Congressman Duncan Hunter

Richard..Yes, I'm familiar with the government budget process and fully agree that this is ludicrous and in dire need of reform. I think we could also agree that there are instances where government spending is worthwhile, such as interstate infrastructure (roads, internet, etc.), but that's not to say worthwhile means well planned or without waste... Read More. Our government also spends a large sum of money on biomedical research that the private sector cannot support. The investment in the National Institutes of Health produces about $7 in private sector funds for every $1 of government spends. So government can spend money wisely, but that is certainly not the norm. I restate that if nothing is done it is estimated that health care costs will consume 50% of GDP by 2050, so I would argue that status quo is not a viable option. I also would say that the health insurance industry has proven over and over that it needs the firm hand of government regulation because that industry has a woeful record of working in the interest of the consumer. There is presently little to no competition within many states, and without competition, private industry becomes robber barons and anything but efficient. As it stands, 50 million of our fellow citizens are without health insurance and thousands more go bankrupt each week because of health care costs. Health care costs are one of the two leading causes of bankruptcy in the nation. As our recent economic situation shows, a completely free market (such as banking) is no guarantee for an efficient system. Granted, we have a political and philosophical difference here. It is useful and interesting to have a respectful discussion of these issues.

LISTEN TO THIS, AMERICA.....
http://apps.facebook.com/reverbnation_fb/artist/kevinkline?autoPlay=2735986&_fb_fromhash=e83b1d8d13d1b94b3ed471cb4223ecaf

Go to POLITICO.com I made my comment there.

We are proud of you Congressman Hunter, and all Veterans & Active Duty Military. As a Viet Nam Vet, I don't want to see Afghanistan lost by irrational political decisions.

Keep up your outstanding work!!!

Good luck getting this through the house too.

Thank you, Congressman Hunter, for this report. And I wish your younger brother success in Iraq!

testify: http://www.myspace.com/74000961

If Vickie would send a facebook link etc., I can send some more videos....

Thanks for living up to the trust we invested in you!

Sir, I am currently a Staff Sergeant in the US Marine Corps. I serve with 1st Battalion 10th Marines and have served one year and 10 months total in Iraq. I was attached to 1/11 during the initial invasion of Iraq (we were the ones with I^10 on the side of our trucks) so we chewed some of the same dirt. I would like to thank you for urging the ... Read MoreAdoption of Medal of Honor Review Panel. Many servicemembers have done things in Iraq and Afghanistan to earn the MOH and are not being recognized. Marines such as Sgt Peralta and 1stLt (now Capt) Chontosh have done extraordinary things only to awarded less than what they rate. I think our leadership does not recognize these things because these acts are not being done storming a beach or rushing machine gun pits like wars in the past. Our leaders do not recognize that we have never fought a war such as this and that the landscape of combat has been changes forever. Please, do not give up this fight and let it be lost in the redtape of government

Hey Philip, I was with A 1/11 during the invasion... I know Congrassman Hunter, because he was '1st Lt. Hunter' when he was with our unit... I know he will not give up this fight!

Tort costs contribute about 1% to overall health care costs. We could eliminate that and not notice a difference in a $2.5T health care environment. That's not to say it shouldn't be done as it would reduce defensive medicine practices, which would have a bigger impact. But, altering the way doctors are paid away from "by procedures" and toward ... Read Moreoutcomes would have an even bigger benefit. Opening up across state lines will do nothing to guarantee insurance with no precondition exclusions, transportability, etc. These rules changes are things Republicans and Democrats in the Congress agree on. Of course, a strong public option would provide the strongest competition across state lines.

I would respectfully challenge the 50 million uninsured figure often stated by those advocating a public option. The President has even adjusted the figure downward in his speech to the joint session to 34 million which for plenty of good reasons is still arguable. Nevertheless, to suggest the private sector has failed to respond is to ignore the... Read More litany of state and federal mandates already set upon the private sector, many of which are directly and indirectly responsible for coverage cost increases. That is not to say legislation mandating certain coverage was not enacted with “good intentions”, but we all know where that road leads us.

OMG at first I thought that was Reiterates Call to DEFEND ACORN

California Attorney General, Jerry Brown, has announced an ACORN investigation. I hope the AG is not being a demagogue prior to a bid for governor. This will begin to clarify as we watch the speed at which this investigation proceeds. ACORN has been on the leading edge of a direct assault to undermine our form of government for the last 38 years... Read More. It has done so through the use of all manner of crime including corporate and political extortion, fraud, and violence. It seems it could be argued the organization was conceived as a criminal enterprise for purposes of a RICO investigation.

Heard you on the Rick Roberts show town hall this morning. Thanks for keeping up informed and keep up the good fight for our liberty! He mentioned a town hall in Ramona this weekend, so if you have details pass them out.

If Governor Arnie could stop acting like a Kennedy liberal and enforce the border, cut health care to illegals, and all services to illegal aliens, and get the guard on those borders than maybe we could get America back to work.

Yep we know what a great guy he is, we live in his district.

Amen to that Bonnie, I am so glad that I am in his district. Wish we could get his dad to run again as Senator and get rid of Feinstiein.

Congressman Hunter, Thanks foryour ambition and the grate service you provide for our wonderful city.
What I would like to bring to your attention is that we are the only industrialized NATION without some kind of heath coverage for our people. We need health care reform NOW.
I am tired of listening the missleading ads about Canadean Health Care. The prime minister of Canada Responded to some of these kind of Ads.
As for myself and my family I am in a posision to provide
Health Coverage for my wife and daughter.... Read More
All the people without healt care coverage they overload the
emergency rooms. The RESULT IS, we the taxpayers or all
others pay high premiums so the good Doctors and the nice Hospitals can be reimbursed.

PS. In the past, Your Father did a great job. I hope you will
follow in his foot steps.

Thanks for your time
K.G.Marantos

I'm a legal hispanic citizen for You don't speak for me, hispanic advocacy and the problem with why Calif. is going bankrupt is too many freeloaders from the south spoiling it for those of us who are honest law abidding citizens. Government health care would bankrupt this country look at Russia they did the single payer system, and they are 70 years behind us in health care. The problem with socialism as Margaret Thatcher once said eventually you run out of other peoples money.

All in the name of christ!

*cough* BULLSHIT *cough*

I'm a little vexed by members of Congress expressing the view that advanced directives are instruments of death.We required all our troops to fill these out before each military deployment. As a CO I had professionals available to answer questions. This act before deployment was considered one of compassion for our families and a record of our ... Read Morewishes should we be unable to speak for ourselves while injured. The VA makes Vets file these and hospitals shove one at you before complex procedures unless you can provide them with one. I'm not sure where we are going with this but the Pentagon has its work cut out if the new message to the troops is that advance directives are actually instruments of death.