Report: Obama doubles down on new contraception rule at Democratic retreat
posted at 9:35 pm on February 8, 2012 by Allahpundit
But … what about the big climbdown? Ah well. Maybe he took a second look at what Planned Parenthood did to Komen and thought better of it. Even the man who leads the greatest army in the world needs to know when he’s outgunned.
Besides, how many divisions does the Pope have?
President Obama “reinforced” his stance on the controversial contraception mandate while speaking at the Democrats’ annual retreat at Nationals Park in Washington, D.C. today, Senate Democrats said.
The retreat was closed to media.
Following President Obama’s speech at the retreat, a small group of Senate Democrats, mostly women, left the retreat early in order to hold a news conference on Capitol Hill to counter the Republicans’ news conference today at which they called for the mandate to be overturned…
“The power to decide whether or not to use contraception lies with a woman – not her boss,” said Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, D-N.Y. “What is more intrusive than trying to allow an employer to make medical decisions for someone who works for them?”
Anyone want to field that question from ObamaCare supporter Kirsten Gillibrand? Also, I’m pretty sure religiously-affiliated groups don’t claim the power to decide whether women employees should “use” contraception; if they did, we wouldn’t be having a conversation over who should pay for the contraception that their employees use. (Answer: You should, of course, by paying higher premiums to subsidize the cost of birth control to the insurer.) If you missed it at the Weekly Standard, go read the Hawaii “compromise” proposal that’s kicking around in Democratic circles. In lieu of making religiously-affiliated groups pay, the new rule instead would … force them to tell employees where they can go to get birth control — i.e. “the Catholic Church must directly send women to drugs and devices that are morally wrong and can do harm to them.” It’s as if HHS’s supporters don’t understand the core objection to the policy. It’s not the money, it’s the compulsion applied to the group to promote activity that it considers immoral as a matter of faith. Or maybe they understand it just fine and that’s the real point of all this — to pressure religious holdouts into promoting contraception, however grudgingly, in order to remove any last lingering bits of stigma attached to it. After all, if the Hawaii compromise is on the table, then it’s not really about the money for HHS’s supporters either.
The GOP is already working on a bill to rescind the HHS rule, which means political war until this is resolved. How eager are swing-state Democrats to end up in no man’s land? Over to you, Tim Kaine:
“I think the White House made a good decision in including a mandate for contraception coverage in the Affordable Care Act insurance policy, but I think they made a bad decision in not allowing a broad enough religious employer exemption,” Kaine said, according to a transcript of his remarks provided by his campaign.
“This is something that’s been talked about a lot today and I have definitely expressed my grave concerns to the White House about that. I support the contraception mandate but there should be a religious employer exemption that is broader than the one they proposed.”
Kaine, who is Catholic, has spoken frequently about the importance of faith throughout his career. He has cited it in discussing his opposition to the death penalty and his position on abortion. Kaine says he is personally opposed to abortion and has supported some restrictions, but he does not believe Roe v. Wade should be overturned.
Remember, this is a guy who was handpicked by Obama to lead the DNC in 2009 who’s now inching away from him. Bob Casey, another pro-life Catholic Democrat from a swing state (Pennsylvania), also called on O today to rescind the rule for groups with faith missions. Can’t wait to hear from other vulnerable Dems like Jon Tester as the battle is joined, just like I can’t wait to hear how lifelike talking-points robot Debbie Wasserman-Schultz ends up finessing her comments here down the road when O does finally start to climb down. Exit question: Who’s going to pay for the employees’ contraception when some of these religiously-affiliated groups end up shutting down in protest, as some Catholic charities have already begun to do vis-a-vis considering gays for adoption?
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I’ll try to find the caring and concern. Trying… trying…
Oh good. Here comes the single tear.
kim roy on May 21, 2013 at 1:23 PM
Sure it’s not from smoke or a speck of dust instead?
I, for one, want the unions and every liberal to suffer under Obamacare and/or its potentials until they scream in unison for repeal.
Liam on May 21, 2013 at 1:28 PM
It must suck to be a rank-and-file union member who has to pay for union management when all they do is work to worsen the rank-and-file’s situation in life.
blammm on May 21, 2013 at 1:28 PM
He doesn’t want it overturned. He just wants changes so his people get what they want. The rest is somebody else’s problem.
Mark1971 on May 21, 2013 at 1:30 PM
They had no problems with everyone else being forced into higher costs with poorer plans. So, it’s only fair that they reap what they sowed…
Blake on May 21, 2013 at 1:30 PM
Cry me a bloody river.
Resist We Much on May 21, 2013 at 1:31 PM
Playing my tiny fiddle.
Del Dolemonte on May 21, 2013 at 1:32 PM
Did Jimmy Hoffa, Jr. come out yet, and say
“we’re going to get these SOB”s” (meaning Obama)?
ToddPA on May 21, 2013 at 1:32 PM
Only tears of laughter from me…..sucker!!
hawkeye54 on May 21, 2013 at 1:32 PM
Suckers!
rbj on May 21, 2013 at 1:32 PM
Mr. Hansen: You fought for Obamacare. Suck it up you union thug. Explain to your members why their hours are being cut and why their health insurance sucks. Because you did this to them.
Happy Nomad on May 21, 2013 at 1:33 PM
Now that they’ve read it with their lawyers, they know what’s in it.
beatcanvas on May 21, 2013 at 1:33 PM
Union membership rolls definitely are fertile hunting ground to find low-information voters (parasites for short). They troop to the polls and vote just like they are told by their union bosses. Might be nice to send them a wake up call.
Happy Nomad on May 21, 2013 at 1:35 PM
I wonder if the unions are starting to panic now because they realize the optics of O continuing to give them preferential treatment (and other Dem allies/supporters/doners), while conservative groups are not given the same advantages, has sunk in.
Mayday on May 21, 2013 at 1:37 PM
Gee, I guess all you union thugs should have thought about that before you helped to get it PASSED in the first place. HMMMM?
Right now, I only have two words for all of your ilk. SUCK IT!
Leftist dumbsh!ts all.
Meople on May 21, 2013 at 1:40 PM
The rank and file should fire this guy for not asking for an exemption last year, like most of the other unions and health care lobbyists did.
fred5678 on May 21, 2013 at 1:40 PM
Karma is a beyutch. Heh.
Wethal on May 21, 2013 at 1:40 PM
Is it too late for all these fools to wake up to what they’ve done and stop it? I don’t know, but I’ll keep my late mother’s advice in mind: Hope for the best, plan for the worst.
blackgriffin on May 21, 2013 at 1:41 PM
Feel good story of the day.
docflash on May 21, 2013 at 1:41 PM
Rahm Emanuel has the Chicago unions in a tizzy because he’s dumping them into the exchanges. Heh, again.
Wethal on May 21, 2013 at 1:41 PM
These union goons love obamacare as long as it doesn’t apply to them. As soon as they get their exemption they’ll be happy.
GardenGnome on May 21, 2013 at 1:42 PM
“We don’t want a handout. Our members want to keep the healthcare they currently have. Let me repeat — our members want to keep the healthcare they currently have.”
Don’t we all you ignorant toad, don’t we all. But that’s what you get for believing the dogeater. Let me guess, you thought you’d be special. That HE cared about you. That it would be the OTHERS who paid for it. The term useful idiots was created for folks like you and yours Joseph Hansen.
HumpBot Salvation on May 21, 2013 at 1:42 PM
Now this union can say that, like John Kerry, they were only for it before they were against it. Unions should get out of ObamaCare last, right along with AARP and Congressional Democrats (and staff!). Let the guilty pay.
MTF on May 21, 2013 at 1:43 PM
They’ll get an exemption in exchange for political support of the Democrats.
Good Lt on May 21, 2013 at 1:43 PM
It sure is.
Bob's Kid on May 21, 2013 at 1:44 PM
Just give the unions an exception.
Problem solved!
BoxHead1 on May 21, 2013 at 1:44 PM
Someday, they may find out that their exemption is worth as much as a promise from Barry.
hawkeye54 on May 21, 2013 at 1:44 PM
exceptionexemption(better – as per GoodLte)BoxHead1 on May 21, 2013 at 1:45 PM
I almost feel.
nobar on May 21, 2013 at 1:47 PM
Unions own it. Unions can suck it.
bloviator on May 21, 2013 at 1:47 PM
It’s from laughter actually. ;)
I’m waiting to use “who did you vote for?”
In a just world, they would suffer the most. Unfortunately, that’s not the case.
kim roy on May 21, 2013 at 1:48 PM
Well then, they’ll be facing the same situation as their non-union neighbors. And you want to do something about that? You don’t care who has to pay what so long as your membership gets what it wants. I’m pretty sure that’s asking for a handout.
Happy Nomad on May 21, 2013 at 1:50 PM
It’s always fun when a leftist realizes that this stuff applies to them too. And there are going to be an awful lot of angry commies. They thought Obamacare was going to use the Robin Hood financing plan without realizing that they were included among the rich.
And just think of how great it will be when all the illegals start sucking up benefits without paying into the system.
Happy Nomad on May 21, 2013 at 1:54 PM
Good old Senator Tom Coburn (dinner buddy of Obama).
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/post-politics/wp/2013/05/21/tom-coburn-tornado-aid-must-be-offset/
Maybe Mr. Union Boss should contact Coburn’s office, and see if the Senator would support a waiver.
(918) 581-7651
PappyD61 on May 21, 2013 at 1:55 PM
For you union members out there, rest easy knowing that–as I write–union leaders across the country are receiving assurances from key Democratic politicians and point men that the more onerous aspects of Obamacare legislation that will burden and break the hoi polloi won’t apply to you. You’re connected to the Obama Administration with ties stronger and more enduring than a mother’s love. An accommodation will be reached. That’s the Chicago Way.
troyriser_gopftw on May 21, 2013 at 1:57 PM
Gee Unions…Sucks to be you.
“If you want a picture of the future, imagine a boot stamping on a human face—for ever.” – Orwell, 1984
God Bless Right To Work States!
workingclass artist on May 21, 2013 at 1:58 PM
If only they (unions) had read it before they pushed for it…then again, most union bosses aren’t in their positions because of intelligence but rather their ability to strong arm.
Clink on May 21, 2013 at 1:58 PM
It’s as if a Useful Idiot is beginning to realize he’s no longer useful, and might be tossed aside.
Mayday on May 21, 2013 at 1:58 PM
Libtard trolls notably absent so far.
Can’t wait to see brayam, verbalunatic, Hahhhvudpartisan, or HAL explain this problem away.
dentarthurdent on May 21, 2013 at 1:59 PM
Happy birthday, suckers.
CurtZHP on May 21, 2013 at 2:00 PM
Sí, se puede
workingclass artist on May 21, 2013 at 2:01 PM
My only comment is….you wanted it…you got it. I’ll bet the next time you will not pass it before you read it. Dummies!!!
logicman_1998 on May 21, 2013 at 2:02 PM
OT: Michelle Malkin is tweeting pics of IRS protest around the country…
d1carter on May 21, 2013 at 2:02 PM
Huh. Wonder who’s more upset with their man these days, the unions or the press?
Tell you what, I’ll try to hide some of my enjoyment and look concerned for all of you.
CJ on May 21, 2013 at 2:02 PM
“They have lost all credibility,” is likely the standard answer.
Liam on May 21, 2013 at 2:02 PM
Aa a union member I can understand the glee of some as they watch this slug try to squirm out of the swamp they help create. It galls me how the leadership of unions surrendered our most valuable benefit for a seat at this asshat of a Presidents’table. The membership of my union will be lining up to vote these morons out . We will also be looking at the books. Here comes the boom.
Thicklugdonkey on May 21, 2013 at 2:03 PM
We can almost see the “hey – I might have gotten scammed” lightbulb just barely starting to brighten….
dentarthurdent on May 21, 2013 at 2:03 PM
Welcome to reality.
Please take a seat. Your wait time is six months to a year.
VibrioCocci on May 21, 2013 at 2:04 PM
If they really cared more about the members they CLAIM to represent, instead of the liberal ideology, they would urge Democrat Senators to pass the Republican House bill to repeal Obamacare.
ROFL! Who am I kidding? Unions always care more about liberal ideology than their members!
dominigan on May 21, 2013 at 2:05 PM
I hope they all get a good solid taste of “hey, that $10 million from the Nigerian prince hasn’t shown up in my bank account yet, in fact MY money seems to be missing….”.
It’s nice to find something to laugh about these days….
dentarthurdent on May 21, 2013 at 2:08 PM
The unions can choke on ObamaCare.
They need to remember all of this, as the unions ask for their dues
and the democrats ask for more donations….
redguy on May 21, 2013 at 2:09 PM
As far as I’m concerned, they can now BEND OVER and actually ‘see what’s in it’!
GarandFan on May 21, 2013 at 2:10 PM
Take it good and hard, buddy.
Mason on May 21, 2013 at 2:10 PM
Also, a lot of unions have financial ties to these insurance companies, so when the employees have to switch, the union loses their kickback or commission or whatever they call it. That is another reason they hate the WI laws, because districts switched health plans away from the union favored companies when they could work directly with their own employees. No matter that the employees got similar coverage for a similar price out of pocket, and the districts saved enough to keep teachers employed… It’s always about money. You can bet that’s the motivator here too, and the workers are a secondary concern.
Boudica on May 21, 2013 at 2:16 PM
“progressively realize”
nice choice of words Erika!
But is it possible for progressives to realize their mistakes?
breffnian on May 21, 2013 at 2:19 PM
The unions had their own insurance agency through which the districts were required to buy overpriced coverage.
Wethal on May 21, 2013 at 2:20 PM
As I understood the WI situation, the unions had actually set up their own insurance companies and wrote into the labor contract that the government had to use THAT company that the union essentially owned – at highly inflated rates.
dentarthurdent on May 21, 2013 at 2:20 PM
Does the House lack constitutional authority to de-fund the entire program? Yes or no.
kunegetikos on May 21, 2013 at 2:21 PM
another group requesting a waiver after lobbying for its passage;
socialism is for the people, not the socialists
burserker on May 21, 2013 at 2:30 PM
“For the 85 to 90 percent of Americans who already have health insurance, this thing has already happened. And their only impact is that their insurance is stronger, better, more secure than it was before. Full stop. That’s it. They don’t have to worry about anything else.”
– pResident Obama
See, Mr. Hansen? Now what’s all this fuss about?
lynncgb on May 21, 2013 at 2:39 PM
There’s a very simple solution to this and other problems Obama is facing: If they are liberals, give them waivers. If they are conservatives, don’t give them waivers. Keep doing that until there is no more opposition and we are a socialist country.
Actually, this method works surprisingly well.
Burke on May 21, 2013 at 2:40 PM
Pretty good crowd in Nashville.
CurtZHP on May 21, 2013 at 2:42 PM
Maybe it’s time for the GOP to infiltrate their members and let them see how the union leadership threw them under the bus to help a liberal President. Maybe it’s time to have another vote on union membership, telling people that they will keep more of their check and get rid of leadership that doesn’t care for its members.
As the liberals like to say, “it’s about the middle class and people having more money in their pockets.”
djaymick on May 21, 2013 at 2:44 PM
Amen
hamradio on May 21, 2013 at 2:49 PM
Getting the gorvernment they voted for…….good and hard. Heh.
iurockhead on May 21, 2013 at 3:08 PM
The mistake the unions made in the first place was thinking the democrats were on their side.
The industrial north was BUILT by republicans and Whigs before them. Not by democrats. And when did democrats take control of northern industry states? And when did those states go into decline?
Coincidence? Democrats took control by lying to labor. They told them a fantasy story and labor bought it. They’ve been losing jobs ever since.
Karmashock on May 21, 2013 at 3:12 PM
Let me understand this. Union bosses now, all of a sudden, realize that their members’ (what an appropriate noun) hours will be cut and the end result of that is they will be forced into bad medical insurance plans.
Seems the bigger issue for unions is a huge hit their union dues will take with the cut hours, they really don’t give a crap about the minions’ insurance, union bosses will keep theirs at whatever cost to the minions.
January 1st can’t come soon enough…
riddick on May 21, 2013 at 3:21 PM
Of course, and that’s cuz they’re liberals.
“Liberals always care more about liberal ideology than the American People.”
The sickening thing is the number of people that believe the liberal ideology is “compassionate”.
kirkill on May 21, 2013 at 3:25 PM
Translation: We are as stupid as the Conservatives said we were, when we supported this thing.
Alabama Infidel on May 21, 2013 at 3:46 PM
The only people that should have to live under Obamacare are the politicians and their staffs who passed it and the unions that supported them.
trigon on May 21, 2013 at 4:26 PM
This was all about currying favor with the takers, plain and simple. No worker benefits from this, whether wealthy or poor, high-salary or low-salary.
blammm on May 21, 2013 at 4:41 PM
Let It Burn.
They could have voted against Obama in 2012 after he rammed this thing through, but they didn’t. They deserve what they get. Every bit of it.
txmomof6 on May 21, 2013 at 4:54 PM
Unions and their managment care about taking care of their membership because if they don’t, the members may decide that a change of regime is in order. Hence they will do whatever seems to promise to benefit their membership even if analysis says in the long run it would be detrimental — unions are like corporate CEOs who look to the next favorable financial report as their recurring goal.
While not to dispute that unions can be useful, the Progressives (aka Liberals) have favored labor cartels as personified as unions, because they thought it would be better than the unorganized “free” market and put forward laws to make that so. Hence unions would tend to favor Progressive/Liberal programs so long as the unions don’t see obvious and substantial negative consequences for their membership.
So I do not think it too surprising to see unions intially backing the PPACA because the proponents, Progressive/Liberals, assured them in several ways that it would not affect their interests. Given how the PPACA was arrived at, obviously, the unions would not know what was in it, but taking it on faith that they would not be affected or could be exempted or the requirements could be waived, they went along and supported it.
Now the real costs and consequences are beginning to manifest themselves and union management are seeing storm clouds gathering and approaching. Far from affecting only fatcat CEOs and rich guys, the side-effects can reach all the way down to the individual union member and the managment, seeing the portent of member discontent, are getting concerned (or nervous).
Russ808 on May 21, 2013 at 6:47 PM
Hey, it’s what you Union Members get when you leave these negotiation’s up to the leadership Hard-Hats. Assumed? Oh, that’s rich, LOL, LMAO…Bwahahaha
Tangerinesong on May 21, 2013 at 7:48 PM