Act (ACA), known as Obamacare, established the Independent Payment Advisory Board (IPAB), which can be empowered to cut Medicare spending and services without Congressional or administrative oversight. The ACA designed the board to be comprised of fifteen unelected officials, and the Protecting Seniors’ Access to Medicare Act would repeal the ACA provision that created the IPAB.

“The Obama Administration’s move toward socialized medicine gave the Independent Payment Advisory Board broad power to limit access to Medicare for senior Americans. Concentrating such power in the hands of a few bureaucrats risks our neighbors’ access to care, and the Protecting Seniors’ Access to Medicare Act would correct this flaw by repealing the IPAB. This bill would instead protect seniors’ access to health care and encourage meaningful reforms to make Medicare sustainable. 

“I am thankful for Congressman Roe’s leadership on this issue and am proud to join my colleagues in voting to repeal this dangerous board,” said Collins.

Rep. Phil Roe (R-Tenn.) introduced H.R. 849, and Collins co-sponsored the bill.

Correction: Collins Votes to Extend Chip and Protect DSH Resources

State & National

Collins Votes to Extend Chip and Protect DSH Resources

WASHINGTON—Rep. Doug Collins (R-Ga.) joined the House of Representatives in voting today to extend the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) through 2022 and protect funding for rural hospitals.

The Championing Healthy Kids Act, H.R. 3922, uses offsets to fund CHIP and programs like community health centers while eliminating $5 billion in scheduled cuts to Medicaid Disproportionate Share Hospitals (DSH). The bill includes a two-year extension of funding for Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs), which focus on delivering health care to underserved populations through community-based and patient-centered models.

“The House’s bill would extend the Children’s Health Insurance Program for five years while strengthening the program to help the children most in need of health care assistance. At the same time, it protects resources for northeast Georgia’s rural hospitals. I’m pleased that the legislation put forward by House Republicans charts a more cost effective—and therefore sustainable—path forward for serving some of Georgia’s most vulnerable populations,” said Collins.

At least seven hospitals in northeast Georgia serve residents with the help of DSH funding, including Elbert Memorial Hospital, Fannin Regional Hospital, Habersham County Medical Center, Northeast Georgia Medical Center, St. Mary’s Sacred Heart Hospital, Stephens County Hospital and Union General Hospital.

*The original release mistakenly included Hart County Hospital, which merged into St. Mary’s Sacred Heart Hospital, and North Georgia Medical Center, which should be Northeast Georgia Medical Center. 

Trump, the Boy Scouts and Obamacare

Opinion

Trump, the Boy Scouts and Obamacare.

Because the Boy Scouts wear brown uniforms and listened in their thousands to President Trump address their West Virginia Jamboree, as all Presidents have been invited to do, the mean street media has chosen to compare Trump to Adolf Hitler addressing the Hitler Jungend in support of National Socialism. That’s a mean smear of the Boy Scout movement.

Nothing could more asinine then that clumsy media attempt at political comparison. It’s all visual of course, boys in brown uniforms and a strong leader addressing them. The media’s intent had no other purpose, expressed or implied, then to make Trump look like a fascist dictator and denigrate the Boy Scouts as mere Hitler Youths. That the boys cheered wildly is because they realize Trump was returning to them the very reasons of their oath taking pledges.

The last thing in the world Donald Trump could possibly be is a National Socialist. At the Scout’s Jamboree, we saw no torch light marching, no goose stepping around a massive bonfire, no adoration of happy youths singing the Horst Wessel song, Die Fahne Hoch. As usual Trump delivered his prepared speech with a few personal asides thrown in and the press went ballistic.

Obama was closer to being a National Socialist than Trump ever could be, but Obama lacked that killer instinct to make the final important decisions needed to implement and make stick his National Socialists policies. Remember the videos right after Obama’s first inauguration, of a cadre of young negro boys marching into a room, arms swinging like storm troopers, snapping to attention on command and reciting their oaths declaring their total commitment to Obama? Those boys are now eight years older and are still out there. Doesn’t ISIS do the same with their children, brainwashing them into such a hatred of the West that they’re willing to cut throats, wear explosive vests into crowded streets and kill their enemies as directed? Yes!

Obama offered Americans a plate of socialism, like his Obamacare scheme. He supported it by promises that were all lies then left his political minions (the DNC) to carry the ball in his attempt to fundamentally change America. Obama had two full terms to make it happen and he still couldn’t get it done and now his plans are quickly unraveling at the hands of a potent businessman who recognized socialist crap when he saw it and tells the boy scouts why. Too bad three Republican Senators, Collins, Murkowski and McCain, refused to come along.

National Socialism, aka: fascism, is simply one side of the same Socialist coin. Communism, with slight social variations, occupy’s the reverse side. National Socialism (fascism) permits its citizens to own their homes, farms and factories so long as they grow or produce what the state demands. It is better that the citizens concur because outwardly, all seems serene and in agreement. Failure to do so earns a late-night visit by the States Secret Police.

Communism on the other hand, owns everything, homes, farms, apartments and means of production and doles it out to their citizens, like single payer heart care, according to their needs. The Communist State, in return, demands from its citizens their labor according to their ability. Not a good formula for economic development so State bureaucrats set production goals that must be met. Not a happy place to be, “from you according to your ability, to you according to your need.”  Both systems promise its citizens a happy Socialist utopia. “Comarads, just do what you are told and be happy about it.” They have a secret police too. Trump makes no such claims. He’s a pure pro American capitalist and told the Boy Scouts that. Remember, freedom is the goal, the Constitution is the way. Now go get ‘em! (28Jul17)

Collins Discusses Obamacare Skinny Repeal and Tax Reform on Fox Business

Politics

WASHINGTON—Today, Congressman Doug Collins (R-Ga.), Vice Chair of the House Republican Conference, spoke with Fox Business Network’s Neil Cavuto about the mechanics of an effective repeal of the Affordable Care Act and the need for comprehensive tax reform.

Congressman Collins Votes to Repeal Obamacare, Sending Health Bill to Senate

Featured, Politics

WASHINGTON—The House today passed H.R. 1628, the American Health Care Act(AHCA). The bill repeals the individual and employer mandates of 2010’s Affordable Care Act as well as $1 trillion in Obamacare taxes.

Congressman Doug Collins (R-Ga.) released the following statement in response to the bill’s passage:

“For seven years, I have watched Obamacare afflict my neighbors with soaring insurance costs and narrowing health care options. Obamacare shattered the insurance market, and Americans now struggle first to afford insurance and then to find providers that accept it.

“Obamacare saddled businesses and individuals with mandates that robbed them of their freedom to choose health care options that make sense for them. Our families, our workers and our economy have born the weight of bureaucratized medicine for too long. The American Health Care Act removes that burden and demands compassion for both the healthy and vulnerable, the born and the unborn.

“I have seen the grief that Obamacare has brought to northeast Georgians and have worked for my entire tenure in Congress to repeal this destructive law. Republicans promised to repeal Obamacare, and the House voted to keep that promise today. I agree with the President’s call this week for us to repeal Obamacare now, and I look forward to the Senate’s getting to work on this crucial bill.”

Additionally, this legislation returns to states the flexibility they need to serve their communities. The AHCA provides more generous Medicaid reimbursements for elderly and disabled enrollees while Obamacare prioritized able-bodied individuals over disabled Americans by assigning proportionately more Medicaid dollars to the healthy. It establishes a federal invisible risk sharing program to stabilize insurance markets, lower premiums and protect individuals with pre-existing conditions.

The AHCA represents the first major entitlement reform in U.S. history by ending Medicaid’s expansion while shoring up the program for the disabled and elderly Americans it was meant to serve.

This legislation also defunds Planned Parenthood.

Collins Statement on the American Health Care Act

Featured, News

WASHINGTON—Today the House of Representatives did not vote on the American Health Care Act as part of Republicans’ comprehensive health care reform plan. Congressman Doug Collins (R-Ga.), Vice Chair of the House Republican Conference, is an attorney and Air Force Reserve chaplain representing one of the most conservative districts in the nation. Collins has issued the following statement in response:

I am proud to have stood with President Trump to repeal and replace the law that has hurt American families and replaced their freedom with federal mandates. Yet I find myself frustrated and grieved that so many Republicans refused to act according to their professed principles.

Because I am convinced that human life and dignity deserve fierce protection under the law, I am unable to understand how many of my colleagues allowed political myopia to prevent them from supporting the opportunity to defund America’s largest abortion peddler. Because of the decisions of a few members, we remain mired in a health system that is able neither to care for our neighbors nor to protect unborn Americans.”

Citizens React to Possible Closing of North Georgia Medical Center

News

A bomb is exactly what citizens are calling this information that they say came out of nowhere. With continuing questions of what this means to Gilmer County, FYN sat down with Executive Director of the Greater Gilmer JDA (Joint Development Authority), Chuck Scragg in an interview Wednesday.

As DirectoScraggr Scragg said, the impact of that information and the potential loss to Gilmer County could be quite substantial as losing a $31,000,000 business,  which the hospital as a whole contributes to the county, would be a large impediment on the economy, stating, “in 2006 there were 9,035 jobs in Gilmer County, right now, today, there are 7,200 jobs.” Losing a business is losing jobs.

In a county that is still not recovering from the recession, it will be much harder to entice companies to join and move into Gilmer county with no inpatient care services. Director Scragg said when people visit for business scouting, after seeing potential sites, there are always three things they ask to see in the county; Schools, Downtown Area, and Healthcare Facilities.

While FYN has learned of a non-disclosure agreement covering the leasing or closing of the Medical Center, FYN has continued requesting comments from Piedmont Mountainside about the Transition and Services they would provide for Gilmer County considering there is a deadline of January 27 to contest the issue and the filing of a Request for Determination.

Citizens and employees of the Medical Center both are commenting and responding to this information saying “there are employees there that depend on their job to support their family” and many saying this is the first they have heard of the possible closing. With this being the first information they have received, many are still questioning why they were not informed earlier with the deadline only a week away?

House Speaker David Ralston’s office also released the following statement concerning the hospital via Kaleb McMichen, Spokesman.

Under President Obama’s administration, actions at the federal level have driven up the costs of healthcare including deductibles and premiums of commercial health insurance policies as well as the state’s portion of Medicaid spending.  Unfortunately, many hospitals and doctors across Georgia, particularly those in rural areas, are struggling to cope with these changing financial realities.

As recently as last week, Speaker Ralston has said time and again that maintaining access to high-quality healthcare for Georgia’s citizens is a priority. He remains engaged with stakeholders and is working with them to find the best of available solutions to preserve access to hospital care in Gilmer County.

According to Director Scragg, the Greater Gilmer JDA will be having a Special Called Meeting on Monday morning at 9:00am at the Gilmer Chamber. We at FYN have also received the Agenda for this meeting, one of the major items on the agenda being ‘Review & Action on Hospital DET.’ This is an open meeting for citizens to sit in to listen and participate in a Citizens Wishing to Speak Section.

Listen to the full interview with Executive Director Chuck Scragg below:

 

https://youtu.be/KZueivb0lZg

 

 

 

 

Million Dollar Shortfalls Plague School Board Next Year

Featured Stories, News

Gilmer County School Board faces a $1 million or more short-fall in next year’s budget, according to a presentation give to the board of education this week. (more…)

BOE Broke by 2017?

Featured Stories, News

According to projections presented this week at the Gilmer County Board of Education Workshop, the board’s fund balance will be in the red by 2017. (more…)

Chambliss’ Retirement Roils Senate Run Frenzy

Featured Stories, News

Georgia Senator Saxby Chambliss (R) announced this morning he will not run again in 2014. (more…)

A Step Backward or Forward? Georgia’s Unemployment Ticks up to 8.6 Percent

Business, Featured Stories

Just as Georgia’s economy seemed to be improving, the most recent report from the Georgia Department of Labor seems to prove otherwise. (more…)

Collins Back From Washington Visits East Ellijay

Featured Stories, News

Fresh from his first week in Congress, Ninth District Congressman Doug Collins (R) returned to East Ellijay last week, convening with constituents at Poole’s BBQ. (more…)

Deal: Georgia Will Not Set up State Exchange

Featured Stories, News

Governor Nathan Deal issued the folowing press release today regarding the insurance exchange requirement of the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare)
See press release below: (more…)

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