Vets object to billing private insurance for service injuries & Update

If you think Obama cares who or what group he screws next, as he throws billions away, read on. His latest idiotic idea bears grave notice by every veteran, past and present, as well as every future defender of freedom of this country.

Didn't he even think an injury while in the service would be equal to a Work Comp injury and thus NOT covered by private health insurance anyway? Once again, lay it on the backs of those who served and give more to the welfare recipients and illegals.

This likely won't fly, but it shows how little this man, with no military experience, knows or cares about those who have sacrificed and given so much so he can stand in the place he is now.

By Adam Levine
Pentagon Supervising Producer
March 4, 2009

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Veterans groups are warning President Barack Obama against going ahead with a possible administration move to charge veterans' private health care for service-related injuries.

In a letter sent by 11 of the most prominent veterans organizations, the groups warned that the idea "is wholly unacceptable and a total abrogation of our government's moral and legal responsibility to the men and women who have sacrificed so much."

CNN obtained a copy of the letter sent to the White House last Friday by groups including The American Legion, Disabled American Veterans, Military Order of the Purple Heart, Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States, and Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America. Read the letter (PDF)

A White House spokesman would neither confirm nor deny the option is being considered.

"The details of specific proposals will be transmitted with the full submission in April. The president has made it clear that meeting the needs of veterans is one of his priorities, and as a result has requested an 11 percent increase in discretionary funding for 2010, and the administration is actively working with the veterans community to ensure we get the details of this budget right," said White House spokesman Nick Shapiro.

In the letter, the groups said they have been told by sources on Capitol Hill and at the VA that the idea under consideration would allow the Department of Veterans Affairs to bill health insurance for a treatment of a disability or injury that was a result of military service.

The argument for the proposal is that it frees up money for the VA by charging the private insurers, allowing the VA to spend on more services, said Joe Violante, legislative director for Disabled American Veterans, who opposes the idea. While there could be savings, Violante warned it also could lead to an increase in premiums for veterans with private coverage.

""We cannot and would not agree to any proposal that would expand this concept any further," the heads of the 11 groups wrote in the letter.

"While we understand the fiscal difficulties this country faces right now, placing the burden of those fiscal problems on the men and women who have already sacrificed a great deal for this country is unconscionable."

Currently, veterans' private insurance is only charged when they receive health care from the VA for medical issues that are not related to service injuries, like getting the flu.

Charging for service-related injuries would violate "a sacred trust," said Veterans of Foreign Wars spokesman Joe Davis. Davis said the move would risk private health care for veterans and their families by potentially maxing out benefits paying for costly war injury treatments.

It could also make it harder for veterans to get private insurance if the companies decide to reject them for pre-existing conditions, rather than be billed for service-connected injuries, Davis said.

"This seems like bad politics and bad policy," said IAVA Policy Director Vanessa Williamson, noting that every veterans group opposes it and warns it will adversely affect veterans. "I don't see this as a tenable option."

As an 3-24 update to this, Obama pulled this from the agenda, but had the balls to ask the Veterans Service Organizations to meet with the VA and figure out how to make up the money they would save by taking this off the table! The VSO's did meet with the VA but told Obama it's not their job to decide how to budget items at the VA! Good on the VSO's for standing up for us vets and shame on Obama for even thinking of this in the first place. And, to the new head of the VA...fight harder for the troops...you used to be one of us if you can recall before being a politician! Or does becoming a politician negate all your past history??

Bailing out a Boat with a Hole in the Bottom!

Somehow the government hasn't figured out that you need to plug the hole that the water is flowing through before you start bailing out the boat. In this case it's cash being thrown back into the system, but they haven't plugged the leaks that keep cropping up, and frankly, I see our Washington bureaucrats running amok with wads of cash trying to shore up a sinking ship that keeps leaking more and more.

Obama brought aboard a team of tax evaders and welcomed them with open arms. For God's sake, one of them he even appointed head of the Treasury Department, the people that run the IRS and tax collection! Gaithner didn't pay self-employment tax and the so-called nanny tax, and the IRS even forgave him penalties. How nice, and how unlikely that same scenario would happen to other Americans who are dogged for a few bucks when they make an honest mistake on their tax forms?

An even more disgusting move shows up on TV nightly with actors (I presume in lieu of the actual miscreants) bragging about how they owed the IRS tens or hundreds of thousands of dollars or even millions, and were able to get off by paying little. One brags they owed over a million and payed a tenth of that amount. WTF? And the ordinary guy owes a few hundred and gets slapped with fines and penalties and feels like a criminal? No wonder we're in such deep crap. We're bailing out everyone and Washington gives the nod to doing it. I can understand the logic of "not getting blood from a stone" but to let people get behind a million dollars and then accept pennies on a dollar as a settlement? Where's the watchdogs?

And guess what folks? YOU are paying what they didn't pay! Their free ride, just like the illegals, welfare recipients, AIG execs and the rest of the no-loads is on YOU!

Your taxes will increase exponentially as the administration goes into overdrive giving your tax money away. Many of us won't live long enough to see the eventual bankruptcy of our system, or maybe we will. But our children and grandchildren will. What a helluva legacy to leave them, debt that can never be paid back and a government that runs everything like a socialist republic. Not that it starts off that way but when you have everyone in "programs" it will end up that way.

And we fought and died to get this far, just to watch it all go down the tubes in a short time. Pessimistic? Yup. With a glimmer of optimism that some politicians will stop the madness before we self-implode.

California Tax Refunds and the US Economy

Well, the dumbasses in Sacramento finally reached accord, and we'll soon be seeing our tax refunds. Oh wait...did I say soon? I note the FTB says it could take 25 business days for a refund to get to those who are owed money. That's another 5 weeks, or about the end of April for most of us as I figure it. Yet in another twist of their crooked tongue, they say the March refunds will be made on time. How in hell do they figure that will happen?

Folks, we're in deep kimche in California and the entire country. The tip of the iceberg has just surfaced and under the current Democratic leadership, we're screwed. Everyone wants a piece of the stimulus package but they have no idea who's paying for it! What a bunch of idiots! Where the hell do they think the money is coming from? I can understand the greedy bastards on Wall Street and the Banks and AIG screwing the taxpayers because that's what they do...but good lord, people, get some sense, and recognize you'll be paying this back for generations to come. Your children, grandchildren and those to follow will suffer for this debacle. IF the country as we know it survives at all.

I believe there will be a revolution between parties, a knock-down, drag-out fight in the halls of the legislatures in states and Washington until this is settled. Let's pray it ends there before it's taken to the streets by people who are out of work and out of hope. As unemployment grows and hope for the future dims, the Washington bureaucrats prattle on about a light at the end of the tunnel. What they don't tell you is that the light is at the head of a runaway locomotive and it's going to run your ass over! And the bureaucrats are riding the pork filled train that follows.

Mr. Obama made some big promises but all he seems to be able to do is piss away more and more money every day.

TomTom Comes Through - Tiger Direct Changes Ads

Blogging and phone calls do have an effect on companies and here's an update on what has transpired in just two days since I wrote the entry regarding the GPS navigator.

First, TomTom honored the free map upgrade that was included with the unit. I did have to scan and send a copy of the receipt with the free map guarantee card to them, and they immediately (withing a few hours) honored the free upgrade to the latest maps, So, I can say:

WAY TO GO TOMTOM!
Good work in stepping up to the plate and doing what's right!

As for Tiger Direct, they removed all references to the refurbished TomTom units having the latest maps installed and any free upgrades included. They did this with all models, so it's pretty clear they got the message. They didn't apologize for their error, nor did they offer anything but for me to send the unit back and then refund. I need the unit so that was not acceptable to me; I'd still have to go find another unit in any case, so TomTom saved the day and the GPS. I'm happy with the outcome.

Still, I'd shy away from Tiger Direct and probably not put them on a high place on my shopping list. True, they did fix the problem on their end, but look at all it took. Talking to two customer service people, filling out two forms, (I noted they wouldn't post my review of the unit as it wasn't complimentary...another sign they likely knew of the problem from others, but I made more noise). And, maybe they caught hell from TomTom besides? Plus, the ads were misleading and who knows, could they have been the basis for action by consumer affairs? I have no idea, but in any case I don't have to deal with them again if I don't wish to.

In any event, don't get taken and remember that TomTom did step forward and do the right thing when it counted. Maybe the blog pushed it along or maybe not but they did do the right thing.

Tiger Direct and TomTom GPS Fails to Map Out Promised Deal!

I purchased a Tom Tom ONE XL-S this past week with the text-to-speech feature from Tiger Direct, an on-line mail order vendor. According to their sales pitch, with this refurbished GPS, you get a free map update to the latest maps available. The statement on their site is as follows: (They for some reason are now calling it the TTS, although there is no specific TTS version in Tom Tom's litany of models...so I guess they just wanted to change it to delineate that it is in fact text-to speech. Note the specific text from their ad in red.

"TomTom ONE XL TTS GPS(Refurbished)
Enjoy safe, relaxed and cost-effective driving with the TomTom One XL TTS. And it works straight out of the box! The XL TTS boasts a large 4.3-inch touchscreen for the best possible view, offers easy access to the latest traffic information, and shows the latest U.S. and Canadian maps with details on addresses and house numbers, plus Points of Interest, including gas stations. TomTom also guarantees that if a newer map version is released during your first 30 days using the XL TTS, you can download the new map for free. The TomTom One XL TTS operates on a high sensitivity GPS chipset, has 64MB of RAM, a 1GB internal memory, a 266MHz CPU, and supports Bluetooth 2.0. For safe, relaxed, and economical driving, choose the TomTom One XL TTS."

Here's the link to their full ad: http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=3809124&CatId=3422

After receiving the unit, I attempt to update the maps through Tom Tom. No way. I call Tom Tom tech support and am advised that no refurbished units are allowed to have free map updates, regardless of what Tiger Direct says and to take it up with Tiger Direct since they are wrong in selling the units like this. I further find out that the maps in my unit are over a year old and are Version 7.10 and the new maps are Version 8.25.

I call Tiger Direct and am first disconnected. Then I speak with a very pleasant lady who states that had I read then entire page, Tiger Direct contradicts themselves further down the page with smaller, but in colored text, stating that the maps might be out of date, should be updated, and that each manufacturer has different policies on free map upgrades. Then tell you to check the owners manual, which says nothing about map updates on refurbished units. Hmm, all the while in large print they sell you the unit based on the premise that you're able to update to current maps at no charge. And way down the page, here's the small print:

GPS Maps - Please Note!
The maps pre-loaded on our GPS devices are the most current Maps and Software available at the time of their manufacture. Refurbished, or close-out older model GPS devices may have pre-loaded maps that are not the most up-to-date recent version. You are advised to update your maps after purchase.

IMPORTANT: Each GPS Manufacturer has its own terms, conditions, and availability, for map updates, beyond our control. This may or may not include a fee for map updates - please visit the manufacturer's website, or review your product manual for more information about downloading and updating your pre-loaded maps.

So Caveat Emptor - Buyer Beware!

READ TIGER DIRECT MISLEADING ADS BEFORE BUYING ANYTHING!

Buying a refurbished GPS from Tiger Direct and then having to purchase updated maps is basically screwing yourself, since you can purchase a brand new GPS with new maps and a map guarantee for about the price of the refurb and an update. Plus get a full one year warranty rather than the shorter 90 days.

I'm actually very disappointed as I have purchased from them numerous times in the past and thought they were reliable to do business with. Also, I thought Tom Tom would stand up and help out considering how the economy is going, but alas, their answer was so sad, too bad, we're not going to help either. Then, when companies go down the tubes they wonder how in hell did this happen. They should remember their wonderful customer service and how they shill the customers and fail to stand behind the products they sell.

TomTom dumps thousands or perhaps tens of thousands of their various refurbished models out through Tiger Direct, (and yes, Tiger Direct makes the same claims on each ad for all the various refurbished TomTom GPS models), so you'd expect they would do more than pass the buck. At least make an attempt to mke a customer who has purchased several TomTom units happy, but no...screw the customer, and to hell with what our retailer says in writing. We don't care, says Matt of TomTom customer service, in essence. Deal with Tiger Direct and not with us.

Thus, when you spend your hard earned dollars, think about who really gives a damn about you as a consumer and not just about screwing you out of a buck to sell you an antiquated piece of gear. Sure, Tiger Direct will refund the cost of the unit but I'm the one inconvenienced, have to repack it, shag my butt to ship it back, insure it, as they say they are not responsible for transit damage or loss, etc. Just remember the company who cares about you as a consumer and treats you right, and who gives you service. Who tries to bull sh*t you in their ads and cover it up further on so they can shuffle and shuck like a Carney man. Then spend your money where it helps the honest business and not the business that screws others over.

Finally, when these businesses tank during these bad economic times, send them an e-mail telling them you saw it coming and thanks for nothing. Be sure to tell your friends too!

Thanks!

California Screws the Middle Class...Again, And Again

Wow...did we expect anything less than to get screwed by the State in this budget impasse? Those of you having a decent vehicle will see your annual vehicle tag costs double, while the illegals and the no-load welfare suckers are either driving unregistered vehicles and won't pay anyway, or have crapmobiles that have reached the end of the valuation scale, and also the smog index! Or, we're paying for their every cost so they don't give a damn in any case. And the heavy hitter politicians who make the big bucks by screwing us in the first place won't care, as they have state perks that cover their fuel and vehicle costs, so what the hell. Hmm, so the middle class digs deeper into their wallets to support the Granola State.

Increase income tax on the workers so we can support the no loads and the politicians? Wonderful! That's the most asinine idea yet, because it postulates that most Californians will still have jobs, and the way they run this state, most will be unemployed soon. Business is being run off as fast as they can get out the door, and other states are welcoming employers with open arms and tax breaks, land deals etc. But no, not here. Just tax people more.

I noted no welfare cuts being trumpeted. How could we even think of cutting free programs for lazy ass bastards when we can dump the costs on the working man and woman. Or cut into the free health care through Medi-CAL for the immigrants and illegals and welfare cases when we can't even afford our own health care? God forbid we ever do the right thing and make the no loads get off their asses and work! That's just not politically correct, is it?

Let every politician give up their pay for a year and serve the people for free. That's right, for free. Give them just enough for the basic food and basic shelter like we give the recruit in our military. It's a public service so let them act like it instead of a bunch of pork barrel stuffing, egotistical, greedy bastards. Oh wait, that would be so uncharacteristic, wouldn't it?

Hats off to Abel Maldonado for his vote in getting this mess behind us. He showed courage and deep-sixed the 12 cent a gallon gas tax as well as forced lots of concessions too. Instead of considering a bleak political future, maybe he should be looking to be the next governor?

DO NOT PRESS 1 FOR ENGLISH

My suggestion is when you call for assistance...DO NOT PRESS 1 FOR ENGLISH! PRESS the Key for Spanish...then insist on someone who speaks English! You'll get a US based person because they don't have Spanish speaking workers in the offshore call centers!

Maybe if enough people do this we can bring jobs back home to where we can have English speaking assistance and employ Americans to help us!