Introduction

I am circulating this plan at this late stage of the health care debate because most of the proposals out there are totally inadequate. This plan is a hybrid of government provided coverage, private insurance and regional and trade association co-ops (Not as public option replacements, but as an additional choice. I'd be very disappointed if the eventual health care bill doesn't include a public option and co-ops are inadequate alternatives).

I originally came up with this healthcare plan in 2005 and never formally put it to paper because I worked for someone who advocated single payer, which I believe is a worthy goal, but impossible in today's political and economic climate.

Plans without a public option are essentially worthless. They will inadequately extend the coverage safety net and will not put adequate competitive pressure on private insurance pricing.  read more »

I developed a political ideology quiz on go to quiz. It's called Where Are You On the Political Spectrum. Please note that the site features several other similarly titled quizzes.

The possible results are Lefty, Liberal, Moderate, Conservative, Wingnut and Libertarian. My results indicated that I'm a liberal. I assume most of this sites' visitors taking the test will be Lefties or Liberals. For fun forward the link to your most right wing friends.

The Jewish morning prayer service ends with the Psalm of the day. Psalm 82 concludes the service on Tuesdays, which is also Election Day in this Country. I find it an interesting coincidence that the Psalm, written more than two millennia ago and admonishes hypocritical leaders who favor the powerful over the poor, is read on Election Day. When I read it, I always imagine a biblical era prophet chastising contemporary Republicans.

The Birnbaum Siddur or Prayerbook reads right to left with the odd pages written in Hebrew while the even pages contain translations of the Hebrew text in archaic King James style English. I choose to pray with Birnbaum when it's an available option, over books with easier to understand English, because I'm used to its liturgical translation. Although I know how to read Hebrew and recite some prayers in that ancient tongue, I understand little of the language and pray mostly in English. Using other English translations throws me off.

Containing just 8 sentences, Psalm 82 is among the Bible's shortest chapters. Below is the Birnbaum version of the Psalm.  read more »

The October 15 debate between Obama and McCain wasn't the final 2008 election cycle presidential debate.

Democratic Congressman Jerry Nadler (NY 8 Congressional District Manhattan/Brooklyn) and former Pataki aid and Republican Jewish Coalition Executive Director Greg Menken will sub for the actual presidential candidates in a 2 PM Sunday October 19 debate at Congregation B’nai Jeshurun (CBJ), 275 Martling Avenue, Staten Island, NY 10314. CBJ’s Men’s Club is sponsoring the event.

Nadler and Menken have previously debated each other as presidential candidate surrogates.

I will co-moderate the event with CBJ mens club pres Ronnie Ben-Aron.

For more Information Contact: Roy Moskowitz (718) 370-3977 Mobile (917) 992-1873 Email: R2ceo@aol.com or Ronnie Ben-Aron (347) 449-3723 Email: rbenaron@yahoo.com.

Steve Harrison will hold an online Town Hall meeting at 8 pm tonight.
Please visit harrisonforcongress.com for instructions.