Millions of Americans are struggling with paying their debts.  Surviving day to day, check to check is their reality.  Calls from debt-collectors are a part of their life and they cringe when they answer the phone knowing the collector will be aggressive and make them feel worthless. 

A new page is being turned in that book   Outsourcing has hit debt-collecting.  The next voice you hear may be coming to you from - - - INDIA!!!

“Americans are used to receiving calls from India for insurance claims and credit card sales. But debt collection represents a growing business for outsourcing companies, especially as the American economy slows and its consumers struggle to pay for their purchases.”
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On Wednesday evening, April 23, the Amherst Democratic Committee voted on its endorsements for the offices of Member of the House of Representatives from New York’s 26th Congressional district, and of Member of the State Senate from the 61st district. Each committeeperson who voted received a number of votes equal to the number of votes that Eliot Spitzer earned for Governor on the Democratic line in 2006 in the election precinct that the committeeperson represents.

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Authorities have confirmed that one of 6 bodies found in Iraq belongs to a Western New York man. U.S. Officials say 25-year old Jonathon Michael Cote was one of 6 men captured and killed. Officials have notified his family that Jonathon’s remains were identified. …WKBW TV

Senate Democrats Unveil Plan to Bar New Prescription Drug Pricing System

State Senator Liz Krueger (D-Manhattan) joined her Senate Democratic colleagues and public health advocates today in calling for a ban on the new “Tier 4″ pricing system, which could result in New York citizens facing thousand of dollars in additional drug costs.   

Health Maintenance Organizations (HMOs) and Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs) in other states have begun instituting a Tier 4 system for some high-cost drugs that effectively denies access to most consumers.  Currently, New York insurers use no more than a three-tier pricing system, where patients pay a set dollar amount, based on whether the drug is generic, preferred, or non-preferred.  Tier 4 would add a new level of pricing, which would require beneficiaries to pay a percentage of the total cost of high-priced medications.  For example, under Tier 4 pricing in other states, co-pays can jump from $25 per prescription up to $325 or even as hight as $4,000. 

“Under this new pricing system New Yorkers who desperately need their prescription drugs, would be left out in the cold,” said Senator Krueger.  ”By definition, insurance is supposed to cover people in case of medical emergency.  The reason people pay for insurance their whole life is to ensure that if they ever become sick or injured, they will receive the proper medical treatment.  Why would you pay for insurance only to learn it’s not really there for you if/when you need it?” 

People struggling with chronic and severe illnesses such as cancer, multiple sclerosis and hepatitis C depend on cutting-edge medications.  However, these patients would see dramatic fee increases if the new Tier 4 system is adopted in our State.  Instead of the standard co-pay, patients could see their monthly drug costs rise into the hundreds and even thousands of dollars.  At today’s press conference, April Welles, a New York City woman suffering from multiple sclerosis, stated that the proposed Tier 4 pricing system would make her medication completely unaffordable by increasing her $25 monthly co-payment to as high as $735.  Citizen Action of New York, one of the founding members of the “Healthcare For All New York Campaign” came out in support of a ban on Tier 4.  “Too often health insurance fails us when we really need it,” said Pamela Bennett, Director of Citizen Action of New York City.  “The insurance industry made $15 billion in 2006, and health insurance and disability insurance CEOs averaged $8.7 million in compensation.  That same year drug companies were the second most profitable industry in the country with drug company CEOs averaging $4.3 million in annual compensation.  All this while working families are struggling to meet their healthcare costs.” 

Senator Krueger stressed, “This is not a partisan issue.  This is about the well being of our New York citizens versus the bottom line of the Health Maintenance Organizations (HMOs) and the Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs).” 

The Senate Democrats will soon introduce legislation barring implementation of a Tier 4 pricing system in New York State.  The legislation will require the Superintendent of Insurance, Eric R. Dinallo, to deny Tier 4 plans and facilitate fair access to needed high-cost medications under Insurance Plans in NYS. 

Senator Krueger concluded, “I know my Senate Democratic colleagues and I will be able to stand tall, knowing we did what was right.  I now hope the Senate Republicans will join us in showing New Yorkers they care more about people’s health then about who donates the largest campaign checks.”

America has always been one of the leading countries of the world.  We are out in the forefront.  It’s nice to be a leader, usually, but not when it comes to producing inmates!   We have 5% of the world’s population but a whopping 25% of all inmates.

“Indeed, the United States leads the world in producing prisoners, a reflection of a relatively recent and now entirely distinctive American approach to crime and punishment. Americans are locked up for crimes — from writing bad checks to using drugs — that would rarely produce prison sentences in other countries. And in particular they are kept incarcerated far longer than prisoners in other nations.”
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Saturday Night Live’s kits often employ someone saying, “Who’s your Daddy?”  Now government officials in Texas are saying that as well as they try to decern exactly who the 400+ children removerd from the Yearning for Zion ranch belong to the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, or F.L.D.S.

“Current and former members of a deeply conservative polygamous sect whose children have been seized by the state came to a county office building here on Tuesday to donate their DNA for a genetic database that state officials said could be a step toward the reunification of parents and children.”
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As an Eagle Scout, I was taught at a very young age to leave the camp site in better shape than how I found it. Today, on Earth Day, I challenge all of you to adopt this premise and live it in your everyday lives.

With environmental concerns as challenging as climate change, pollution, protecting natural resources like our Great Lakes, and the need to invest in sustainable alternative energy we should take today and reflect on ways that we can improve our environment. The Sierra Club has some great suggestions on how you can make a difference both in your home and in your community. Do something as simple as:

• Clean your Air Conditioner and Furnace Filters;
• Switch out compact fluorescent light bulbs for incandescent light bulbs; or
• Turn off lights when not in use.

My campaign is about leading by the example we set for others. You can act now by telling 5 friends about our campaign and these Earth Day tips by clicking here.  With the current climate crisis, we must act now to help the future and to leave the campsite in better shape than how we found it.

Happy Earth Day,

Washington, D.C. – Congressman Brian Higgins today celebrated Earth Day and pledged to continue his work in Congress to protect the environment, fight global warming and spur a cleaner, greener, and more prosperous economy for the American people. 

“Since the first Earth Day in 1970, the awareness raised about environmental issues has helped to place stringent restrictions on polluters who would otherwise lay waste to our lakes and rivers, to bring back endangered species like the American Condor from the brink of extinction, and promoted recycling as a way to conserve resources,” said Higgins.  “Our achievements are extensive; however, we face unprecedented challenges for the future.” 

The 110^th Congress has already taken several major steps forward by passing landmark legislation that addresses the global warming crisis while creating new green collar jobs, cutting energy costs and helping end our dependence on foreign oil.  

The historic and bipartisan Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 has been signed into law and will increase vehicle fuel efficiency standards and help save American families $700 to $1,000 per year at the gas pump. New building, appliance and lighting efficiency standards included in the new law will save consumers $400 billion through 2030. Additionally, the new law will help save 5.3 billion metric tons in energy-related CO2 emissions from 2008-2030 and cut the growth in energy-related emissions of CO2 by 10 percent.  

Congressman Higgins, a leading advocate for protection and restoration of the lakes, celebrated Earth Day over the past weekend by joining AmeriCorps Volunteers for clean-up activities along Gallagher Beach.  

“The Great Lakes are Western New York’s most vital natural resource,” said Congressman Higgins, a member of the Congressional Great Lakes Caucus.  “Historically, the lakes shaped this region as a port welcoming settlers, commerce and growth.    The long-tem health and vibrancy of this fresh water source is fundamental to the future of our environment and quality of life for those who will enjoy the lakes for generations to come.”

During the Town Board meeting Satish Mohan stopped the meeting to deliver a sermon.  His sermon was to gain pity from the people.  It went somewhat like this:  He told the audience he was a man of integrity and never lies.  He is fighting against evil people in the world who attack him.

I looked up at the ceiling as he was preaching, waiting for the roof to cave in, or lightening to strike.  He went on about how wonderful he was and how he is fighting the bad people of Amherst.  He is our guardian angel protecting us from ourselves.

 I got up to go the john but saw the long line to use the toilet.  Then I heard loud choking grunts eminating from the bathroom.  It was obvious that Dr. Mohan’s bull had turned a lot of stomachs to repel his lies but again, this is  - Humor in Politics.