Geithner's Got My Doctor's Attention and Now I'm Really Getting Scared

Treasury Secretary Geithner addressed the nation this morning to give us details about the pending financial recovery plan being hammered out and tortured by Congress as I type.

He's going to spend $500 Billion and "expand" his bail-out program up to a Trillion "based on what works." Among other things. Really.

In his first televised press conference last night, our young president declined to answer questions about details on the implementation of the stimulus plan because he didn't "want to steal [Geithner's] thunder." What I heard this morning was more akin to a spring shower than a thunderstorm, but you can bet that the thunder is on the way -- picture Geithner as Thor, hammer and all. Really.

I heard very few details this morning from Secretary Geithner, and precious little that differed much from the Henry Paulson effort last fall -- other than G's idea of "transparency" (setting up a website, http://www.financialstability.gov/. Not yet available. Probably not available until after the YP signs this anathema into law.) and spending much more money. And telling us that the spending will be Painful. That's re-assuring. Oh, and the administration will also be wiping out any level of privacy we have regarding personal health issues under the guise of making medical records "more accessible." Really.

The young president and his minions have dramatically expanded the federal bureaucracy in less than a month -- except for the administrative office that hasn't gotten off the ground yet because the nominee to head it up got bounced for failure to pay taxes. Way too much is being way too centralized in way too few "insiders," along with way too much power. The healthcare initiatives, alone, are terrifying. (For a good discussion on the improbability of successfully transitioning to interstate electronic records, see "You Thought Hillary Was Scary?" http://www.southerngirl30.blogspot.com/) Where are all the HIPAA fanatics? Why aren't they screaming bloody murder?! Who in Congress has the foresight and the cajones to help us?! We've now heard about the coming forfeiture of our individual freedom to maintain privacy in medical matters -- better hide your guns 'cause they're probably next. Really.