AP: Say, guess what we just found in ObamaCare!
posted at 10:55 am on March 26, 2010 by Ed Morrissey
Congress passed the bill without knowing what was in it. Barack Obama signed it without reading it. Now it looks as though the Associated Press reported on ObamaCare without comprehending its content. Readers will have to scroll far down to discover that the elimination of a key tax break that kept retirees on company prescription-medication plans will mean dumping millions of seniors onto Medicare — and that the AP ignored it until now:
The health care overhaul will cost U.S. companies billions and make them more likely to drop prescription drug coverage for retirees because of a change in how the government subsidizes those benefits.
In the first two days after the law was signed, three major companies — Deere & Co., Caterpillar Inc. and Valero Energy — said they expect to take a total hit of $265 million to account for smaller tax deductions in the future.
With more than 3,500 companies now getting the tax break as an incentive to keep providing coverage, others are almost certain to announce similar cost increases in the weeks ahead as they sort out the impact of the change.
Figuring out what it will mean for retirees will take longer, but analysts said as many as 2 million could lose the prescription drug coverage provided by their former employers, leaving them to enroll in Medicare’s program.
Over the past year, I’ve repeatedly warned about the dangers of static tax analysis. That process considers changes in tax policy without considering its impact on behavior. The closure of this “loophole,” as Robert Gibbs called it yesterday, is a perfect example of this stunted thinking.
The Democrats in Congress argued that they would gain $5.4 billion in revenue by eliminating the tax break enacted in the 2003 Medicare Part D program as an incentive for businesses to keep their retirees out of the Medicare system. Instead, they have given businesses a reason to dump their retirees out of the private networks and into the Part D system now. Not only will the expected tax revenues never appear, but now we will have to spend a lot more money covering those prescriptions out of public funds. The seniors in these programs will suffer most of all, as the Part D coverage is vastly inferior to the private plans offered by businesses in the private sector.
Who could have foreseen this? Well, businesses have been trying to get attention to this problem for months, as the AP somewhat belatedly reports:
Industry groups say they lobbied hard against the change in the tax rules before it was added to the health care law over the winter.
“It was in all of our letters and communications that went up to the Hill, and the companies were heavily involved in that,” said Dena Battle, a tax specialist with the National Association of Manufacturers.
Nationwide, companies would take a $14 billion hit on their financial statements if all of the roughly 3,500 companies receiving the subsidies continued to do so, according to a study by Towers Watson, a human resources consulting firm.
For months, businesses have warned about the problem, and for months, Democrats have claimed this clause as a $5.4 billion revenue source. One might think that the media would be interested in puncturing some bad assumptions. Apparently not.
Blowback
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–They’re touring this summer with The Eagles and Keith Urban. WashJeff can see them at Soldier Field. No dates announced yet in MT or Dakotas or TX. I still like their music quite a bit. (And, not to get into any arguments, but I don’t think their comment on Bush was that far off the mark when considering the last several years of his term in particular).
Jimbo3 on March 26, 2010 at 1:47 PM
I have an excess of horses. I want to sell them.
Oh wait-I can’t. The courts have shut down the slaughter plants in the US. Now they’re not worth anything.
It’s actually cheaper & easier for me to:
1. abandon them on federal lands (easily done since they are not branded)
2. Take care of them the old fashioned way. Take your pick of Winchesters.
There was a time when an excess of horses meant cash flow on farms & ranches.
Thanks big govt.
Badger40 on March 26, 2010 at 1:50 PM
FYI on the prescription drug reimbursement issue. This is from the House website (I stumbled on it when trying to find out the answer for Janie59). If this is correct (and I find it hard to believe that it is), this means that companies were both not including the Government’s retiree prescription drug subsidy in their gross income AND deducting that subsidy (which wasn’t the company’s money) from their income. That just strikes me as way wrong….
ELIMINATING THE DEDUCTION FOR EMPLOYER PART D SUBSIDY This provision eliminates the deduction for the subsidy for employers who maintain prescription drug plans for their Medicare Part D eligible retirees. The present law exclusion of the subsidy from an employer’s gross income is retained. The provision is effective in 2013.
Jimbo3 on March 26, 2010 at 1:54 PM
Dirty laundry in times of trouble should not be aired publicly.
But of course, that is their right.
It is my right to be offended & stop giving them my $$ by buying their music.
It is your right to continue to support their views by buying their music, which in turn gives them a public voice to spew such opinions.
You’ll get no argument from me Jimbo on that.
And as far as Keith Urban goes-IMHO what he sings is not music.
Only the best will do for me:
Chris LeDoux (the old stuff)
Merle
Bocephus
Willie
Toby
George
Hank: Thompson & Williams
Marty Robbins
etc….
And I’ll add Brad Paisley to that.
I like him.
I just hope he doesn’t pi$$ me off & open his mouth to spew stupid $hit like the Chicks did.
Badger40 on March 26, 2010 at 1:54 PM
I for one am disgusted with the lame stream media. The way they were cheerleaders for this insane health giveaway plan that will no doubt break the bank is unforgivable. I can’t hardly watch football games the LSM even with the sound on mute. I will never again buy a GM car, and will never again vote for a democrat.
They just don’t seem to appreciate the reality that subsidizing failure and and punishing achievement is a prescription for our demise. How can they rationalize that pushing people through lucrative incentives to be lazy, useless, and un-productive will serve the United States?
A strong economy does more that any Robin Hood gimmik ever did, and they are pushing our economy off a cliff. And this guy is supposed to be smart? I guess he wants slavery reporations more than active people working and reaching for self respect from a fair day’s pay for a fair days work.
They seem to want everyone slopping at the public trough.
saiga on March 26, 2010 at 1:57 PM
The key words are “most states.” For example, Pennsylvanis does not have such a pool. The only thing it offers is the Adult Basic program which has a huge waiting list…390,000. You can buy hospitalization while on the waiting list which was $313 a month for basic coverage. That was just increased by 92% to $600. Now here’s the kicker, since the price has become so exorbitant, only those who have chronic illnesses or are sickest will apply. But because Adult Basic cannot afford to cover such patients, only about 1/3 of those on the waiting list will be able to enter the program.
Deanna on March 26, 2010 at 2:02 PM
Remember how they railed on Bush?
I can’t wait till Obama is gone because I for one will never forget and will blame Obama for everything bad in the future.
saiga on March 26, 2010 at 2:07 PM
This is so freaking typical of the way people think. The Democrats are doing their best to turn everything upside down and yet the media just refuses to see it until it is too late.
Jimbo, the point is the Democrats are lying to people and screwing with them. Go ahead, blame the companies, blame the bad business people who actually employ people and give a pass to the parasitic politicians who bleed them dry.
The truth is the Democrats hated Bush and they hated the programs he had anything to do with, that means Health Savings Accounts are on their way out, Medicare Advantage is on its way out and they are going to do their best to the Part D program and turn it into a public plan, vs a public/private plan. The point being to stick it to the Republicans and spend more money while making people more dependent.
Terrye on March 26, 2010 at 2:09 PM
Thanks for the info. We’ll see what my premium goes up to starting next January. If the premium to cover her next year is still less than the credit I can take as Head of Household, then I will pay to cover her until she is 19. But once I lose that tax advantage I have no reason to cover her.
I’m very curious to see how the IRS enforces the fine if the courts don’t shoot it down. If they follow the Massachusetts example and only require one taxpayer ID per return, and not policy numbers per person, you could get away with not covering any of your kids. Pay for any routine doctors visits out of pocket. If the kids do get sick or break an arm, and the insurance company can’t refuse to take you, then pay for the high risk pool coverage then.
Insurance is a gamble.
Jaynie59 on March 26, 2010 at 2:15 PM
–I have tickets to see Paisley this summer in Dallas as part of a “new Country-type” five pack (Brooks and Dunn, Sugarland, McGraw and Lady Antebellum and a “Country Throwdown” with Montgomery Gentry). I checked and he is coming to Denver and Boise (I know– it’s “only” a 800-1000 miles trip for you, but it’s the closest that he’s scheduled to the Dakotas or Montana).
I like “new” Strait alot–especially the Troubadour CD–and some of his older stuff. I also like Willie and Toby, but am starting to be afraid I better see Willie in the next few years or else he may not be around (that should be easier for me to do being in TX). I’m obviously more new Country than old.
Jimbo3 on March 26, 2010 at 2:18 PM
~True, however better odds than trusting the current set of thugs in Washington, DC
Wade on March 26, 2010 at 2:25 PM
It’s the current thugs who passed this mandatory insurance bill.
Remember, this bill has nothing to do with healthcare. It’s about health insurance, not healthcare. Too many people don’t seem to understand that.
Jaynie59 on March 26, 2010 at 2:30 PM
right on, i hope the next gop president says ‘inherited’ quite a few times in his 1st 100 days
cmsinaz on March 26, 2010 at 2:32 PM
But won’t!
WashJeff on March 26, 2010 at 2:41 PM
FIFMyself
WashJeff on March 26, 2010 at 2:50 PM
REMEMBER IN NOVEMBER!
Seniors screwed by delusional Dem Utopians will know it’s time to send them packing.
profitsbeard on March 26, 2010 at 2:51 PM
WashJeff can see [the DixieChicks] at Soldier Field.
Jimbo3 on March 26, 2010 at 1:47 PM
But won’t!
–Well, they’re the opening act. You could still see Keith Urban and The Eagles if you wanted to drive for over two hours and pay $40 for parking.
Jimbo3 on March 26, 2010 at 2:55 PM
It’s amazing how many people do not realize what just happened to our country.
I was talking to a woman yesterday who works in the health care field and I asked her what she thought about ObamaCare… she said “If they try to FORCE people to buy health insurance, that is going to send people over the edge.”
I said, “What are you talking about “IF”?! They already passed it! It’s done! It is now a crime not to buy health insurance, if you can afford it. And, the IRS is going to report how much money you make to the Federal Gov’t so the Gov’t can fine you if you make enough money, but do not buy insurance!! They have already said that they are going to need 16,500 more IRS agents at a cost of $10 billion dollars to enforce it! It. Is. Done. Where have you been?!?”
She had no idea that mandating health insurance was in the bill and she refused to believe it.
I also had to explain to her how other parts of the law will eventually drive all private health insurers out of business and then the gov’t will be our only source of health insurance/health care.
She had no idea that the high-quality health care that our country has today is now officially a thing of the past for our children and grandchildren.
Our health care system will survive for a while… ObamaCare is not obvious like a heart attack, it is like a slow-growing malignant cancer… you don’t realize it when you get it, but you eventually die from it.
I’m afraid that is the same for 99% of Americans… they have no idea what just happened to our country.
painesright on March 26, 2010 at 2:56 PM
Did I say he should not use race in his comment? NO!
I made a very specific request.
From your remarks I can infer how important it is for you to defend rather than challenge ethnic-bias.
Your comments are like an exploded dye-pack from a botched bank-heist. I will add you and daesleeper to my list of bigot-sympathizers. Your instincts are to defend those people because you believe you are defending yourself because you are that kind of person.
I love it. A majority, an overwhelming majority of Hot Air readers gloss right over the most offensive comments about race, gender, ethnicity and sexual preference. This apathy reflects the general problem that GOP has with regards to race, ethnicity, homosexuality and public perceptions.
Here me now, believe me later. I welcome all taunts of RINO, lib, or playing “the race card.“
The Race Card on March 26, 2010 at 3:00 PM
great point
The Race Card on March 26, 2010 at 3:00 PM
What amazes me are the people who don’t know the difference between healthcare and health insurance. I was talking to a work friend who is an Obamabot. She was arguing with me about whether healthcare is a “right”. I said it wasn’t because in this country you don’t have the right to co-opt someone else’s labor. She got all mad and told me how her poor mother, who got laid off, got her COBRA and it was going to cost her $16,000 a year.
I asked my friend if her mother would pay more than that for healthcare. She had no idea what I meant. I asked her if her mother had some medical condition that would require her to pay more than the insurance premium of $16,000 and any co-pays. She really didn’t know what I was getting at. When she finally got it, she said “well, what if she has an accident?”. I said “what if she doesn’t?”. That’s what insurance is for.
I can’t even afford to have an accident with insurance. I have retiree benefits that are %80/%20. If I end up in the hospital I’m still facing a huge bill for that %20.
I plan on smoking and drinking myself to death. That’s a much more productive use of my hard earned money.
Jaynie59 on March 26, 2010 at 3:15 PM
That was scary. Reminds me of an old “Star Trek” episode.
Del Dolemonte on March 26, 2010 at 3:33 PM
Problem is, the Dixie Chicks were a “mainstream” country music act at the time. If they had a reputation for going after politicians a la Crosby Stills Nash and Young, it would never have been an issue. But their fans got rightly POed when they politicized their music.
I have no problem paying good money to hear Neil Young sing “Impeach Bush Now”, or whatever he called it, because he’s been singing stuff like that for 40 years. But when I go to see most musicians perform, I like most others want them to check their politics at the door. I’m paying them to entertain me, not to lecture me.
Del Dolemonte on March 26, 2010 at 3:43 PM
If I were a doctor I’d stop accepting insurance.
If I were an employer I’d stop providing health benefits.
That’s what this
billlaw encourages. Everything else is just conversation.JohnTant on March 26, 2010 at 3:47 PM
Spoken like someone who has never run a business.
The Race Card on March 26, 2010 at 3:53 PM
but, hey, “this ain’t too bad”, there “sun’s still shinin’” and “people are walking along the mall” so ya’ll just chill out, it’s all good.
/mccaskillandobama
ted c on March 26, 2010 at 3:58 PM
Flash: Breaking News – Associated Press to report that US astronauts have landed on the moon.
/sarc, what morons
Robert17 on March 26, 2010 at 4:03 PM
I’ll tell you something that is more serious, that is a congress and President that are passing and signing bills that they do not read. This is perhaps one of the greatest dangers our Republic is facing. Seriously. Not only do they not read them, they are keeping them from the Republicans and from the American people. God only knows what some staffer or group of unnamed individuals could slip into a bill one day.
JellyToast on March 26, 2010 at 4:11 PM
Gosh…taxing Seniors’ Health Care Plans.
How caring…/
kingsjester on March 26, 2010 at 4:21 PM
Ah Jimbo. We are really on some separate pages here.
I lament the death of ‘country’ music w/ today’s insipid characters at the helm like Putz McGraw (& BTW I thought he was a Putz BEFORE I ever knew he & his wife were rabid liberals), Brooks & Dunn (saw them in concert in Tacoma & they just did not turn my world), but Willie is great.
He still plays his old guitar w/ the hole in it.
Saw him at Prairie Knights indian casino a while back.
I’m sure Willie will be around for a while longer.
All that dope has mummified him.
I do have to say that Montgomery Gentry makes me want to barf.
But to each his own.
That is why this country is great. Bcs we are free to choose our vices without penalty.
Except for alcohol, tobacco, salty foods, dangerous activities like tanning, driving, I could go on here.
Have fun this summer Jimbo.
Badger40 on March 26, 2010 at 4:45 PM
I think they did read it, knew it was in there, and knew of the consequences of it being in there. Obviously they are trying to do away with employer-based health care coverage. That is why they eliminated this tax credit. That is also why the fine employers must pay for not providing health care insurance to their employees ($2,000) is so much less than what the employer must pay to provide health care insurance to their employees. Obviously, the employer is going to prefer to pay the fine.
DarkKnight3565 on March 26, 2010 at 4:53 PM
Still not my taste in music. Ironically, the artists I like either are socialists or probably socialists. Seems like a good artists has to be the emotional type to be good…at least to my ears. I could probably troll at dKos and they would recognize the music I listen to (e.g., (Lune, They MIght Be Giants, Poi Dog Pondering, Wilco, Black Rebel Motorcyle Gang, Pogues…).
WashJeff on March 26, 2010 at 4:57 PM
We all have them, no matter what ethnic group you’re in.
Question is, do you let it rule your life trying to police everyone, or do you pick your battles when it counts?
As a white woman at one time living in S. IN, I was discriminated against by black people all the time.
Race relations in S. IN used to be pretty tense (& sometimes still is).
The GOP does not own this problem. Dems & others do,too.
In fact, I would rather a man hate me outright bcs of race rather than pretend to be my friend, while condescending me all the while, by promoting programs that do nothing for my ethnic group but enslave it in poverty & ignorance.
The Dem party is a condescending sugar daddy playing w/ other people’s $$, but not all for them are that way, just like there are religous nutbags & homophobes in the GOP, but the majority are not like that.
I also find in my travels that people of ethnic minorities in this country oftentimes come off very defensive & militant, as is illustrated here on occasion.
Badger40 on March 26, 2010 at 4:57 PM
This is for Race Card-
Keith Urban is gay.
*throws up in mouth at thought of listening to his music*
Badger40 on March 26, 2010 at 4:59 PM
Spoken like someone who doesn’t work as a doctor, or at a doctor’s office.
CatsGodot on March 26, 2010 at 5:00 PM
Well at least 25 doctors & nurses I have spoken to in SW ND (& not a one I did speak to felt any other way) echo this sentiment.
These people do not want to take ins. from companies & the govt when they are not getting reimbursed.
To refuse them makes good business sense bcs you can only writeoff so much charitable work (i.e. low reimbursement rates from the govt.).
Badger40 on March 26, 2010 at 5:01 PM
Not my intended link (meant the actual NYT article), but, meh, it’ll do.
CatsGodot on March 26, 2010 at 5:01 PM
You’re not serious, are you? Where have you been hiding? The MSM in this country has been actively participating in its destruction for decades. At least 96% of the Media self-identify as Liberals/Progressives. Who do you think ran interference for Obama and willingly attacked his opponents while hiding incriminating info about him?
PakviRoti on March 26, 2010 at 5:03 PM
+100
The insurance industry got on board because they knew they’d be AnninCAed sooner or later. So they chose “later.”
Missy on March 26, 2010 at 5:05 PM
Yeah, pretty much all those bands fall into the not-conservatives camp, for sure. :)
Haven’t thought of Poi Dog in a long time (I’m in Austin btw).
Missy on March 26, 2010 at 5:07 PM
Because (A) they have been HQ in Chicago for the last 15 or so years and (B) they cut a album about every three years now, but their stuff is always good.
WashJeff on March 26, 2010 at 5:12 PM
How Stupakish of them…
Skywise on March 26, 2010 at 5:16 PM
Yeah, I know they’re in Chicago now. It just brought me back, is all. I feel old. :)
Missy on March 26, 2010 at 5:16 PM
Not 99%, but easily 50%…maybe a bit more. They are in for some very rude shocks, I’m looking forward to it. Already some Lefties I know have been shocked to the core of their beliefs by Obama’s actions. I shouldn’t call them Leftists, they were more of your Liberal/Progressive because it was cool sort, without actually understanding what was at the center of the ideology. Boy, are they having a hard time now! 8-)
PakviRoti on March 26, 2010 at 5:16 PM
why am I so suspicious of the AP doing these kinds of stories? Paranoia! Remains to be seen if it’s reasonable or unreasonable paranoia.
jeanie on March 26, 2010 at 5:17 PM
I defintely have not added many bands to my collection since college (1992), but I did like the stuff coming out of Austin at the time.
WashJeff on March 26, 2010 at 5:21 PM
Sounds like we were in college about the same time. I think based on your list, there are quite a few Austin bands you might dig.
Missy on March 26, 2010 at 5:26 PM
AP: American Pravda. Not a credible source.
Angry Dumbo on March 26, 2010 at 5:28 PM
Not to worry. The Democrats will pass Cap-and-Trade, impose carbon taxes on gasoline, and people won’t be able to afford to run their cars any more, and they’ll buy your horses for transportation.
Steve Z on March 26, 2010 at 5:28 PM
–Tell that to Nicole Kidman. I think she’d be surprised.
Jimbo3 on March 26, 2010 at 5:31 PM
–God I miss WXRT, but it is streamed so you can listen to it in TX. I have several Poi Dog CDs. Used to like the Subdudes, too. Heard Yonder Mountain String Band last summer on XRT driving near Chicago and bought that.
Jimbo3 on March 26, 2010 at 5:34 PM
–You, too. I tell you about the concerts, especially Paisley (remind me if you want to know and I forget). And they’ll need to pry my cold dead fingers from my (hopefully) cold beer, especially on Friday and Saturday nights if they want to take it away.
–I saw Neil a few times decades ago with CSN&Y. My problem with Neil is I can’t understand, in concert, some of the things he’s mumbling. (Me: Old age, bad ears from too much loud music).
Jimbo3 on March 26, 2010 at 5:39 PM
Donut Shop
Donut Shop
I think I have the Subdudes first CD.
I don’t listen to XRT anymore, but I think it still caters to the same audience. Not suprisingly, I am an AM radio junkie.
WashJeff on March 26, 2010 at 5:41 PM
Missy, any suggestions for a radio station in DFW that plays this music?
Jimbo3 on March 26, 2010 at 5:43 PM
–I don’t listen to radio in the car much anymore. Or even music in most cases. When I was younger, I figured the day I stopped listening to music in the car was the day I would start declining. I was right. Oh well….
Have a good weekend, all. It’s going to be 70s in DFW after snow last weekend.
Jimbo3 on March 26, 2010 at 5:46 PM
I like using ITunes to find new music. I like how it takes music you are listening to and recommends new stuff.
But this iTunes search feature will be banned in ObamaCare (don’t want to hijack the thread too much).
WashJeff on March 26, 2010 at 5:47 PM
Just checking, this wouldn’t have anything to do with AT&T Taking $1B Charge to Cover Costs of New Health-Care Legislation – FOXBusiness.com http://bit.ly/auAH5f
I’ve never heard of a “Charge” as I’m not an accounting expert is but it doesn’t sound good.
gatorfanatic on March 26, 2010 at 5:50 PM
Nahh. He just married her for the image it brings.
And she got a kid outta the deal! JK!
Please don’t taunt me. It’s back down in the 20s & 30s here after getting in the 60s. I love ND. But sometimes I really hate it.
I’m sure there’s a VAT tax on iTunes somewhere in that POS bill.
Wait for it.
Music is hazardous to your health bcs it can make you deaf.
Badger40 on March 26, 2010 at 6:37 PM
Do you mean WXRT-type music? Not sure, but I can look for you. Some of the other bands you mention (Subdudes, etc.) are not too far off from the KGSR (aka “K-Geezer”) format here in Austin, which you can stream. But of course you can stream XRT too.
I’m totally the same. I was an absolute junkie right up until about 9/11. Now, not so much. But I found an old case of cassettes (yes I’m dating myself) cleaning out some junk, and have been popping them in now and again. First time hearing some of this stuff in ten years or more.
Missy on March 26, 2010 at 6:44 PM
And you speak as though you don’t know (or don’t care) about the ramifications of this law.
Already, doctors accepting Medicare are forced to take what Medicare pays. You may have heard about Walgreens refusing to fill prescriptions for new Medicare patients because Medicare reimbursements do not even cover the wholesale cost of the drugs. This means the business either eats the difference or charges more for everyone else to subsidize the Medicare patients. Obamacare sets the stage for that on a grand scale.
Price controls don’t work. Obamacare doesn’t either.
JohnTant on March 26, 2010 at 7:26 PM
I’ve got a question here… we talk about the MSM not reporting on anything. Does Fox News not have any journalists?
Oink on March 26, 2010 at 7:40 PM
You didn’t actually believe there was ever any other purpose did you??? Thats what Obamacare is all ABOUT in the first place — forcing people out of the private market and into government programs.
American Elephant on March 26, 2010 at 8:07 PM
Perfect example of the kind of problems you get into calculating everything for a command economy. In the free market, if a hospital can make money on MRI’s with only a 40% usage, then there is no real waste. There is excess capacity, but that can be put to other uses. If 40% usage of an MRI machine is enough to justify the machine, then once the hospital gets above 40% usage, the rest is profit. They can then make additional MRI’s available at reduced rates for clinics because the capital reimbursement was accomplished during the first 40%. Extra supply is not just excess in a free market, but also a potential for extra profit.
In other words, as the supply goes up, the price comes down. I seem to remember that being some sort of a rule in a free market.
tom on March 26, 2010 at 8:17 PM
Yesterday on Cavuto a doctor said she is no longer accepting health insurance.
TN Mom on March 26, 2010 at 9:26 PM
That will be my doc. F the new system, I’m going underground. Cash money for service.
daesleeper on March 26, 2010 at 9:33 PM
AARP is not negligent its complicit in this.
belad on March 26, 2010 at 9:35 PM
My dislike for the media and democraps is off the scale. In my view, they are flat out evil.
Zorro on March 26, 2010 at 9:39 PM
Hemlock?
MB4 on March 26, 2010 at 9:44 PM
Estban (To guards): Remember, he is cunning, he is crafty. He’s not just going to walk in here and say ‘Here I am!’
Zorro: Here I am!
MB4 on March 26, 2010 at 9:46 PM
The gift that’s sure to keep on giving!
Dr. ZhivBlago on March 26, 2010 at 10:13 PM
Is there anything in there about impeaching this guy? Gee, that would be swell.
redwhiteblue on March 26, 2010 at 10:33 PM
Inevitabilities are, in a word, inevitable.
russcote on March 26, 2010 at 10:49 PM
.
On the other hand maybe they new exactly what they were passing.
Dasher on March 26, 2010 at 11:52 PM
If I were a multinational company, this would be enough for me to look at shedding US employees as quickly as possible. I might not outright fire them, but what I would do is not replace them as they leave for other jobs.
This provision is simply going to make unemployment worse. And that actually suits Democrats because they can pay unemployment benefits as long as the printing presses have ink to make money. It is easier to provide benefits than it is to provide jobs.
crosspatch on March 27, 2010 at 12:27 AM
If I were not a multinational company, I would look into becoming one as quickly as possible in order to shed US employees.
crosspatch on March 27, 2010 at 12:28 AM
I cannot say for certain that this is a jaded attempt by the government to begin locking us into a single payer system. But I suspect that it is. Whether that is true or not, we do know that the politicos in Washington have never been honest about the way they estimate costs on these bills.
Hawthorne on March 27, 2010 at 12:33 AM
No, they won’t. Obama said they could keep their plan if they liked it.
And he wouldn’t have said it if it weren’t true.
Noel on March 27, 2010 at 12:42 AM
“For months, businesses have warned about the problem, and for months, Democrats have claimed this clause as a $5.4 billion revenue source.”
==================
The Dems now disregard any nay-saying: by definition, the ONLY reason for opposition to whatever Obama wants is … Raacism! Bigoted obstructionists have no place in the New Utopia.
A_Nonny_Mouse on March 27, 2010 at 1:43 AM
And just think: this is just the tip of the iceberg. God only knows what other little gems will turn up.
You’d think if you were going to count on something like this to be one of the legacies of your presidency you’d at least have someone proof it for content and accuracy. But then I guess maybe that’s why this president doesn’t want anyone reading his college writings, etc.: Content and accuracy aren’t something he’s terribly concerned about.
The best part is, for all the blathering about transparency, etc., this giant behemoth of lies NO ONE, including those who “wrote” it could be bothered to even give it a decent read through.
It just fills me with confidence and high expectations for the future! Wait. Those chills up my spine aren’t the good, Chris M. type “tingles.” These chills are fear-inspired worries for this country’s future.
Mad Mad Monica on March 27, 2010 at 3:30 AM
You are far too obsessed with running others’ “race cards” down to not be a racist yourself. Just saying, I think that’s the popular consensus where your ongoing, and obsessive, reprimands about “race” are concerned.
It’s generally what racists do, what you do.
P.S.: I have race. You have race. Everyone has DNA. Get over it.
Lourdes on March 27, 2010 at 5:34 AM
AP/Reuters/Rothschild…YOU FORGOT THIS!
AND THAT’S COMPANIES WITH TIES TO THE BANKS AND THE CRIMINAL FEDERAL RESERVE TO MAKE US BUY THEIR CRAPOLA SERVICE AT HIGH PRICES!
BobAnthony on March 27, 2010 at 7:27 AM
Gotta “share”…The Obama Special!!!
http://bobmccarty.com/2010/03/26/wealth-distribution-on-the-menu-in-austin/
Lockstein13 on March 27, 2010 at 7:55 AM
South Florida has some backyard horse processing gangs.
Cybergeezer on March 27, 2010 at 8:35 AM
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