Posts Made By: david elosser

If it were me I'd do this. It's clear the American people don't want the Democrats health care "reform." Obama's poll numbers continue to tank whenever he starts putting emphasis on health care reform (versus, say, our economy and job creation). I would use that to the advantage and go on the offensive. I'd tell Obama, Reid and Pelosi that the reconciliation move is totally off the table or no meeting will take place. Reconciliation will leave the Republicans out of the loop, and yet Obama now insists they be brought into the loop, right? What good would it do if Obama wants "bipartisan meetings" if they plan on shoving it through with reconciliation, so why even consider it?

And don't depend on the main stream media to get their side out, they need to use alternative methods. They need to stress that:
OBAMA'S PROPOSAL SUMMARY:
USES WORD 'TAX' 35 TIMES...
Increases in fees on pharmaceuticals'...
Increases taxes...
Creates government 'Comprehensive Database' On Health Claims...
Raises the amount that individuals pay if they choose not to become insured...
And this just in: Healthcare Funds will be transferred to the Social Security Trust if necessary!

Looks like Boehner is indeed taking the offensive:
"The President has crippled the credibility of this week’s summit by proposing the same massive government takeover of health care based on a partisan bill the American people have already rejected...This week’s summit clearly has all the makings of a Democratic infomercial for continuing on a partisan course that relies on more backroom deals and parliamentary tricks to circumvent the will of the American people and jam through a massive government takeover of health care... The best way to protect families and small businesses in this time of economic uncertainty is to start over with a step-by-step approach to health care reform focused on lowering costs, and that’s exactly what Republicans are fighting for...

http://republicanleader.house.gov/News/DocumentSingle.aspx?DocumentID=171326

David E

Man, you liberals are hopeless. First you complain that the Republicans are being partisan on the $trillion HCR, but then some Rebubs join the Dems on a measly $15 billion jobs bill and you label them turn-coats. You've got to remember that Brown comes from a state, a very liberal state, and a very small state population-wise with a very high unemployment, and like most states it took a sudden upturn in unemployment in December. Yeah, I would have liked to see the first stimulus bill run its course before a new one passed (as the funds are not entirely spent yet). But this new bill is not entirely pork, as there is also some benefits and relief for those still currently out of work. I don't consider these benefits pork, as it continues to help people out of a job to continue paying their bills, keep their houses and their health care coverage. Not doing so could potentially cost our society more than the benefits paid out. And the fact is, Brown is still holding steadfast to his main campaign promise of defeating the Democrats Tax-and-Spend bill aka "Health Care Reform."

David E

So what's Obama supposed to do about it?

David E

Rod Kaufman said:
Does this not say something about his judgment?

I often wonder the same thing about those who voted for Obama.

David E

I hesitate to say this, but I'm beginning to think that Obama is one element shy of a Petzval, if you catch my meaning. First there's his recent remark that his health reform bill will reduce employers' premiums by three thousand percent, and now this reference to an apparently non-existant recent devastating earthquake in Hawaii. I believe what he is trying to say is that the "Louisiana Purchase" is a provision that provides extra health care funding for states that have suffered a natural disaster. He is either so inept that he cannot comprehend what he reads, or he is lying. I've read the language of the bill myself of the "Purchase." It is specific to Louisiana and applies to no other state either now or in the future. It is clearly a buy-off and the American people understand this.

BTW this is not the first time Medicaid kickbacks have taken place. Back in 1997 the state of Alaska received basically the same treatment:

"A similar experiment occurred for Alaska after the 1997 Balanced Budget Act. That act increased the rate at which the federal government matched Medicaid spending from $1 for each $1 spent by the state to $1.50 for each $1 spent. While the increase was nowhere near as bloated as what is being proposed for Louisiana, the effect was dramatic.

Alaskan legislators used the discretion allowed them to increase who was covered and the beneficiary payments per recipient. Per capita Medicaid spending went from growing at the national average to growing at more than three times the national rate. We can only assume that this increased Medicaid use increased overall demand for health care in the Last Frontier and thus raised health care costs for everyone else in the state.

If a 50 percent increase in matching payments had this effect for Alaska, it's hard to imagine what a 400 percent increase would do to Louisiana's Medicaid expenditures. Nearly 30 percent of Louisiana's residents are already enrolled in Medicaid. Even if the number of those eligible were somehow magically not to change, the potential cost of expanded benefits is huge. It boggles the mind that this legislation is being sold as a way to get costs under control."

http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2009/nov/30/the-300-million-louisiana-purchase/

David E

Average intelligence and levels of education are probably higher among Cartoon Network viewers...

David E

"The reconciliation bill, however, also would subject the investment income of high-income households, such as dividends, interest and rent, to a 3.8% Medicare tax."

So, this is what we want? We want our senior citizens to start paying a 4% FICA tax on their interest, capital gains and dividends out of their 401K's and IRA's when they retire? That on top of the 30%-60% of state and federal taxes they will have to pay on that income when they retire? Fifteen percent of every dollar they earn over their lifetimes isn't enough anymore? And to pay out what? A measly $1000 or so every month of what's left of their lives, and a government insurance plan that is so inadequate you have to pay additional premiums and buy additional policies just to have decent health care coverage?

David E

I think there should be a Cash For Aperture Rebate. Turn in your old Chinese achromat for a genuine 5" Apo Triplet with Japanese or Russian glass, and get up to a $4500 rebate. Your old achromat will have to be destroyed so that someone cannot reuse the objective of course, but no big deal there! I'm sure that will save or create a bunch a jobs! Sixty thousand at least, for sure!!!


David E

Dwight Bogan said:
If every citizen is purchasing their own insurance what is it that the Government is providing us with? 8O

Bankruptcy.

Steve Thornton said:
The polls(USA Today/Gallup) now show the American people supporting reform by 49% to 40%.

"Just before the House of Representatives passed sweeping health care legislation last Sunday, 41% of voters nationwide favored the legislation while 54% were opposed. Now that President Obama has signed the legislation into law, most voters want to see it repealed."

"Most senior citizens (59%) also favor repeal... Seniors use the health care system more than anyone else."

http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/current_events/healthcare/march_2010/55_favor_repeal_of_health_care_bill

David E