I also find Scott Brown to be clever, humorous, witty and engaging.  He either has a great speechmaker or has a natural talent.  He talks about his truck and used it as a moving symbol of ordinariness – much like the log cabin in the 1800s.  Try this out:   

“I’m Scott Brown, I’m from Wrentham, and I drive a truck.”

and this:

“Would you like me to drive the truck down to Washington so you can see it?”

Absolutely brilliant.  Brown was respectful and gracious to his opponents, the Kennedy family and others including President Obama.  Brown’s smart and may not be a classic conservative voice.  But he may be different.  He will be heard from again.  I wish Senator-elect Scott Brown all the best.  BUT…

BUT, there was a report on Morning Joe that by a 3 to 1 margin Americans reject rights for terrorism suspects.  This concerns me greatly.  Brown said in his acceptance speech:

“I believe and I know all of you believe that our Constitution and laws exist to protect THIS nation.  *  *  *  They do not grant rights and privileges to enemies in wartime.  *  *  *  Our tax dollars should pay for weapons to stop them and not lawyers to defend them.”

Let me make myself clear, will all due respect Senator elect Brown, this is a terrible issue to raise.  He is an attorney, he ought to know better.  Brown continues:

“Giving new rights to terrorists is the wrong agenda for our country.” 

They are not new rights; they are centuries old.  They protect all of us.  This issue will surely be used by other Republicans since it worked in one of the bluest states – Massachusetts – and they will probably do well.  But it’s wrong.  Let’s step back and ask what are we doing.  I am reminded of the quote Robert Bolt attributed to Sir Thomas More in A Man for All Seasons (thanks to that rare conservative who is not involved in this demagogy – Judge Andrew Napolitano):

“This country is planted thick with laws, from coast to coast, Man’s laws, not God’s!  And if you cut them down-and you’re just the man to do it-do you think you could stand upright in the winds that would blow then?  Yes, I’d give the Devil benefit of law, for my own safety’s safe.”

If we can give the Devil due process, we can do it for terror suspects.  I reject the idea of a “war on terror” because there is no end to the conflict.  This then by the reasoning of most of my fellow conservatives means there must always be military tribunals in continuous session.  Suppose the next terrorist attack is accomplished by a conspiracy of both domestic radicals and foreign terrorists?  Or criminal gangs paid by Al-Qaeda?  Do we try both in military tribunals?  Then US citizens would then be deprived of their constitutional rights.  Do we want that?  American jails may one day be filled with conservatives or libertarians or evangelical Christians.  To paraphrase our newest Senator, we can do better!  We libertarians must find opportunities to explain that this rights issue is a necessary one to do.  Liberty and rights for all!

Here is the Post’s analysis on Jindal:

If Barbour and Daniels form the ranks of old pros, there are young pros rising within the ranks. The youngest is Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal, who has been on a fast track all his adult life. He had a terrible introduction to the nation this year when he was picked to give the GOP response to Obama’s first speech as president to a joint session of Congress.

But appearances can be deceiving. Jindal has a considerable intellect and a command of many of the policy issues that will be front and center in the next few years, including health care and energy. Whether he can prove himself on a national stage still isn’t known, but he could give Republicans fresh ideas and a platform from which to test them.

Although the Speech was mentioned (Boo!), it was admitted that Gov. Jindal is smart and has some experience/training in hot-button political issues such as health care and energy.  I think Jindal’s personal energy and accomplishments in Louisiana will help him. 

Another pro-Jindal item is his “fast-track” resume.  This is the main reason I am fascinated with Governor Jindal.  Remember that list of potential 2012 GOP Presidential candidates several months ago?  the one with the best resume (state cabinet official, university system president, federal sub-cabinet, Congress and governor) is the youngest one:  Bobby Jindal. 

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970203946904574300482236378974.html

Sandy

Now, let’s recap.  Roberts shows up for the interview in attack mode, using left-leaning statistics
from left-leaning groups, backs them with Kos talking points – and even attempts to implicate
Jindal for failing, federally mandated health-care programs that predate his term as governor. 
And Jindal crushed him for it.

One wonders if Roberts was expecting Kenneth the Page.

The article is great and worth reading.  This is CNN’s take on it.  The Governor was articulate on this
issue as exhibited from the CNN dialogue.  Roberts tried to make the statistic of 119 million people
in the government plan sound alarmist but Jindal answered it like this:

Roberts: But they also say that as few as 10.1 million may leave for government-run health care
depending on how the plan is formulated. That 119 million was the upper level and even the
people who wrote that report said that’s a worst case scenario.

Jindal: But you’re talking about the same government that’s paying for health care, regulating health care, now competing. It’s going to be taxpayer subsidized. By their own estimates they say because the government will be shifting costs to the private sector, they’re going to be underpaying providers.
They’ll be able to undercut their competition until they drive the competition out of the marketplace.

Because it’s taxpayer-backed, you know that they’ll have a lower cost of debt. They will be able to
artificially shift costs. That’s what happens today in Medicare and Medicaid. That’s why you’ve got
even Democratic legislators concerned. What happens today with Medicare and Medicaid is they
underpay, shifting costs to the private sector. You’re going to have a government-run plan doing the
same thing. They’re going to be artificially able to drive the private sector out of competition…

I’d say Jindal was great here.  As my other political hero, Cong. Ron Paul, said in a 2008 debate:  Those who said [Iraq] would be a bloodbath are the same ones who said it would be a cakewalk and that it would be paid for by oil. 
Those who say the health plan will produce a surplus and will not cause private plans to fail are making the same sort of promises – and have a vested political interest in seeing their side win.

Everyone should be required to purchase a minimal level of health care insurance. Twenty somethings don’t want to pay for health insurance that they may not use, but if they have an accident they want society to pay their medical bills.

The only way to pay for this coverage is through a general tax. It’s a scary thought but a minimum VAT tax to cover this minimum coverage is the best of all bad choices. The downside is its WAY too easy for additional VAT taxes to be raises to cover other nonsense items. Remember what happened to Lottery proceeds? Actuarial analysis will determine the VAT rate. All funds must stay in the pool and are invested like any other health insurance company premiums. Stopping Benefit Creep which killed Social Security must be vigorously defended.

I would like this minimal health care coverage which has a payment co-pay and a small deductible to be run by an insurance company. I don’t care which one. The insurance company would do a better job of administering such a program than any government agency.

The coverage would include preventative health care and the genetic lottery diseases which a person has no control over. Life style tax credits and penalties would be instituted.

A REASONABLE payment schedule which compensates doctors and treatment centers for services provided is necessary. The rate schedule needs to be published. In addition, a cap on “pain and suffering” malpractice judgments is needed.

Like Medicare, a person can buy additional coverage beyond the basic coverage.

Insurance companies must live up to the spirit of reimburse medical expenses & can’t drop a person because the person finds out they now have cancer.

The simpler the program guidelines, the better chance the program will succeed. Simple programs reduce the social engineering.

What are your thoughts? Share them in this open forum…

Another positive blog is found at GOP12:

Whether by attrition or his own political ambition, Jindal is primed to reappear as a national political figure.

We’ll see how it goes over next several days.  But it is great to see the Governor in the media pushing his ideas with clever passion.

Sandy

He spoke about inflation in health care and also how the Republicans can fight the Obama care plan.  Governor Jindal is encouraged by the potential defections of conservative Democrats.

But the Governor warned Republicans they must have their own plan – a portable health care plan that can be bought across state lines.  Hold the Dems to their promises!  This bill breaks their word.  The Obama plan also hurts the doctor-patient relationship, too.

It is interesting that the pro-abortion people think that the relationship between the woman and her doctor is sacred and constitutional but there is not a similar general right between the doctor and patient when it is socialized health care on the table.  Governor Jindal recognizes how crucial that doctor-patient relationship is. 

Catch it three hours from now!  Great interview!  Sean Hannity calls Jindal a passionate and articulate spokesman.

I will have more details on the Jindal op-ed in Politico but trust me for now – it’s great!  Also read the Cillizza piece in the Washington Post. 

Keep an eye out for the Governor tonight and tomorrow on CNN and Fox!

We will not suspend this blog.  We are unapologetic that Governor Jindal is a wonderful candidate for the White House.  We do not believe this blog is a distraction to the Governor.  I have been trying to promote items and issues that show the Governor in his best light and we will continue to do that.  Governor Jindal does not need to run for President to do that.  He will be remembered in history as the governor of Louisiana who ended the Huey Long era in that state.  He may well need eight years to do that. 

But I personally believe that God called men and women to serve at crisis times in American history.  Look at men like Harry Truman – seemingly coming from nowhere to serve the nation with great distinction.  With Senator Ensign and Governor Sanford’s scandals seemingly taking them out of contention and Governor Palin seemingly suspending national ambitions for a time (I STILL think she’ll be a FOX News evening anchor shortly; my advice for the FOX anchor with the lowest ratings – better get them up now!) that makes it all the more possible that it may be the time for national service.

Jindal is an authority on health care.  It is likely that Obamacare will fail or pass in a limited manner.  Either way, that is an important issue.  There is cap and trade that may be the Waterloo for the liberals.  Obama’s popularity is down, in some states below fifty percent.  (Of course it is still early! I thank the Ace of Spades HQ for that entry!)

My suggestion for the Jindal PAC supporters – go to the Internet – like Ron Paul did.  Form Jindal meet up groups and there are tens of pro-Jindal Facebook groups already.  Start something official – Jindal for Lousiana’s Future.  Promote the Governor.  The time may come.   Perhaps persuade the Governor that it is great for Louisiana for him to help other GOP candidates.  Governor Palin has SarahPAC, as I said in an earlier blog entry, Governor Pawlenty may start a non-profit orgnaization to promote his views and issues.  Governor Jindal might be legally able to do the same.   

We will continue to promote the Governor and also comment on 2012.  Jindal could always be the VP candidate as well as run for President.  If Dan Kyle wants to be a guest blogger here – write us something and send it to us! 

We’ll see you at an election near you!  Don’t forget to help the local/state candidates in your area while we await 2012 or 2016!

Gingrich says that Jindal’s nine page plan in his 2007 campaign was more than most candiates will state:

“Too many candidates barely have nine words on their campaign website. Too few pro-actively talk about how to improve health care.”

Gingrich cites the following factors:

“The Jindal plan’s focus is on how best to achieve and maintain a healthier population. Healthier people are happier, have a higher quality of life, are more likely to work and therefore pay taxes instead of consume them. Healthier people are also far less expensive. Thus Jindal places heavy emphasis on promoting preventive and primary care.

He recognizes that a diverse health care delivery system is best able to meet the needs of individuals. He therefore favors allowing people to buy the type of insurance coverage that can best meet their own specific needs. Our current system, be it Medicare, Medicaid, or your employer’s plan, largely involves you taking what’s offered regardless of whether it is the ideal plan for you.

To deal with the troubled Medicaid program for low-income Louisianans, Jindal suggests four innovative waivers that have demonstrated success in other states. He also appreciates the lessons of Florida’s recent Medicaid reforms that now permit people on Medicaid to select from a menu of private plans that include incentive accounts for healthy behaviors. The early evidence out of Florida is that poor people in the new system are getting better health care at lower cost.

Health insurance can best serve you and your family if it is always there, regardless of your employer or employment status. Jindal’s plan outlines the advantages of portability of coverage. This can be attained by creating a health insurance “exchange” for individuals and businesses to buy and sell the right insurance for them. This exchange would increase the odds of you getting your preferred plan and reduce administrative overhead that adds unnecessary cost.

Promoting transparency is a central theme in Jindal’s message. A recent poll showed that 93 percent of Americans believe they have the “right to know” cost and quality details about their health care provider. There are two websites in the state of Florida, floridacomparecare.gov and myfloridarx.com, that show price and quality metrics for all hospitals in the state and the price of the 100 most prescribed prescription drugs. The state pays a miniscule $200,000 a year to create this powerful sunlight effect.

Health information technology is yet another way to dramatically improve the speed, accuracy, and effectiveness of our health care system. Personal electronic health records and e-prescribing can greatly reduce medical errors that cost up to 98,000 lives per year and billions of dollars in unnecessary injuries. An all-electronic system, for example, would have increased the coordination of care Katrina refugees received when they arrived in new cities.

Finally, Jindal focuses on how best to attract and retain primary care physicians. According to the Kaiser Family Foundation, 85 percent of Louisiana parishes are identified as having a shortage of health professionals. He suggests a tuition reimbursement incentive plan for doctors willing to practices in underserved areas.”

I have great respect for Speaker Gingrich.  He is that rare factor in politics:  A successful intellectual visionary.  I support Governor Jindal because he is also such an intellectual visionary.  I would urge President Obama (if he reads my blog on his Blackberry – please send me a comment!) to seek out Governor Jindal for help with the health care system.  I don’ speak for the governor but that may be an opportunity for bipartisan solutions.  Jindal brings experience from being the Secretary of Health and Hospitals in Louisiana (at the venerable age of 24!) and interest in the field. 

Sandy Sanders