PHI is not doing this. They are promoting the view of the Democrats only, just as the unions do. Go to SEIU and see it everywhere: Obama, Obama.

I expect that up next at PHI.
Political action is good. Activism is a huge part of democracy- even though the US is not a democracy it’s a Republic. Similar styles of government though and both allow people to be active.

I say: Check the platforms and read the candidates own web sites for details. I think we’ll all find that both lack anything substantial and meaningful. Because there isn’t anything there that would make any of us jump for joy…

And vote. Vote on your beliefs and values and what’s important to you. For most people health care is an important issue these days. Long tern care of elderly however, is not. Patti is right when she says no one has any interest.

I do feel bad for those who place too much value in politics to get things done. It’s never worked and a lot of people have been playing with the political end of this for years. I have met Senators Grassley, Kennedy and sat before them to speak of the problems with staffing, wages, benefits and poor supervision, yada yada. Not a thing changed. Many others have done the same thing.

I believe wholeheartedly that as a whole society needs to respect it’s elders more…once that happens those who care for them will be seen in a different light. Old people are useless according to many; and old is defined by the movers and pushers as anyone over 60…I’ve read alot lately about how the new age thing works: 50 is yesterdays 60 and so on. I think it’s true. But still older people get little respect.

As for Democrats, Republican- haven’t they all promised to make it all better? Yes they have. But no party, no Congress and certainly no President can make all these changes. Nope. The political will isn’t there- because the cost will be astronomical and Americans will- by and large- reject it. I don’t care what anyone says. NO ONE IS GOING to allow themselves to be taxed in one way or many ways- over half their income. NO ONE. And that’s what is will cost based on estimates NOW…we all know how the government is woefully incorrect at estimates! The actual costs is often three to four times as much.

Politicians tell people what they want to hear. Businesses and groups pander and kiss up to those polcats who they believe will help push their agendas and ideas. Not a one of them seek to make change happen in a real way- through the people, by the people and for the people. As Heather said, it is a VERY tiny segment of our population who require nursing home care paid for by the fed; not at all enough to justify the huge increase in costs it will take to make everyone happy. Even with the baby boomers coming, it’s not going to happen.

PHI is a great group. I do see the slant towards Democrats though and it bothers me. They should be seeking their goals with WHOEVER is in office- and not push party and political views upon those who stand to win or lose in this LTC long list of problems. Same with unions. When they do that, it pushes me away and I want nothing to do with them. The truth can be brutal but it needs to be said.

The Democrats have always failed us. So have the Republicans. This tells me politics isn’t the way to go. Steer clear of it; getting hopes up will only result in bitterness.

Democrats have been fighting for reform for years! They are stonewalled by the Republicans every time. Democrats have been trying to increase wages, benefit mandates and nursing home reform for as long as I can remember. It makes no sense to not do this: Yes, other options should be there, but for the most part older people do not have the means to pay for their own care once they become disabled. Any assets they have must be signed over to nursing homes as a form a pay back- this isn’t fair. These people have worked hard all their lives and don’t deserve this fate.

If the government were to end the war, focus inward and roll back tax cuts, there would be enough money to pay us decent rates, as well as increase funding for more aides, more nurses, better care and better benefits. If this happens, there wouldn’t be a shortage of nurses. Aides would stay in their jobs much longer. A well paying job gets respect from others. The work will never change, but it’s status sure can. Democrats fight for this. Republicans do not.

A national health care mandate would make life better for all. The promise and guarantee of health insurance would take a HUGE load of millions and millions and millions of people. Older people would benefit a lot from this. As would working class people who earn little.

Obama promises a national health care plan which makes sense. It would demand all businesses offer health care insurance without strings attached; no waiting periods and no denials based upon pre existing conditions. Money would be pooled from other less needed programs and, money from the war and it’s waste would pay for it. Taxes would only go up for the very wealthy who wouldn’t even notice the loss! Your average worker would not see a tax hike.

I respect the views of Republicans too- who don’t believe a nation should be responsible for the health care coverage of it’s people. But I totally disagree with this view. Without health care insurance, we’re all vulnerable to death which need not happen.

I would support mandates that require those who chose to do risky things be forced to pay more; smokers for example; overweight for example. Even gay lifestyles. But no one should have to go without health care because they have no insurance. Not CNA’s or anyone else.

For years people have been trying to make change in LTC- in every aspect of it. From the survey process to CNA wages and much more. Looking at it all we see very little has changed. I say- to many chiefs are among the indians.

Very few Democrats have been willing to enter the law making process that would have to occur in order for such major change: On the local level not federal. Why? Because any wage increases must come from the states. The federal government can make all the laws it wants, but it will always be up to each state to put them into force. When it comes to money, states can only draw upon it’s people, who large and small, Democrat and Republican- reject bills that ask for more funding. It’s as simple as that. These people say NO because it means a tax hike for them- usually in the form of property taxes.

Too many people live in a world where they believe the government can save us all from the things that seem unfair or unjust. It pisses me off to no end to know the chain nursing homes get away with paying the aides such pity wages as the owners make huge profit. BUT, this is a free country. The aides DON’T have to work for these places. They are not forced to do so.

Politicians like us to forget this untidy bit of fact. Democrats want the owners to share the fruits of the aides’ labor; Republicans want the investors to earn a good return on their money. Either end, it is all about money.

I think this is part of PHI’s advocacy: To raise awareness of the wage/benefit factor as being a matter of national interest. They want to see owners share more, which is fine with me…as you know…it’s the small town nursing homes owned by local families who will suffer. And the small town owners outnumber the chains 5:1.

My fear is we will be left with nothing but chain nursing homes under a Democratic enforced “reform”; the chains are AWFUL in so many areas we cannot allow that to happen. However, the chains would be allowed to get away with even more under a Republican leadership.

In all my years of doing this work, the only politician who is worth his weight in gold is Senator Grassley. Who has, time after time, stood up for aides, nurses, good care; who has stood up to poor care, chains, ineffective survey processes, all things nursing home.

He is a Republican.