A crowd gathered Thursday to hear U.S. Rep. Henry Cuellar, D-Laredo, answer questions about health care reform.
Obviously, this issue has been contentious throughout the United States.
A lot of town hall meetings have turned into shouting matches, people using rather inane language and words they probably heard from listening to too much Glenn Beck, Rush Limbaugh, Bill O'Reilly, Keith Olbermann, Rachel Maddow and Ed Schultz.
What about having their own "take" (hello, Jim Rome) on the issue? Have I given talk radio enough "run" in this piece? Yeah.
Fascism, Nazis, "death panels" ... what else am I missing here? Oh yeah. "Obama stinks."
Anyway -- my point is those gathered at Texas A&M International University who asked Cuellar questions did so in a very civil-toned manner. Yes, there were people with different political viewpoints. No one shouted down another person when a question was asked. No one spat venom toward Cuellar during the almost 90-minute town hall meeting.
I do believe having the Sisters of Mercy Health System there as part of it set a unique tone to the event. Laredoans, be proud of yourselves. That was the way to hold a true town hall meeting.
I have no answer to what should be done about health care reform.
Is it an issue which is important and should be discussed? Yes, of course ... like all matters concerning America.
Heck, I wish people would get up and have knots in their shorts about the poor, the homeless, the less fortunate, the addicted, broken and afflicted in this country.
That's not as much fun, though, is it.
Preventive care was mentioned as an important component of personal health care. It's also personal responsibility, too.
In communities all along the U.S.-Mexico border, there are health issues.
Yeah, I hear the "just build the border fence and keep those illegals out of our country" voices.
Ahh, just a question. If you're one of those voices and believes so much in family values, then consider this: a LOT of families live on both sides of the border. Those families go back 3-4-5 generations. Building a fence will separate families ... but who cares about that anyway, right?
Health care reform is a tough issue. It's one late Sen. Edward M. Kennedy spoke of for many, many years while serving Massachusetts in the United States Senate.
I'll stop this piece with one final thought.
Never ... never in this health care reform bill discussion in ANY corner have I heard the words "love of fellow man" arise. It's "us vs. them" again. Caveman mentality.
Let this "love of fellow man" spirit be a part of this conversation.
It should be ... no matter what religious, spiritual or non-religious stand you have in life.
Love is not a religion or political tool. Neither is compassion.
If you made it this far, then thanks for reading.
-- Joe Rutland
Friday, August 28, 2009
Thursday, August 20, 2009
Clink, clank, clunk ...
That great rush into automotive dealerships for the "Cash for Clunkers" deal will now end Monday.
The federal government has decided to stop the program. Reimbursements back to car dealers taking part in this plan have been slow on their return.
New York's state automotive group recently pulled out of the program.
Did the program work? Well, from a "bring customers through the doors" perspective, it might be called successful.
My sense, though, is ... once again ... governmental bureaucracy trying to stick its hand into the business world has been burned.
It's not a new trick. Doesn't matter who president of this country is, either.
Been there, done that ... and will be done again.
For a while, though, people were coming in to trade those gas-guzzling old bags for sleeker, sexier models to drive. Those newer cars also will provide safer emissions along with great gas mileage.
It was fun while it lasted.
Let's wait for the next quick-fix program to come along.
-- Joe Rutland
The federal government has decided to stop the program. Reimbursements back to car dealers taking part in this plan have been slow on their return.
New York's state automotive group recently pulled out of the program.
Did the program work? Well, from a "bring customers through the doors" perspective, it might be called successful.
My sense, though, is ... once again ... governmental bureaucracy trying to stick its hand into the business world has been burned.
It's not a new trick. Doesn't matter who president of this country is, either.
Been there, done that ... and will be done again.
For a while, though, people were coming in to trade those gas-guzzling old bags for sleeker, sexier models to drive. Those newer cars also will provide safer emissions along with great gas mileage.
It was fun while it lasted.
Let's wait for the next quick-fix program to come along.
-- Joe Rutland
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Combs takes quick tour of border ...
State Comptroller Susan Combs made a quick trip through Laredo on Tuesday.
Part of her trip involved a tour of the World Trade Bridge, led by local officials.
The big reason for Combs' visit was to present a $25 million scholarship initiative toward providing grants and scholarships for career and technical education.
Combs also said more Fortune 500 companies were now within Texas' borders than any other state in the United States.
Combs, who will seek re-election as State Comptroller, was on point with her comments, took questions from the gathered masses at Laredo Community College and was on her way back to Austin.
She did say one of the reasons Texas has been able to weather a national and global economic slowdown -- also called a recession, OK -- is a diverse workforce and a healthy rainy-day fund.
"We didn't get a state budget with an insatiable appetite," Combs said after her official remarks.
For more information on the efforts Combs spoke of on Tuesday, check out the Web site www.everychanceeverytexan.org.
-- Joe Rutland
Part of her trip involved a tour of the World Trade Bridge, led by local officials.
The big reason for Combs' visit was to present a $25 million scholarship initiative toward providing grants and scholarships for career and technical education.
Combs also said more Fortune 500 companies were now within Texas' borders than any other state in the United States.
Combs, who will seek re-election as State Comptroller, was on point with her comments, took questions from the gathered masses at Laredo Community College and was on her way back to Austin.
She did say one of the reasons Texas has been able to weather a national and global economic slowdown -- also called a recession, OK -- is a diverse workforce and a healthy rainy-day fund.
"We didn't get a state budget with an insatiable appetite," Combs said after her official remarks.
For more information on the efforts Combs spoke of on Tuesday, check out the Web site www.everychanceeverytexan.org.
-- Joe Rutland
State Comptroller Susan Combs in town Tuesday ...
Just a quick update: State Comptroller Susan Combs will be speaking at Laredo Community College this morning. We'll have an update online here at Coffee Talk Live later Tuesday.
-- Joe Rutland
-- Joe Rutland
Thursday, August 6, 2009
Texas Center says 'thank you' to data providers ...
The Texas Center for Border Economic and Enterprise Development, a featured data provider for key indicators through the U.S.-Mexico border region, provided a "thank you" luncheon Thursday at Texas A&M International University.
City Manager Carlos Villarreal and Laredo Police Department Chief Carlos Maldonado offered welcomes to a pretty full house at the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative building's Fernando A. Salinas Room. Gerry Schwebel, executive vice president with IBC Bank, and Sylvia Martinez of the U.S. Census Bureau spoke to those gathered.
Visitors from Rio Grande Valley city Pharr, including Mayor Leo "Polo" Palacios Jr., and Del Rio were among the guests along with City of Laredo and Webb County representatives.
The Texas Center, led by Director Herbert A. Molina, and his support staff did a pretty good thing by inviting those whom have helped provide the center key data for nearly 20 years. A simple gesture like this can go a long way toward developing and firming up coalitions and connections.
Good job, Texas Center.
-- Joe Rutland
City Manager Carlos Villarreal and Laredo Police Department Chief Carlos Maldonado offered welcomes to a pretty full house at the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative building's Fernando A. Salinas Room. Gerry Schwebel, executive vice president with IBC Bank, and Sylvia Martinez of the U.S. Census Bureau spoke to those gathered.
Visitors from Rio Grande Valley city Pharr, including Mayor Leo "Polo" Palacios Jr., and Del Rio were among the guests along with City of Laredo and Webb County representatives.
The Texas Center, led by Director Herbert A. Molina, and his support staff did a pretty good thing by inviting those whom have helped provide the center key data for nearly 20 years. A simple gesture like this can go a long way toward developing and firming up coalitions and connections.
Good job, Texas Center.
-- Joe Rutland
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
IBC posts 3.2 percent earnings increase ...
Local mega-financial institution IBC released its earnings report for the first six months of 2009. Here's a rundown released after the stock market closed on Tuesday:
International Bancshares Corporation reported Tuesday net income of $68.7 million for the six months ending June 30, an increase of 3.2 percent compared to the same period of 2008.
Net income for the three months ending June 30 was $31.1 million, a decrease of 5.8 percent compared to the same period of 2008, prior to amounts related to participation in the Troubled Assets Relief Program — including preferred stock dividends and amounts related to the warrants.
After these TARP program amounts, net income for the second quarter of 2009 applicable to common shareholders was $27.9 million as compared to $33 million for the same period in 2008. The 2008 period does not reflect any TARP amounts as those funds were not received until Dec. 23, 2008.
Net income was negatively impacted during the first six months by an increase in the provision for probable loan losses, which IBC recorded during the first and second quarter of 2009. Additionally, IBC was negatively impacted by an industry-wide FDIC special assessment, resulting in an after-tax charge to earnings of $3.3 million.
“I’m extremely pleased with the results for the first six months of 2009, especially in light of this difficult banking environment,” said Dennis Nixon, IBC president and chief executive officer. “Our strong performance has provided the company with the ability to offset the costs of the industry-wide FDIC special assessment and the increasing loan provisioning for probable loan losses.”
Net income was positively affected by the increasing net interest margin of IBC, and gains on sales of investment securities of approximately $7.2 million, after tax.
Total assets as of June 30 were $11.5 billion, compared to $12.4 billion on Dec. 31, 2008.
International Bancshares Corporation reported Tuesday net income of $68.7 million for the six months ending June 30, an increase of 3.2 percent compared to the same period of 2008.
Net income for the three months ending June 30 was $31.1 million, a decrease of 5.8 percent compared to the same period of 2008, prior to amounts related to participation in the Troubled Assets Relief Program — including preferred stock dividends and amounts related to the warrants.
After these TARP program amounts, net income for the second quarter of 2009 applicable to common shareholders was $27.9 million as compared to $33 million for the same period in 2008. The 2008 period does not reflect any TARP amounts as those funds were not received until Dec. 23, 2008.
Net income was negatively impacted during the first six months by an increase in the provision for probable loan losses, which IBC recorded during the first and second quarter of 2009. Additionally, IBC was negatively impacted by an industry-wide FDIC special assessment, resulting in an after-tax charge to earnings of $3.3 million.
“I’m extremely pleased with the results for the first six months of 2009, especially in light of this difficult banking environment,” said Dennis Nixon, IBC president and chief executive officer. “Our strong performance has provided the company with the ability to offset the costs of the industry-wide FDIC special assessment and the increasing loan provisioning for probable loan losses.”
Net income was positively affected by the increasing net interest margin of IBC, and gains on sales of investment securities of approximately $7.2 million, after tax.
Total assets as of June 30 were $11.5 billion, compared to $12.4 billion on Dec. 31, 2008.
Monday, August 3, 2009
Down in the Valley ...
I just returned from a weekend trip to South Padre Island. It was my first time in that part of Texas ... which is weird because I am a lifelong Texan. Anyway, while driving through the Rio Grande Valley (also a first for me, too), I decided to make a "Coffee Talk Live" video commentary. It's longer than the usual ones which are on our LMT Business Journal Online Web site. So here goes:
-- Joe Rutland
-- Joe Rutland
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