Amy and Richard Bernard

Health Care Bill

2009-12-11T20:18:00.000-08:00

Please take the time to read this entire message. Your freedom is at stake.
Our founding Fathers were very concerned about a strong federal government, for this reason they adopted the Articles of Confederation which give the states most of the power and left a central government unable to govern. Over time events such as Shay’s Rebellion taught them that giving all of the power to the states was not a workable solution. When they met again they abandoned the Articles and wrote the Constitution trying the best they could to establish a union with a set of checks and balances; this has served us well.
Throughout our history there have been those that have tried and succeeded in increasing the role of the Federal Government by going around the Constitution. The latest attempt is the Health Care Bill (HCB). If the bill passes we will see the end of a life as we know it; our freedom will greatly be diminished.
For nearly twenty years I worked in the health insurance industry and earned what is the equivalent of a degree in health insurance. I would be the first to agree that we don’t have a perfect health care system, but I will state emphatically that it is the best in the world despite its weaknesses. I encourage you to do your homework. Study what National Health Care has done to England, Canada and most of Europe.
I have not read the entire bill but I have read portions of it and have read opinions that support and oppose it. The conclusion that I have come to is we are in great danger. We must act and act now!
The issue of the HCB is not about being a Republican or a Democrat or about being a Conservative or Liberal; it is about power and who will weld that power. History has taught us that when a strong central government starts making decisions for the individual - tyranny follows. Our founding Fathers fear of a strong federal government was based on experience and we should not take their wisdom lightly. We are coming to a time when the Constitution may be hanging by a thread.
When the HCB was proposed it was under the guise of helping the economy and making sure that 24 million uninsured Americans will have coverage. Analysis of the bill has shown the cost of the bill will not help the economy but rather make it worse. In addition, the current bill will still leave 24 million American’s uninsured and that is according to Senator Harry Reid who is sponsoring the bill. Notice that the original purpose of the bill is not being met, but that is not important to those that support it, because it is about the federal government gaining more power and not about health care.
I challenge anyone to find a government agency that is run efficiently and under or at budget. Give me one example when the cost of something proposed by a state or the federal government proved in realty to be accurate; it is always worse than projected.
We must act if we are to preserve our freedom. I ask each of you to study this matter out carefully and if you agree with me to contact EVERY Senator and tell them to vote no on the bill. Let them know that you will do everything in your power to see that they will not win the next election if they support the HCB. I understand that you cannot vote for a Senator that is outside your State, but you can support those who run against them by sending money.
Please call, email and fax each Senator at their local and national offices (see list below). Let your message be short and sweet “Do not support the HCB. I will be watching you. If you vote for it you will be removed from office at the next election.”
On Tuesday, December 15th in Washington D.C. there will be a rally called Code Red to protest the HCB. If you can go I encourage you to do so. I seriously thought about going but for various reasons decided that I cannot go. But I can do something locally and so can you – call, email, fax and show up at the local offices. Use all of the forms of communication to let them know you are upset.
While poll data can be misleading most of the recent polls shows that 61% of American’s oppose the Senate bill, but our Senators are not listening, they no longer represent us; we no longer have a republic.
Those that support the bill want you to feel that you are powerless and the passing of the bill is inevitable but that is not true. We do have power but we must act. Yes, it will take time but we cannot allow what is happening to take place.
Please, this is not a matter to take lightly. We cannot sit and be an observer. We are either for it or against it; action is the only thing that matters.
Please pass this email on to everyone you know.
Richard Bernard
There are many lists on the internet here are two that you might find useful.

How to email the Senators and their fax numbers

Here is a list of their addresses and other information. Click on their website to find their local offices

Family reunion

2009-08-22T17:15:00.000-07:00

Friday night after making smores we came upon a drum circle on the beach and visitors were welcome to participate.
Here Grandpa and Junior show the others how it is done.

Family reunion

2009-08-22T17:06:00.000-07:00

Friday night was spend making smores; a first for Marie. The other pictures show some of the others things we did.

Family Reunion

2009-08-22T16:59:00.000-07:00

Sebastian pointing to where the geocache should have been. The last item had to be recorded as not found. Apparently someone had found it and removed it.

Family Reunion

2009-08-22T15:36:00.000-07:00

Well, the day started easy enough but proved far more difficult than we planned. We went geocaching and had a real adventure.
Geocaching is high-tech treasure hunting. Using a GPS we searched for hidden geocaches (containers). Inside the containers are various objects from a simple piece of papers to record that you found it, to objects such as key chains, pictures etc.
We took off with high hopes of finding unknown treasures. We searched for three and found two. We walked nearly 3 miles (some claimed it was much further than that). While walking we heard the time-old phrase, "Are we there yet?" However, it was not the children asking the question but some of the adults.
Some of the geocaches were easy to find. The last one was the hardest and we risked life and limb to try to find it.
In the first picture Sebastian and Marie found one of the geocaches. Junior was the navigator. The final hunt was the most challenging. The remaining pictures show the hunters trying to safely enter the river bed. Of course, it would have been easier and safer to walk further down the road to the bike trail but some of the members would rather by pass a locked gate (I wonder why that gate was locked?) than to walk any further. Fortunately we were able to make it to the river bed safely.
After arriving home safely it was time to take a well earned nap. Rest of the day was spent complaining about aches and pains and reliving the adventure.

Family Reunion

2009-08-21T06:59:00.000-07:00

As of Thursday afternoon everyone has arrived. the first day was used for people to get settled in. For the evening we had a BBQ (chicken and round steak wrapped in bacon), baked potato, corn and salad.
After dinner we had a game night. Everyone participated in Wacko for several rounds and then some left the game to play a few rounds of pool.
After the games we had a family council to get feedback from everyone about having regular family reunions. All were very enthusiastic about making this a regular event. Some discussion was had about should it be every year or every two years. We also discussed the possibility of the next site and who should sponsor it. Nothing was decided at the meeting because there purpose was to get people thinking about these various areas. We will continue the discussion Friday night. The evening ended with dessert with a choice of chocolate cake or Dyer's Fruit Bars.
Friday morning, we will be going Geocaching for the first time then everyone will be on their own until dinner. Some are planning on bicycle rides, time at the beach or pool and etc.

Video: The Pool Sharks

Adam's Birthday

2009-06-08T22:59:00.000-07:00

Today we celebrated Adam's birthday. Here is the first live video of the event. OK, now get ready... to sing... Happy Birthday!

2009 Tax Revolt

2009-03-08T20:39:00.000-07:00

Yes, we were there in Fullerton for the 2009 tax revolt. How many were actually there I don't know, but the various news agencies and police estimated somewhere between 8,000 to 15,000 people. All I know is that it was wall-to-wall people. This was Amy's first political rally and we both joined in shouting with the crowd. We thought that you might enjoy seeing a few pictures of us there.
Notice that everyone is dressed casually except us. We just finished working at the temple and drove straight to the rally.

Below is a short video taken from Richard's phone.

Harbor Cruise

2008-12-21T23:07:00.000-08:00

Last night we took Richard's Mother to see the Huntington Beach Harbor tour. Bob decided not to go. The tour was about an hour. It consisted of cruising by houses and the yachts of the wealthy that were decorated with lights for the Christmas Season. Hey, we know how to have fun! For those of you who missed the tour take a look at what you missed.

(For the techno geeks this video was a live feed from my phone. While it is recording the video is being sent directly to a website and can be viewed live. Once the video is finished it is stored at the same website. One can film as long as they want but make you have an unlimited data on your phone. If you are interested in learning about the site go to Qik.com. For me it has some useful application. For example, a car accident. Record the cars involved, license numbers and the people involved etc. )

Here is a Amy and Mother enjoying the cruise.

A Great Talk

2008-12-14T18:07:00.000-08:00

Today Tara gave a wonderful talk. She had an active part in the Young Women's presentation for Sacrament; she was one of several that give talks. All of the young women participated in their great choir. A very nice and spiritual Sacrament meeting.

Tammy's Mother Day Gift from 2006

2008-12-11T00:13:00.000-08:00

I know, I know! It has been two years and I just got this uploaded. What can I say except that it probably would have never happened if Amy had not asked how to upload video to the site. She asked; I did it. Now I hope you enjoy it.

Tara's Birthday Bash

2008-10-20T13:30:00.001-07:00

Here is the birthday girl. Very cute, but what is actually going on in her head when these were taken?

Tara's Birthday Bash

2008-10-20T13:30:00.000-07:00

Here are some pictures of Tara's birthday party at the Macaroni Grill in Monrovia.

Tara's Birthday Bash

2008-10-20T13:28:00.000-07:00

Tate's Baptism

2008-09-07T13:40:00.000-07:00

Here he is, already for his baptism.

A Day In Santa Monica With Segways

2008-08-25T21:14:00.000-07:00

All week we have been anxiously waiting for today. We had the opportunity to tour Santa Monica and Venice beaches on Segways. One thing that we noticed is that if you want people to stare at you and smile just ride a Segway.
Before being allowed to take off we had to watch a 15 minute video on the operation and safety of the Segway and then practice in the store for about 10 minutes. Then our host took us outside to test are new Segway skills so after about another 10 minutes we were on our own. We had a wonderful two hours riding, listening to music on our iPods, talking and sight-seeing. We then turned in the Segways and discovered that our legs felt really different. We think it is the equivalent of getting our land-legs back.
We then went to a hat store in Santa Monica for Richard to buy a new fedora. His old one either shrunk or his head is getting bigger (I know that leaves a lot room for jokes). This was the only store in Los Angeles area that sells a wide selection of fedoras. We then finished off the day with a late lunch at Junior's (one of Amy's favorites) in West Los Angeles.
When we got home we took a nap - I think that has something to do with age.