Where Michael Vass has been

What have I been doing the last couple of days?

It's a question I have been asked by some readers to this blog. And it's a fair question as I have not been as active as I usually am. But I think my long-time readers will understand and appreciate what's been going on.

First of course is my continued work for various clients. I not only run this and my political blog - VASS, but I am also President of M V Consulting, Inc. As such I have been building, maintaining, and developing various websites for several clients. Add to that a bit of consulting about the web and the stock market and things have been hectic in the last week for blogging.

Though I am always open to adding more clients and/or advertisers. These blogs have to be paid for after all.

Then of course there has been a lot of stuff I want to cover for the 2010 mid-term elections. Which is why I have increased my posts at VASS. Like I did for the 2008 Presidential election, I am actively ahead of the curve on the mid-term elections. Currently I am focused on Majority Leadser Harry Reid, Senator Chuck Schumer, and Senator Kritsen Gillibrand - who are all up for re-election.

Add to this the fact that there are few new television shows for a while, and the notable lack in quality and quantity of new movies at this moment. Which leaves mostly tabloid entertainment news - which I do not cover.

Lastly there is the expansion of the gifts and products available for sale. As noted previously, M V Consulting has added the Alchemy line of products to the items we provide you our readers.



Alchemy has been in business for decades, providing the best in English pewter pendants, smoking accessories, earrings, goblets, glassware, rings, and a host of other items. These products are shipped from England to you. They are of the highest quality, and I am happy to be available to provide them to you.

Already we have several pages of products (see the Alchemy at World of Vass link) and will be adding several more. This will allow you to have some essential items for Halloween, Christmas, birthday presents, or just as something for yourself. The line we have selected includes products for men and women alike.





So overall there is no shortage of things that I am working on. But do not hesitate to think that I will always keep abreast of what is going on in entertainment and making you my readers aware. Even with the economic downturn, my foremost goal is to maintain and grow my blogs. But adding advertisers, and increasing sales doesn't hurt either.

Thank you for your continued support of my blogs, the designer clothes at World of Vass, the Alchemy line of products, and of course the advertisers.

Sincerely


Michael Vass
President - M V Consulting, Inc.
718-344-6921
info@vassconsult.com

Sen. Schumer responds to Michael Vass - repost from Mvass.com

***Due to the critical nature of this proposal, and how it will affect every American, I felt it important to post this here as well as at my political blog, VASS***

On August 11, 2009 I sent email and written letters to Senator Gillibrand, Senator Schumer, Representative Hinchey, and President Obama about the proposed Health Care Reform Bill currently in Congress. To date there has been only 1 response, from Senator Charles Schumer.

The entire email from Senator Schumer can be seen in the comments section of the post Asking Sen. Gillibrand, Sen. Schumer, Rep. Hinchey about the Healthcare Bill. This post is a commentary on the response I have received compared to what I asked.

First I want to thank Senator Schumer for responding. On an issue that is so critical to the nation, and so hotly debated, information is critical. I am happy to be able to share his response with all my readers, and the constituents of New York State that Sen. Schumer represents.

As to what I asked Sen. Schumer, I detailed 22 questions that I have found to be among the top questions Americans have about the health Care Reform and how it will affect American lives. Senator Schumer provided me what I believe is a form letter response. That response did not answer even the most simple question I asked,

“Have you personally read and understood all 1000+ pages of the proposed Health Care Reform Bill?”

Worse, the letter sent to me by Sen. Schumer assumes I support the Health Care Reform being proposed, and the public option.

“Thank you for contacting me and expressing your support for increasing access and coverage in health care reform.”

To be clear, I took a neutral stance in my letter asking that he provide answers to questions only.

Sen. Schumer further stated

“I also strongly support the establishment of a public health insurance option which would create a not-for-profit insurance plan, started by the government, which would compete on a level playing field with existing private health insurance plans. Because the public health insurance option would be not-for-profit, it would help to lower premiums and, therefore, exert downward pressure on the premiums of existing insurance plans. This change is pro-consumer because it adds competition to insurance markets, allowing New Yorkers and all Americans one more choice of affordable and comprehensive health insurance.”

It’s a nice pat response. But it does not address the question of why alternatives are not on the table. Like increasing competition by allowing Americans to pick ANY insurance plan in the nation and not just those in their state. Or the question of why any employer would continue to pay increased costs to maintain a healthcare plan (that workers may be happy with) when they can increase funds by dropping healthcare and forcing workers onto the Government plan (which they may not like or want). Or other questions that I directly asked about

“2) Does the current Health Care Reform Bill (HCRB) require any Americans to switch existing coverage to a Government plan? If so how many Americans are estimated to be required to change and where does that estimate come from?

7) Is there a punitive cost to the HCRB? To clarify, it has been stated that those electing not to take the Government plan will incur a 2.5% penalty assessed in their taxes. Is that correct? Is there any additional cost beyond that?

11) Will the American Government have access to private patient information that is currently restricted by law from the Government database?

12) What incentive will private insurers (who employ tens of thousands of Americans) have to compete with a Government plan that is paid for by taxpayers and thus can be run at an annual loss?
15) Will Congress and/or any elected official be mandated to be covered by the exact same Government program as the general public? If not why?

19) Why is there a need to pass the HCRB before the 4th quarter? Already we have seen that immediate passage of the Obama Stimulus package created unforeseen problems, as one example. Why is taking more time to review all aspects of the 1100 page Bill, and it’s most likely effects, counter-productive to the American public?

21) How many of the estimated 47 million people (roughly 12% of all Americans) without healthcare will remain without coverage based on the HCRB, if any?”

Notice that not one of my questions, and there are more, is answered. Not one of the issues that Americans across the globe have raised is covered. Not one reason other than Sen. Schumer says it’s a good idea and that he is working hard is provided.

Now I will not make a conclusion about the response of Sen. Schumer, beyond what observations I have already made. I leave that to you my reader.

Is his response to my 22 questions good enough? Is his answer enough of a reason for you to support the Health Care Reform? Are your questions answered?

I do not know if, or when, any other elected official will respond to my 22 questions on Health Care Reform. I do know that when the mid-term elections of 2010 come up, I will make sure that the several hundred thousand voting Americans that read my posts are reminded of the verbatim response (or lack thereof) our elected officials felt was worthy of giving the public.

In addition, I will be sending another letter to Sen. Schumer. In that letter, which I will provide to my readers on this blog, I will remind the Senator that he failed to address a single concern I mentioned. And that as a voting New York State resident, as well as member of the press, I am deserving of a bit more than what seems to be a form letter that fails to provide any direct or indirect information on one of the admittedly most important issues of our day.

Perhaps Sen. Schumer will respond better on the second try. In addition, I will attempt to contact the Senator via phone.

More as I have details.