Dec. 14, 2004 - 21:29 MST

THE WONDERING JEW

Whuts Snoo ?

Mark Sherman of the Associated Press has an article in the Rocky Mountain News this morning which poses a few questions, some not asked or answered by him. In full:

"WASHINGTON -- Michael Leavitt, President bush's choice for Health and Human Services secretary, may have to cut billions from the government's mammoth health programs for the elderly, poor and disabled to pare the budget deficit."

"The Medicare and Medicaid programs, consuming nearly $500 billion per year and growing quickly, could be vulnerable in the context of last year's $413 billion budget deficit, the ongoing war in Iraq, costly domestic security commitments and administration plans to revamp Social Security without raising taxes."

"Bush selected Leavitt, the Environmental Protection Agency chief, Monday, filling one of the last two openings in his second-term Cabinet."

"Bush praised Leavitt as a "fine executive" and "a man of great compassion . . . an ideal choice to lead one of the largest departments of the United States government."

"Leavitt, Utah's governor for 11 years before joining the administration in late 2003, would succeed Tommy Thompson if confirmed by the Senate."

"Before becoming governor, he was Chief Operating Officer of the Leavitt Group, a family insurance firm in which he maintains an investment worth between $5 million and $25 million, according to a financial disclosure report he filed in 2003."

"The company owns 100 independent insurance agencies that sell supplemental Medicare policies, among other insurance products, according to company literature."

"The Medigap policies account for less than 1 percent of company revenues, said president and CEO Dane Leavitt, Michael Levitt's brother."

"I have never had a discussion with him on any of those topoics and I don't anticipate having one," Dane Leavitt said."

"White House spokesman Trent Duffy said, "We're confident that Gov. Leavitt will take the necessary steps to avoid any conflicts of interest."

"Meanwhile John Walters, the national drug policy director, plans to stay in his post, White House officials said."

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Opinions and comments.

Now we have Kerik whose undercover life is beginning to show through the worn fabric of public office deciding not to be Homeland Security Secretary. Now we have this highly touted owner of 100 insurance companies recommended by Mr. Bush to become Health and Human Services Secretary.

Whitehouse spokesman at the forefront saying, (with a possible straight face) "We're confident that Gov. Leavitt will take the necessary steps to avoid any conflicts of interest."

Last I was able to read, Halliburton is still raking in the dough. Conflicts of interest ? Our administration seems to have no idea of the meaning of it as far as I can see.

I suppoose Mr Sherman is making an edu;cated guess as to what will suffer under whoever is appointed. But it is rather obvious to me that only those most unable to defend themselves will be the ones to suffer under the beneficence of the government.

But I guess there is nothing new under the sun, former politicians who held positions under various administrations after leaving government going to work for companies and corporations who they favored while in office.

Some going into goverment work while connected with businesses. As they say, "Money talks." Seems to me that "Big money speaks the loudest." Apropos ? Maybe. I think so.

As the white flakes gather on my shoulders, with a cynical grin I say, Whuts Snoo ? . . . . . . . . . .

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