Border rancher: 'We’ve found prayer rugs out here. It’s unreal'

LORDSBURG, N.M. — Ranchers and farmers near the U.S.-Mexico border have been finding prayer rugs on their properties in recent months, according to one rancher who asked to remain anonymous for fear of retaliation by cartels.

The mats are pieces of carpet that those of the Muslim faith kneel on as they worship during their unauthorized trek into and through the United States.

"There’s a lot of people coming in not just from Mexico," the rancher said. "People, the general public, just don’t get the terrorist threats of that. That’s what’s really scary. You don’t know what’s coming across. We’ve found prayer rugs out here. It’s unreal. It’s not just Mexican nationals that are coming across."

https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/border-rancher-weve-found-prayer-rugs-out-here-its-unreal

Pelosi only gives Trump a bigger audience by canceling State of the Union

It would be an excellent way to snub any other president, but by calling for President Trump to reschedule the State of the Union, Nancy Pelosi has only given him a bigger stage.

It is a remarkable unforced error.

Citing national security, and specifically the difficulties facing the Secret Service and Capitol Police amid the government shutdown, House Speaker Pelosi, D-Calif., is asking Trump either to select a later, post-shutdown date or to submit his comments on State of the Union in writing, which presidents used to do commonly before the television era. But no one should be fooled — the real concern here is that Trump is going to stand up in front of a gigantic audience and literally point the finger at congressional Democrats in the House chamber, blaming them for shutting down the government.

Pelosi has the power to stop Trump from walking into the House of Representatives and delivering a speech, but she can’t stop him from making his case for the border wall in prime time. Just consider the address he delivered from the Resolute Desk last week.

Trump talked for roughly eight minutes and 43.3 million tuned in to watch, according to the AP’s count. Compare that to Trump’s very first joint address to Congress, right after his election, which 48 million watched. No congressional podium last week, and arguably far less interest in the novelty of his presidency, yet Trump drew an audience nearly as large.

If Pelosi insists, then Trump can speak from the Oval Office again if he likes. He could even march down the National Mall and deliver the speech on Pelosi’s doorstep. There could be a band. There could be fireworks. No matter what venue he chooses, there will be an audience, and it will probably be bigger now, thanks to Pelosi.

https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/opinion/pelosi-only-gives-trump-a-bigger-audience-by-canceling-state-of-the-union

Arkansas Medicaid rolls fall by 18,000 after 7 months of work requirements

The rules stipulate that to keep Medicaid in Arkansas, certain beneficiaries have to report to the state that they have worked, volunteered, or taken classes for at least 80 hours a month. Three consecutive months of failing work, or to report the work, results in a loss of Medicaid. At the start of the program, people were only allowed to log their hours online, but beginning Dec. 19, people were allowed to begin reporting their work requirements by phone.

The requirements apply to adults who are not disabled and who qualify for government-funded Medicaid coverage because they make less than $17,000 a year. They don't need to be followed for the majority of people on the program, including caregivers, parents, or those receiving addiction treatment.

https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/policy/healthcare/arkansas-medicaid-rolls-fall-by-18-000-after-7-months-of-work-requirements

William Barr impresses Democrats in marathon confirmation hearing

The smooth confirmation of a new attorney general seemed unimaginable last year, when Democrats warned that Trump's decision to fire Jeff Sessions had sparked a "constitutional crisis" amid fears that Trump was looking to take control of the ongoing investigation into whether he colluded with Russia to win the election in 2016.

But Barr told Democrats repeatedly that he wants special counsel Robert Mueller's investigation to continue and conclude without interference. He said he believes Russia tried to interfere with the election and that a final report is needed. And he said he wouldn't let Trump tweak the final report before a summary of it is made public.

Barr, who was George H.W. Bush's attorney general in the early 1990s, also pledged that he wouldn't be bossed around by Trump or anyone else.

https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/did-pretty-well-william-barr-impresses-dems-in-marathon-confirmation-hearing

'Medicare-for-All' Would Take Most of Your Paycheck

In a crowded field of Democrats vying for the presidency in 2020, one thing stands out. "Medicare-for-all" tops their campaign promises. On Sunday, the latest to announce, former Obama cabinet official Julian Castro, pledged to make Medicare-for-All a reality.

But these candidates would rather walk on hot coals than tell you what "Medicare-for-all" costs: a whopping $32 trillion over 10 years. To raise that, all taxpayers, not just the rich, would have to hand a gut-wrenching share of their paycheck to Uncle Sam, based on Congressional Budget Office revenue tables.

A single guy earning $82,500 a year, and currently paying a 24 percent marginal rate, would be hit with a 60 percent tax rate. A couple reporting $165,000 in income would also see their marginal rate soar from 24 percent to 60 percent. No more dinners out or family trips. Goodbye to their standard of living.

And goodbye to America's standard of care. Liberals want to keep the name Medicare, but change everything else. The result will be stingy care for all. Here's why:

Currently, Medicare pays doctors and hospitals about 87 cents for every dollar's worth of care, according to the American Hospital Association. Why do doctors and hospitals go along with the shortchanging? Because they can shift their unmet cost onto younger, privately insured patients. But "Medicare-for-all" outlaws private insurance. All patients would be underpaying, leaving hospitals with less money. "Many hospitals wouldn't be able to keep their doors open," says Chip Kahn of the Federation of American Hospitals. Those that do will be jamming more beds in a room, and making patients wait longer for a nurse.

That could be you. If you have insurance now, you won't be allowed to keep it. Nationwide, the 156 million people getting coverage through a job would be forced to give it up. Employers and unions would be barred from covering workers or their families. Public unions are already protesting. Everyone would get the same coverage, employed or not. What's the incentive to work?

https://townhall.com/columnists/betsymccaughey/2019/01/16/medicareforall-would-take-most-of-your-paycheck-n2539105

>>4778446

Think harder.

Health Insurance does NOT equal health care.

Regulations is another way for government to control you and your doctor.

Deregulations increase choice, decrease cost and increase freedom.

Uncouple health insurance from primary care.

Go back to truly catastrophic medical insurance like we do for cars and homes.

Think harder.

>>4778446

>>4778428

Time to go back to doctors working only for the patient.

Do some research to discover when that changed and why.

>>4778523

Where did I say that anon?