congressman Hensarling town hall

[powerboatr]

Last week we had the pleasure if him visiting wood county ( he visits often) for a town hall of sorts. I liked the guy before, but now I really respect what he does.

I have a pretty good written rapport with his office and he always writes or emails back in a timely manner.

He addressed the voter ID challenge and couldn't understand why some are fighting it, as it protects our voting rights and ensures one vote per person.
Texas already provides free ID cards to those who cannot afford the 15 dollar fee. You have to have ID to cash a check or pick up prescriptions, its a real dumb argument to not have some sort of ID check at the polls.

He is a strong supporter of firearms and our rights to own and purchase. Someone asked about the national effort to make it legal to carry firearms across states uncased or cased, (in those states that restrict it now). I have to research it as I was lost.

He is strongly for oil related industry and jobs, along with other sources of energy. He is also very vocal on Texas agriculture and that we export many many tons of grains and cotton for manufacturing around the world.

Bryan Hughes was there but did not take questions, He is our state legislature person.....not impressed with his record to date, especially with our water disputes and poor regulation out of the TCEQ.

He was also asked about the GZ and TM case....he was selective but honest answers.

I was going to ask why the AG hasnt arrested the new black panthers for hate crimes and setting a bounty dead or alive on GZ, but we rant out of time.
He did comment that the current admin, simply doesn't have its priorities straight on legal issues and immigration.

[stroguy]

Does he have a CHL and carry?

[powerboatr]

Does he have a CHL and carry?

he wasnt carrying at the meeting.....but the two policemen were

[Oldgringo]

I asked him and Cornyn, via e-mail, what congress was going to do about the hearing aid racket. I've yet to hear anything from either.

Perhaps someone here can tell us Seniors why an iPad that knows and does everything with a tiny microphone costs $500 and a hearing aid that is only a tiny microphone and knows nothing costs $5,000, huh?

[stroguy]

What?

[wharvey]

I asked him and Cornyn, via e-mail, what congress was going to do about the hearing aid racket. I've yet to hear anything from either.

Perhaps someone here can tell us Seniors why an iPad that knows and does everything with a tiny microphone costs $500 and a hearing aid that is only a tiny microphone and knows nothing costs $5,000, huh?

iPad as well as ALL other computers know absolutely nothing and can do absolutely nothing. They simply follow a set up instructions called forth by user actions.

All that being said, I do understand what you are saying. I have a serious hearing loss myself. The reason for the price difference is simple. Hearing aids are medical equipment and there for must, in theory, be build to higher standards and MORE IMPORTANTLY open to HUGH civil lawsuits. No one I've ever hear of has sued Apple for an ear ache, stumped toe, or any other reason the new breed of ambulance chasers can find.

[Oldgringo]

I asked him and Cornyn, via e-mail, what congress was going to do about the hearing aid racket. I've yet to hear anything from either.

Perhaps someone here can tell us Seniors why an iPad that knows and does everything with a tiny microphone costs $500 and a hearing aid that is only a tiny microphone and knows nothing costs $5,000, huh?

iPad as well as ALL other computers know absolutely nothing and can do absolutely nothing. They simply follow a set up instructions called forth by user actions.

All that being said, I do understand what you are saying. I have a serious hearing loss myself. The reason for the price difference is simple. Hearing aids are medical equipment and there for must, in theory, be build to higher standards and MORE IMPORTANTLY open to HUGH civil lawsuits. No one I've ever hear of has sued Apple for an ear ache, stumped toe, or any other reason the new breed of ambulance chasers can find.

I hear ( ) some of what you're saying. What I do hear sounds more like an excuse rather than a reason. I still think it's a racket and that industry needs some CHANGE.

[gdanaher]

Perhaps someone here can tell us Seniors why an iPad that knows and does everything with a tiny microphone costs $500 and a hearing aid that is only a tiny microphone and knows nothing costs $5,000, huh?

I'm a Lion. We deal primarily with vision issues but get hit up from time to time by someone who needs a hearing aid so I have some experience here. Beltone is the leading, visible, retailer of hearing aids in the US. Typically they work out of free standing buildings and may have one or two customers a day if they are lucky. The sales guy's salary is based entirely on what the store can make less non-employee overhead such as rent and power and profit for the franchise owner. The products they sell are of the highest quality. The issue though is supply, demand, and volume (no pun). It probably only costs a few hundred dollars to make the things, but shelf time, inventory and stocking costs, as well as employee costs force the price up and that is where the $5k price tag comes from. There are alternatives. No, they are not Beltone, but they can work just fine for most folks. If you can find this news group, you can Google around and find alternatives. I am aware of some devices that retail in the $100 range, so don't panic about the pricing and do a little hunting. Good luck.

[Oldgringo]

Costco has hearing aids and they ain't cheap there either? At the Costco in Kalispell last summer, they were in the 2-3 grand range rather than the 5 grand range. So much for the 2-3 customer per day excuse.

[gdanaher]

http://www.mdhearingaid.com/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[cling]

I hear ( ) some of what you're saying. What I do hear sounds more like an excuse rather than a reason. I still think it's a racket and that industry needs some CHANGE.

Here's your chance to put your money where your mouth is and become a multi-millionaire.

Or buy one of these if you don't need a high tech hearing aid. https://www.silversonicxl.com/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[Oldgringo]

Thank you, gdanaher and cling.

I, and I expect others, will look into your suggestions. These are kinda' like CC. If half the people are walking around with some sort of ear bud, who's to point out the old deaf guy?

[Dave2]

I asked him and Cornyn, via e-mail, what congress was going to do about the hearing aid racket. I've yet to hear anything from either.

Perhaps someone here can tell us Seniors why an iPad that knows and does everything with a tiny microphone costs $500 and a hearing aid that is only a tiny microphone and knows nothing costs $5,000, huh?

iPad as well as ALL other computers know absolutely nothing and can do absolutely nothing. They simply follow a set up instructions called forth by user actions.

All that being said, I do understand what you are saying. I have a serious hearing loss myself. The reason for the price difference is simple. Hearing aids are medical equipment and there for must, in theory, be build to higher standards and MORE IMPORTANTLY open to HUGH civil lawsuits. No one I've ever hear of has sued Apple for an ear ache, stumped toe, or any other reason the new breed of ambulance chasers can find.

Also, hearing aids are (usually) slightly smaller than iPads, and miniaturization isn't free.