Guest blogged by Jon Ponder, Pensito Review.
No fanfare. George Bush vetoed this one in private:
President Bush vetoed legislation Wednesday that would have expanded government-provided health insurance for children, his second slap-down of a bipartisan effort in Congress to dramatically increase funding for the popular program.
It was Bush’s seventh veto in seven years – all but one coming since Democrats took control of Congress in January. Wednesday was the deadline for Bush to act or let the bill become law. The president also vetoed an earlier, similar bill expanding the health insurance program.
The Associated Press says that of the 43 million uninsured people nationwide, over 6 million are under the age of 18, which is almost 10 percent of all U.S. children.
Democrats plan to extend the current State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) program, as is, into next year and then force Bush to veto the expansion again during the election campaign.
Preznit blush signed it while singing his favorite Sunday School song “Jesus Loves All The Little Children of the World”.
Dredd, Ya back when he was in Assholastan.
Suicides Among Middle-Aged Spikes – By mike strobbe
The rate rose by about 20 percent between 1999 and 2004 for U.S. residents ages 45 through 54 — far out pacing increases among younger adults, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported.
In 2004, there were 16.6 completed suicides per 100,000 people in that age group. That’s the highest it’s been since the CDC started tracking such rates, around 1980. The previous high was 16.5, in 1982.
Experts said they don’t know why the suicide rates are rising so dramatically in that age group, but believe it is an unrecognized tragedy.
Dddduhhhhhhhhhhhhh. . .
Ya don’t haff ta be a Fuckin expert ta figure this one out. (mike strobbe)
This group of folks knew America when it was great, Likely played by the rules fell on hard times and subsequently bush pulled the rug out from under them.
Insufficient availability of social services outreach combined with an inability to communicate, ask for help and pride. Suicide is their final statement.
Involuntarily these folks* are making a sacrifice for bush’s wars**. . . . .Themselves . . .
*including the poor and middle class
**Occupations & misAdventures