TODAY: A Web Chat with Senator Jeanne Shaheen

Rewriting history. (4.00 / 2)

I'd love to hear what's being done to ensure the whole country isn't held hostage to Texas' new radical textbook standards.

--
"Act as if ye have faith and faith shall be given to you." -Aaron Sorkin

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by: Douglas E. Lindner @ Sat Mar 13, 2010 at 16:19:09 PM CST

One of my ancient rants (4.00 / 1)

is about the evils of statewide textbook adoptions in Texas.

If they didn't do that, JFK would have not been assassinated. No textbook adoption = no Texas School Book Depository = no place for Oswald to work and shoot from, ergo statewide textbook adoption policy caused JFK's murder. See?

Now, where'd I put my tinfoil hat, it's around here somewhere...

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by: GreyMike @ Sat Mar 13, 2010 at 18:50:39 PM CST

[ Parent ]

Very slightly less crazy than it sounds. (0.00 / 0)

Their new standards specifically emphasize Reagan at the expense of Ted Kennedy.

--
"Act as if ye have faith and faith shall be given to you." -Aaron Sorkin

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by: Douglas E. Lindner @ Sat Mar 13, 2010 at 19:14:19 PM CST

[ Parent ]

Texas (0.00 / 0)

traditionally has not had much use for any Kennedys. LBJ certainly didn't.

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by: GreyMike @ Sat Mar 13, 2010 at 20:54:53 PM CST

[ Parent ]

Not to get too off-thread, but: (4.00 / 3)

the textbook industry is next in line after newspapers for radical transformation due to the digital age.

It's likely that, over time, issuing a student an iPad or Whatever-is-Next, along with a site license for digital textbooks will be less expensive for schools than the current purchasing of textbooks.

I also think part of the fallout will include those bodies that hold sway over what texts are used.  If states and schools aren't beholden to textbook publishers anymore, then they don't need to be beholden to Texas either.

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by: Dean Barker @ Sat Mar 13, 2010 at 20:07:31 PM CST

[ Parent ]

Not just publishing. (0.00 / 0)

I'd think the intellectual production of textbooks and their relatively low circulation contributes more to their cost than physical publishing.  In theory, e-books should be easier to publish, but that doesn't necessarily mean we'll see more textbook choices.

That said, it might expand the budding market of textbooks customized for different schools' curricula. Intro to American History: Kool Aid-Free Edition.

--
"Act as if ye have faith and faith shall be given to you." -Aaron Sorkin

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by: Douglas E. Lindner @ Sat Mar 13, 2010 at 23:46:41 PM CST

[ Parent ]

our son rents his...cheaper than buying Chegg.com n/t (0.00 / 0)

Not in the shot

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by: JonnyBBad @ Mon Mar 15, 2010 at 12:38:56 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Another Q for the Senator: (4.00 / 3)

what ideas (and hope) does she have for getting the post-SCOTUS campaign finance genie back in the bottle?

How do we make sure voices and issues are not overwhelmed by the mediated tsunami of corporate messaging that's about to take place?

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by: GreyMike @ Sat Mar 13, 2010 at 21:01:22 PM CST

RE: Israel and new settlements (0.00 / 0)

While the insult to VP Biden (re: settlement announcement during his visit) is obvious, it appears even the Pentagon is concerned about Israel working at cross-purposes to American security interests in the Middle East. Do you think it's time that the US start really pushing back against Israeli intransigence?  What steps can the Senate take to ensure that this intransigence is met with an appropriate response? What do you believe an appropriate response is in light of the Netanyahu government's unwillingness to work toward a negotiated settlement with the Palestinians?

"What you need is sustained outrage...there's far too much unthinking respect given to authority." -- Molly Ivins  

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by: The Grand Panjandrum @ Mon Mar 15, 2010 at 15:31:24 PM CDT

Questions for Senator Shaheen (0.00 / 0)

If a progressive and civic-minded citizen wants to get a message to you, what is best way to do it? Do you pay more attention to phone calls? Email? Paper letters? Are longer and more detailed messages more likely to have an impact? Or is it better to be short and to the point?

Do you read political blogs written by you constituents?

Health care reform has been very polarizing. But isn't that surprising that Republicans oppose real health care reform. Once you pass comprehensive reform (which you will, right?) do you see an opportunity for more bipartisanship? Will the parties be able to work together on issues like immigration? Financial reform? Deficit reduction? Or do you see more of the same?

You and Senator Gregg obviously disagree on many issues. Do you ever work together as an NH coalition?

What's the Democratic battle cry for 2010? What's the best way to get a you Democratic colleague in the Senate from NH this year?

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by: bswainbank @ Tue Mar 16, 2010 at 14:04:02 PM CDT

Phone is best, if you can get through.... (0.00 / 0)

You can write letters, but you only get back a FORM letter response on any given issue. I have many of them. I hope Senator Shaheen WILL give me a direct answer to my posted question on healthcare! I hate when they just TALK around the question. It's a 'yes' or a 'no' answer.

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by: Equal Justice @ Wed Mar 17, 2010 at 10:07:25 AM CDT

[ Parent ]

A lot of things are more complicated than yes or no. (0.00 / 0)

And if you got as many letters, emails, and phone calls as a member of Congress, you'd send the same letters to people with the same questions too.

That's what happens when someone has that many constituents.  Don't blame her for math.

--
"Act as if ye have faith and faith shall be given to you." -Aaron Sorkin

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by: Douglas E. Lindner @ Wed Mar 17, 2010 at 11:28:12 AM CDT

[ Parent ]

Some things are just as SIMPLE as a YES or NO! (0.00 / 0)

It would help if she sometimes READ a letter or two. She does, afterall, WORK FOR US?  

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by: Equal Justice @ Wed Mar 17, 2010 at 17:33:03 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Dear Senator, is it accetpable in your view for the new (4.00 / 1)

consumer protection agency to be part of the fed. And if not what are you going to do to change what is moving forward from Dodd's commitee

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by: AboutTime @ Wed Mar 17, 2010 at 07:38:37 AM CDT

HC QUESTION (0.00 / 1)

I have a health savings account and CHOOSE to have only an inexpensive, high deductible, catastrophic insurance policy! I pay as I go from my health account for my basic needs. I WANT to keep this insurance only. Will I be able to under the new bill, as PROMISED by the president or will I be subject to MANDATORY coverage requirements? Can I take him at his word that if I have insurance, and I LIKE it, I can keep it?

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by: Equal Justice @ Wed Mar 17, 2010 at 10:00:37 AM CDT

What if you get Type 1 Diabetes tomorrow (0.00 / 0)

. . . or some other chronic disease?  Then you'll have to pay for extremely expensive treatment out of your pocket.

Or, like many people today, you won't be able to afford hundreds of dollars a week for life-saving medicines (with costs growing exponentially) that won't be covered under your "catastrophic insurance" policy.  Then you can die slowly, like so many other people with chronic illnesses today.  

Or you'll get life-saving care after you are unable to purchase these medicines (say, weekly dialysis, if you're a diabetic like me).  Those extraordinary expensive and inefficient costs will be also not be covered under your "catastrophic insurance" policy, so they'll be passed on by hospitals to folks with REAL health insurance like me.

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by: Dartmouth Dem @ Wed Mar 17, 2010 at 11:06:37 AM CDT

[ Parent ]

What the heck is REAL insurance? I thought that was the big problem? (0.00 / 0)

I just want a YES or a NO answer. I know the "WHAT IF'S" and this is MY choice. Do you ask the illegals or people with NO insurance who pay NOTHING that question? My health care and my decision what type of insurance I PAY for. I do not feel "entitled' to anything someone else has worked for, especially not their money.    

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by: Equal Justice @ Wed Mar 17, 2010 at 17:23:08 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

What the heck is REAL insurance? (4.00 / 1)

Um, insurance that covers you when you're sick? Seems pretty basic to me.

And, for the record, I don't really care what you think you're "entitled" to.  One of the biggest reasons costs are so out of control is underinsured people who can't afford the health care they don't expect to need.  

And if you are diagnosed with cancer tomorrow, and find that you need to pay for a bone marrow transplant out of your own pocket, you'll understand that.  

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by: Dartmouth Dem @ Wed Mar 17, 2010 at 18:32:20 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Wasted keystrokes, DD. (0.00 / 0)

A lot of CONCERNS here that won't have satisfactory answers outside of the Möbius logic loop. I have similar conversations with an elderly relative who is (wait for it) on Medicare. Entertaining but 100% non-productive.

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by: GreyMike @ Wed Mar 17, 2010 at 18:52:15 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

I disagree (4.00 / 1)

To paraphrase Kathy, you can't protest foderol too much.  Besides, I'm amazed by how many of these morons don't understand the first thing about health care economics.

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by: Dartmouth Dem @ Wed Mar 17, 2010 at 20:50:28 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

I'm just glad that (4.00 / 1)

you have more energy than I do at this point, I guess the "morans" have tired me out.

Kathy's right, of course. You may not change the mind of the original poster, but a third party giving the exchange a rational assessment would appreciate the difference of perspectives.

Anyway, I have observed that a lot of these folks come out of the woodwork on such occasions to see if they can play "gotcha" with a Senator or Congresscritter, they really aren't interested in what the likes of us is thinking.

I just wish they would refrain from the ALL CAPS and BOLDFACE shouting. Makes the site look like a ransom note.

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by: GreyMike @ Wed Mar 17, 2010 at 22:01:51 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Why do you think you are the only ones entitled to ask a question? (0.00 / 0)

We came out of the woodwork to get some answers from our normally missing in action Senator, who by the way, works for ALL of us, not just liberal democrats.
PS: YES WE ARE SHOUTING SO MAYBE SOMEONE WILL ACTUALLY HEAR US? I think maybe the Scott Brown victory wasn't quite a loud enough message and maybe in NOVEMEBR they will finally get it. :)

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by: Equal Justice @ Thu Mar 18, 2010 at 10:35:05 AM CDT

[ Parent ]

Stop shouting (0.00 / 0)

and people will be able to hear you more clearly. Would you listen carefully to someone who was shouting at you? Of course not. Golden rule still applies.

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by: GreyMike @ Thu Mar 18, 2010 at 11:15:00 AM CDT

[ Parent ]

Notice I did NOT get my yes or no answer? (0.00 / 0)

I told you I CHOSE the type of insurance I want to pay for. I am not telling YOU what to do? If we were not paying for FREE HC for illegals or the cost of outrageous liability insurance for HC providers, OR for the abuse and waste in the wonderful existing government programs, I do think the COSTS would go down? SEEMS PRETTY BASIC TO ME?

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by: Equal Justice @ Thu Mar 18, 2010 at 10:28:12 AM CDT

[ Parent ]

In response (4.00 / 1)

Yes or no on what?  You have to pose a question before you ask for an answer.  But I'll respond to your general point. . .

Personally, I would be willing to have you sign a waiver saying that you would not receive any health care services or medicines that (a) your insurance does not cover, or (b) you do not have money in your bank account to pay for.  Then, when you get cancer or diabetes or any of zillion other diseases that you do not anticipate getting, you will die.  Case closed.

Fortunately, though, we live in a country where we do not deny health care to people who need it, even people who are as irresponsible as you.  And we don't let illegal immigrants die in the streets, because, in spite of what you say, they are human beings, too.

What we do NOT have is an efficient system of allocating health care that invests in preventive care, and avoids the shifting of costs from potential free loaders (that's you) on to people whose insurance actually covers them when they get sick.

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by: Dartmouth Dem @ Thu Mar 18, 2010 at 11:10:57 AM CDT

[ Parent ]

thanks for stopping by (4.00 / 1)

your CONCERNS are duly noted.  

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by: susanthe @ Thu Mar 18, 2010 at 11:28:38 AM CDT

[ Parent ]

Hey please let me know where you found inexpensive coverage, I have tried (0.00 / 0)

and have found no luck.

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by: AboutTime @ Wed Mar 17, 2010 at 12:59:41 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Get yourself a HC savings account as well! (0.00 / 0)

Try Celtic Insurance. If you are self-employed they have a pool for us! It sure would be LESS expensive if we didn't have to pay for illegals walking into emergency rooms for free whenever they wanted. OR paying for the cost of over the top LIABILITY insurance for HC providers. OR paying for the FRAUD and WASTE already in the CURRENT government run HC programs! What a shame.

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by: Equal Justice @ Wed Mar 17, 2010 at 17:29:25 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Am I covered for (4.00 / 2)

hearing or reading loss from too much shouting?

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by: elwood @ Wed Mar 17, 2010 at 19:24:50 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Q for Senator Shaheen (0.00 / 0)

Please explain as specifically as possible why you and your fellow members of the US Senate REFUSE to investigate the previous Administration for various illegal activities they have now openly admitted to on national TV.

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by: jprski @ Wed Mar 17, 2010 at 10:43:22 AM CDT

Financial Reform (4.00 / 1)

Senator Shaheen -

Thank you for extraordinary service, and for taking the time visit us at Blue Hampshire.

My question: Given the ongoing debate on financial services legislation in the Senate, what do you believe are the necessary reform components for preventing future corruption, mismanagement, and excessive risk-taking by Wall Street?

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by: Dartmouth Dem @ Wed Mar 17, 2010 at 11:10:02 AM CDT

Federal Support for SPED cost (4.00 / 1)

Senator Shaheen,

Thank you for taking time to visit with us on Blue Hampshire today.

As a former Governor of NH you understand first hand the incredible funding pressures our schools are under.

Some relief would be had if the Federal Government full lived up to their portion of the funding these services. Doing so would mean real relief at the local level here in NH.

What can be done to push this forward in DC?

Again,
Thanks for you time here and your service in the Senate.

Mike

Hope > Fear




Create a free Blue Hampshire account and join the conversation.

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by: Mike Hoefer @ Wed Mar 17, 2010 at 11:17:44 AM CDT

As a member of the Foreign Relations Committee (4.00 / 1)

It is clear that Middle East peace is centered on the relationship between the Palestinians and the Israelis, I'd like you discuss another conflict of concern, between India and Pakistan, as it relates to our ongoing war in Afghanistan.

The ability for the Pakastani military to fully engage AQ & Taliban forces along the tribal territories bordering Afghanistan, is directly related to the level of tensions in the Jammu/Kashmir region.

The State Department is currently sending high level envoys to India & Pakistan to push for progress on many fronts. All are interconnected and vital.

Please brief us on your understanding of this matter and offer some thoughts you may be planning on bringing to this vital Senate committee?

Thank you for your service to NH and our nation.


www.KusterforCongress.com - www.paulhodesforsenate.com
www.nikitsongas.com - www.devalpatrick.com

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by: Jack Mitchell @ Wed Mar 17, 2010 at 12:37:18 PM CDT