Are state Republicans about to take plunge into the absurd?

I swear, Georgia Republicans have mashed their “stupid pedal” to the floorboard and it’s gotten stuck there.

First they tried to pass a constitutional amendment in the state Senate to declare that no Georgian could be mandated by government to buy health insurance, as if Georgia law could somehow supercede federal law. The amendment failed.

(The amendment was sponsored by state Sen. Judson Hill, who three years earlier had introduced legislation that would have — wait for it — forced Georgians to buy health insurance, even giving state officials the power to garnish wages of those who refused. At the time, Hill attributed the legislation to House Speaker Newt Gingrich, who is now one of the sternest critics of “Obamacare”. In other words, mandated health insurance was a good idea until it became part of the Democratic health-reform bill, at which point it became unconstitutional and the most dire threat to American liberty since General Cornwallis surrendered at Yorktown.)

Frustrated in the Senate, Republicans then tried to pass a similar constitutional amendment in the House.

They failed. Again.

Meanwhile, Gov. Sonny Perdue has been stamping his feet like a petulant three-year-old, insisting that Attorney General Thurbert Baker enlist Georgia in a lawsuit filed by 14 other states challenging the constitutionality of the health-reform bill. Baker refused, citing its cost and the exceedingly small chance of success.

“While I understand that the new law is the subject of ongoing debate here in Georgia and around the nation, I do not believe that Georgia has a viable legal claim against the United States,” Baker wrote Perdue. “Considering our state’s current severe budgetary crisis, with vital services like education and law enforcement being cut deeply, I cannot justify a decision to initiate expensive and time-consuming litigation that I believe has
no legal merit.”

Baker’s right. I’m no lawyer, but I’ve read my share of lawsuits. This one (available here) reads like a poorly drafted oped piece, not a legal argument. It cites no case law, no precedent. It is a multi-page whine. Most lawyers, conservative or liberal, agree that the argument behind it is absurd.

“The states cannot just say ‘not for us;’ that’s the theory that was around before the Civil War,” Harvard Law professor Charles Fried, the solicitor general under Ronald Reagan, has been quoted as saying. “It’s truly silly.”

Furthermore, adding Georgia to the list of states challenging the law would change absolutely nothing. The suit will succeed or fail — almost certainly the latter — on its merits. To hear House Majority Leader Jerry Keen wail that Baker’s decision is “pure politics,” as if the lawsuit itself was not motivated solely by politics, is to witness hypocrisy flowing pure and sweet from its source.

But all that may have been mere prelude. Still ahead may be the point that, stupid pedal to the metal, the GOP does its “Thelma and Louise” act, driving off the cliff and plunging into the abyss.

The latest rumor is, House members are circulating a resolution to impeach Baker. Seriously. And Perdue and Gingrich have called a press conference this morning, which I will be hastening to attend. The circus is in town and I’m gonna get a ticket.

However, I must say I’m encouraged by at least one thing. Here I was worried that our state leaders had an awful lot on their plate, what with trying to balance a devastated state budget and fix transportation and deal with the ongoing water crisis, etc. But apparently I was wrong. Apparently, our legislators and governor have so little to worry about here in the little state of Georgia, the piece of real estate over which they have real influence, that they feel free to divert a lot of their time, energy and intellect telling Washington what it ought to do.

Well, their time and energy anyway.

509 comments Add your comment

Scooter

March 25th, 2010
8:39 am

Scooter

March 25th, 2010
8:40 am

USinUK

March 25th, 2010
8:40 am

“It is a multi-page whine”

they’re just doing what they do best …

stands for decibels

March 25th, 2010
8:40 am

sponsored by state Sen. Judson Hill, who three years earlier had introduced legislation that would have — wait for it — forced Georgians to buy health insurance

it burns!

USinUK

March 25th, 2010
8:40 am

hey scooter-puss!!

stands for decibels

March 25th, 2010
8:41 am

(the stupid, that is.)

Outhouse GoKart

March 25th, 2010
8:43 am

Thurbert Baker needs to spend his time and money on purchasing a new wig.

I Report (-: You Whine )-: Impeach Drunken Fool obozo!

March 25th, 2010
8:43 am

18 months of whining, bribing, extorting and lying and Republicans are the ones stamping their feet?

The largest tax increase in history, that is the real story, as much as Bookman tries to obscure it.

stands for decibels

March 25th, 2010
8:43 am

a lawsuit filed by 14 other states

And that’s what really burns. I can see the argument for constitutionally challenging a law you consider unjust. Really, I can.

But when you get to the point where a dozen guys have already beat you to the punch, how on earth do you justify the expense of such a genuinely frivolous lawsuit?

stands for decibels

March 25th, 2010
8:44 am

Republicans are the ones stamping their feet?

Why yes, Whiner. They are; and you do.

Later, kids. Try not to frivolously sue anyone while I’m away.

USinUK

March 25th, 2010
8:45 am

dB – “But when you get to the point where a dozen guys have already beat you to the punch, how on earth do you justify the expense of such a genuinely frivolous lawsuit?”

cuz it’s against a democRAT … that’s how they justify it … :roll:

Rightwing Troll

March 25th, 2010
8:46 am

Schools and first responder’s budgets are being cut to the bone, and nut sacks want to waste billions whining and stomping thier little feet… and handing the NRA plums instead of doing what they said they would do after Glen’s Richard…

They can pitch thier little treasonous hissy fits without wasting millions of GA tax dollars, they do it every day here and all over, we don’t need to waste the needed funds to shore up the Nut Sack’s seats in the state Legislature, they are secure, nut sacks don’t know any other way…

TaxPayer

March 25th, 2010
8:46 am

I swear, Georgia Republicans have mashed their “stupid pedal” to the floorboard and it’s gotten stuck there.

Jay,

That’s an insult to stupid people. Our Georgia Republicans are stoopid! And cowards too. And what’s this talk about our Georgia Republicans diverting intellect to something. Where did they get? Did they rob the school system… again.

Scooter

March 25th, 2010
8:46 am

Some may disagree, but Baker might make a good Governor. ???????

Rightwing Troll

March 25th, 2010
8:48 am

What taxes have gone up? I missed it.

USinUK

March 25th, 2010
8:49 am

RWT – yep … gimme $50 and we’ll call it even ;-)

Scooter

March 25th, 2010
8:49 am

Hello USinUK! :smile:

Hakui Guy

March 25th, 2010
8:49 am

“as if Georgia law could somehow supercede federal law”

King Georga thought the same

Boston Tea Party proved not

many mothers wept.

jconservative

March 25th, 2010
8:50 am

The Georgia governor has the legal authority to file a lawsuit without the AG being involved.

Question: Why has Purdue elected not to file a lawsuit from the Governor’s office? Several lawyers have volunteered to do so at no fees, the Governor only has to pay the expenses of the suit.

Will he or won’t he?

Curious Observer

March 25th, 2010
8:54 am

What is even more stupid is that the Georgia electorate falls for these histrionics—every time. Georgia’s Republican leadership is shameless in its efforts to con the regressives—from putting useless gay marriage amendments on the ballot to threatening to secede to attempting to sue the federal government over legislation with which it disagrees. It’s as though the Civil War taught absolutely nothing about the power relationship between the states and the federal government.

Teh stoopid. It burns indeed.

Paul

March 25th, 2010
8:54 am

Jay

Ever worked with someone who has a really important, but tough job to do and chooses, instead, to do a more routine task? Avoidance. Unfortunately, it seems to be a job requirement of some of your state’s legislators.

Regarding the lawsuit: I’d guess an underlying reason is, states are concerned about the costs they’ll incur down the road. This is a way, first, to make clear to their voters they’ll be on the hook for gazillions and second (now… this requires a belief the current crop of national and state Republicans can coordinate an effective strategy… but suspend belief and stay with me) it’s a way to highlight areas they support (’we said all along the Democratic Congress should concentrate on preexisting conditions, noncancellation, etc’) while honing the message of what they want to repeal (”Seniors! Democrats took 500 billion from your Medicare and we’ll fight for you to get it back!”).

Scout

March 25th, 2010
8:55 am

Jay: The BACKLASH has only started ……………………..

GoingBroke

March 25th, 2010
8:57 am

Stupid is right.. God love them.. cause no one else will.

Jay.. your posting sounds like a promo for Rachel Maddow on MSNBC.. you giving or getting your style from there?

Jay

March 25th, 2010
8:57 am

Paul, under the reconciliation package, the federal government will cover 100 percent of the states’ additional Medicaid cost in 2014, 2015 and 2016; 95 percent of the cost in 2017, 94 percent of the cost in 2018, 93 percent of the cost in 2019 and 90 percent of the cost in 2020 and every year thereafter.

Scout

March 25th, 2010
8:58 am

P.S.

Many refer to the “War Between the United (an oxymoron) States of America” and the “Confederate States of America” as the “Civil War”. That physical confrontation was of course not a civil war in the correct sense of that definition.

What we are in NOW engaged in is a political “Civil War” …………. and I say let ‘er rip !

Jay

March 25th, 2010
8:59 am

Broke, I have never watched Maddow and know her only by reputation.

jconservative

March 25th, 2010
9:00 am

Federalist Papers; That is way to long for this forum but thanks for putting it into the domain.

Of course you realize that the Supreme Court will decide if any bill is repugnant to the Constitution (Marbury v Madison) and reaffirmed many times by the Court over the years. The New Haven Firemen case is a perfect example.

The Court will look at the law when they decide to hear, or not to hear, the case against the health care bill. Whether one state or all 50 states are party to the suit is not important (unless you believe the conservatives on the Court are open to political pressure and will not rule on the merits of the case).

Doggone/GA

March 25th, 2010
9:00 am

“was of course not a civil war ”

Yep…there’s nothing “civil” about ANY war.

Rightwing Troll

March 25th, 2010
9:01 am

The Civil War should be rightly called the “war of the southern states who tried to destroy the country because they wanted to keep slaves”…

Now it’s the Nut Sacks who wish to destroy the country to remake it as a theocracy.

bajaboy

March 25th, 2010
9:02 am

Considering the difficulty Sonny has encountered trying to provide mental health care for Georgia’s uninsured children without killing them with neglect in inadequate institutions, one would think he would welcome mandated insurance.

getalife

March 25th, 2010
9:03 am

Osama bin Laden, in tape, threatens to kill Americans…

Just like the gop.

Hakui Guy

March 25th, 2010
9:05 am

I was not born to

endure a boot to my face

for eternity.

TaxPayer

March 25th, 2010
9:05 am

The GOP is determined to succeed where bin Laden has failed.

Paul

March 25th, 2010
9:06 am

Jay

Thanks much for the update. I’ve been gone for a few days – good to know that’s in.

USinUK

March 25th, 2010
9:07 am

Haiku Guy got his

Masters in Histrionics

at Rush Limbaugh U

Chris

March 25th, 2010
9:09 am

“First they tried to pass a constitutional amendment in the state Senate to declare that no Georgian could be mandated by government to buy health insurance, as if Georgia law could somehow supercede federal law.”

-could some how? Do you know it violates interstate commerce laws and the constitution to compel anyone to buy something as massive as this?

-but your a super educated liberal so I am wrong some how on this

joan

March 25th, 2010
9:10 am

Jay, “the federal government” covering costs just means the taxpayers will have to do it. Of course, the Dems put the onerous portions of this bill in later–when they are safely tucked away in their retirement homes. The people do not want this healthcare outrage, and all we can do now is REMEMBER IN NOVEMBER. And, then when we get Republicans (conservatives) in office, hold their feet to the fire to remember they are there to represent working individuals–people who want to take responsibility for their lives, and not there to simply build up voting blocs of unwashed masses–unions, government employees, newly legalized aliens and other dependents on the taxpayer and private industry. If we don’t start doing something soon to boost private industry, this will be a country of government employees only, and the rest of us will be welfare–sounds like West Africa to me.

Paul

March 25th, 2010
9:10 am

Here’s a good article on the Florida lawsuit, the budget concerns, how they’re overcome by events with the numbers Jay provided.

http://www.politifact.com/florida/statements/2010/mar/23/bill-mccollum/mccollum-cites-top-estimate-medicaid-expansion/

So, the same applies to every other state considering that reason as a valid consideration for suit.

frank burns

March 25th, 2010
9:11 am

The Repubs better just remember, after this thing is accepted and a welcome part of American culture: this is “Obamacare” (the term they themselves made up and pegged it with) — he deserves all the credit.

Lewis

March 25th, 2010
9:11 am

What you mena by “about to.” Aren’t the Republicans already in the absurd?

jconservative

March 25th, 2010
9:12 am

The Reconciliation Bill now being debated gets rid of the Nebraska giveaway to Sen Nelson. Republicans screamed when it passed originally. Now they are voting to keep it in the bill now signed into law. Why?

AP story: “It kills part of the new statute uniquely giving Nebraska extra Medicaid funds — designed to lure support from that state’s Sen. Ben Nelson — that had become a glaring embarrassment to Democrats. It also eases a new tax on expensive health coverage bitterly opposed by unions and many House Democrats, while delaying and increasing a new levy on drug makers.”

So Republicans are fighting to keep the Nebraska/Nelson package in the now signed into law health care package and fighting to keep the higher tax on “Cadillac” health insurance policies. Why?

TaxPayer

March 25th, 2010
9:12 am

Orly Taitz has volunteered to represent the Georgia Republicans. I think she has lady gaga eyes for Sonny.

USinUK

March 25th, 2010
9:12 am

“Do you know it violates interstate commerce laws and the constitution to compel anyone to buy something as massive as this?”

and here’s the thing that kills me about people who know NOTHING about gummint (particularly the legislative branch)

do you honestly think that, in a city with the highest lawyer per capital ratio on the country that NO ONE ran that by a constitutional lawyer, first?

do you think that there are NO lawyers on the legislative committes who help draft this legislation??

criminey.

Paul

March 25th, 2010
9:13 am

joan

[[build up voting blocs of unwashed masses–unions, government employees]]

Military members are ‘unwashed masses’?

Are there any parts of the reforms you like? Are you in favor of repealing legislation that prevents insurance companies from dropping people once they become ill? Or is legislation preventing insurance companies from so doing a good thing?

getalife

March 25th, 2010
9:14 am

I think we should add the cons to the war on terror and use all resources available.

Jay

March 25th, 2010
9:14 am

Chris, why don’t you go explain your theory to Charles Fried and others? They would be enthralled by it, don’t you think?

Tea party poopers

March 25th, 2010
9:15 am

There’s so many layers of irony in this piece, that I found myself rooting for the British, apparently.

Bookman should stick to sending his cyberbully thugs over to Cynthia’s blog so they can be themselves.

Here’s the real danger to us concerning the cessation of bipartisanship and the secession of half our legislative branch: we are witnessing some ugly business in public, unabashed and unashamed. My fear is that there are closed-door conspiracies in play.

The tip of this iceberg is bad enough. What are we not seeing? What treachery lurks beneath this choppy surface?

I’ve never seen this level of rancor. (and I was married for 27 years).

USinUK

March 25th, 2010
9:16 am

Paul – “Military members are ‘unwashed masses’?”

yes … as are the doctors and nurses who work in the VA hospitals, the teachers at our public schools and universities and the scientists who work at the CDC … unwashed, the lot of ‘em …

:roll:

Paul

March 25th, 2010
9:21 am

USinUK

Maybe joan will organize a charity drive, or tag on to existing ’support the troops with CARE packages” and donate lots and lots of soap?

USinUK

March 25th, 2010
9:22 am

haiku guy – in response to your 8:39 below …

Gordon Brown morose

Wishing he had called gen’ral

Back when he was liked

Scout

March 25th, 2010
9:23 am

The government requires car insurance only if you “choose” to own a car.

Question – should the federal government be able to force you to buy life, liability and disabilty insurance so your dependents won’t be a tax burden on the state if you die, are sued or something happens to you and you can’t physically work?

The Seeker

March 25th, 2010
9:24 am

Gee Jay, I didn’t know you had any judicial experience or had ever sat on the bench. The Supreme Court will decide this matter, not you and your liberal buddies. Rest assured it will be Civil War should they rule the federal government has the right to force citizens to buy something from a private corporation. You think bricks and name calling are bad, just wait!

thomas

March 25th, 2010
9:26 am

Is it legal for the federal government, not a state government, to force its citizens to purchase any product?

Was just checking because I believe this is the first time EVER in America in which the government has FORCED its citizens to either purchase health insurance, break the law or pay a fine.

If this is legal could anyone point me to the piece of American legislation which state the federal government can strip us of our FREEDOM to purchase or not purchase a product or good?

USinUK

March 25th, 2010
9:26 am

Paul – 9:21 – I don’t know how familiar you are with the Red State blog, but the eternally hapless Erick Son of Erick tried to start a protest against Olympia Snow by encouraging everyone to send her rock salt …

until someone pointed out to the braintrust that, actually, people living in Maine might appreciate tons of rock salt being shipped to them right before winter

http://www.redstate.com/erick/2009/10/13/pour-rock-salt-on-snowe/

as dB says … the stupid … it burns …

jewcowboy

March 25th, 2010
9:27 am

The GA State flag should just picture a fat guy with his head up his ass.

Normal

March 25th, 2010
9:28 am

The Civil War should be rightly called the “war of the southern states who tried to destroy the country because they wanted to keep slaves”

This is totally incorrect. During the latter part of the war, the North and South were holding informal talks to end the war. The North even said they would agree to pay slave owners for their lost slaves. If the war had been about slavery, the war would have ended right there.
Jefferson Davis, though, insisted any agreement would have to include the continued separation of the southern states from the Union. this, of course, was a deal breaker. The war was about state rights. The emotional trigger was slavery. Pick up a history book some time and read about the racial riots in the North in 1863. Read that “Free” black men, were not allowed to serve in the Northern army at first and when they were finally allowed in, they were paid less than a white yankee and more poorly equiped. No people, slavery was not the issue.

…and the war rightly should be called “The War of Northern Agression”.

Jay

March 25th, 2010
9:29 am

Oh gee, Seeker, now you’ve got us all a-tremble with fear…

If you have to imply violence in order to win a discussion, you’ve lost already.

Normal

March 25th, 2010
9:29 am

jewcowboy

March 25th, 2010
9:27 am

Dang it! I’m running out of paper towels!

getalife

March 25th, 2010
9:30 am

The karma for the cons is coming.

All American freedoms the cons happily gave away because they were scared can be used against them.

They can spy on you, lock you up indefinitely without a lawyer, torture you, rendition you to other countries and you have no rights.

All they have to do is label you a terrorist.

Good luck cons but I will stand with my country.

Normal

March 25th, 2010
9:30 am

The seeker looks backward, me thinks…

Doggone/GA

March 25th, 2010
9:31 am

“If you have to imply violence in order to win a discussion, you’ve lost already”

Especially when you say in one sentence that it will be decided by the courts…and in the very next threaten violence if you don’t like the decision the court makes.

SOUTHERN ATL

March 25th, 2010
9:31 am

If this administration is so concerned about HEALTH related matters then why does the Blakely Peanut Contamination still linger?

Blakely peanut illness: Little has changed since scare

A year after outbreak, holes still exist in inspection safety net

http://www.ajc.com/news/blakely-peanut-illness-little-286617.html

This is a health related matter that embarrassed the entire state!

The Seeker

March 25th, 2010
9:32 am

My fully auto AK-47 begs to differ JAY!

Doggone/GA

March 25th, 2010
9:32 am

“and the war rightly should be called “The War of Northern Agression”.”

No, it shouldn’t. “The South” fired the first shots.

Jay

March 25th, 2010
9:33 am

Normal, the war was absolutely about slavery. Read the secession statement from South Carolina, which states in part:

“We affirm that these ends, for which this Government was instituted, have been defeated, and the government itself has been made destructive of them by the action of the non�slaveholding states. Those states have assumed the right of deciding upon the propriety of our domestic institutions; and have denied the rights of property established in fifteen of the states and recognized by the constitution; they have denounced as sinful the institution of slavery; they have permitted the open establishment among them of societies, whose avowed object is to disturb the peace and to eloign the property of the citizens of other states. They have encouraged and assisted thousands of our slaves to leave their homes, and those who remain have been incited by emissaries, books and pictures to servile insurrection.

For twenty-five years this agitation has been steadily increasing, until it has now secured to its aid the power of the common government. Observing the forms of the constitution, a sectional party has found within that article establishing the executive department the means of subverting the constitution itself. A geographical line has been drawn across the Union, and all the states north of that line have united in the election of a man to the high office of President of the United States, whose opinions and purposes are hostile to slavery. He is to be entrusted with the administration of the common government, because he has declared that that “government cannot endure permanently half slave, half free,” and that the public mind must rest in the belief that slavery is in the course of ultimate extinction. “

TaxPayer

March 25th, 2010
9:33 am

Is it legal for the federal government, not a state government, to force its citizens to purchase any product?

You are not being forced to purchase health insurance… or car insurance… or flood insurance… or life insurance… or home insurance. However, you are being forced to indirectly pay for FDIC insurance and PBGC insurance if your business offers a pension plan, amongst other things. You are also being forced to pay for the DoD and corporate tax breaks and for all the taxes that are not being paid by those that hide income off shore, etc. How does it feel?

Paul

March 25th, 2010
9:34 am

Scout – thomas

Gov’t has, for years, required people to purchase protection against future loss or injury.

Try enrolling your child into school without immunizations (have to pay to get the product from a doctor to protect child and others from future loss or injury).

NowReally

March 25th, 2010
9:34 am

If it wasn’t true, it would be extremely funny. The republicans are always complaining about private citizens filing frivolous lawsuits, but the pot is now calling the kettle black.
And to impeach the Attorney General is just plain stupid and political; but karma usually comes back tenfold.

The Seeker – please remember that the last time it was done (civil war), YAH LOST BIG TIME. I live in this state and I’ll be fighting with the BIG Government people.

Jay

March 25th, 2010
9:34 am

It can beg all it wants, Seeker.

So can you, for all the good it would do you if you tried to convert this anonymous braying into action.

The Seeker

March 25th, 2010
9:36 am

Keep feeding the fire then Jay!

getalife

March 25th, 2010
9:36 am

Hey seeker,

They have your ip number now stupid.

Road Scholar

March 25th, 2010
9:36 am

Haiku Guy: To keep from having the boot in you face, stop getting drunk and falling down with your face on your shoes! That is unless you are using the shoes to brace your fall and to keep your teeth…that is the ones which are left!

Governor Perdue: Let me make this something even you can understand: Penalty! for piling on! If the lawsuit has merit, what makes you think that Georgia’s participation, and money, will sway the ruling toward your opinion? Where is our ethics legislation? Transportation funding? Education improvements? Oh and forget about any more tax breaks!

Doggone/GA

March 25th, 2010
9:36 am

“The republicans are always complaining about private citizens filing frivolous lawsuits, but the pot is now calling the kettle black.”

No, no, no…you’re forgetting “IOKIYAR” (It’s OK If You’re A Republican)

USinUK

March 25th, 2010
9:37 am

Paul – and don’t forget the requirement to carry flood insurance if you live in a flood plain

TaxPayer

March 25th, 2010
9:38 am

I see no reason why we cannot co-exist peacefully. Let the overlords of the Republican party establish their peonage system amonst their loyal followers. Why should we stop them from enjoying the life style that they love. The problem lies with the overlords of the Republican party trying to exert dominion over those that do not wish to be their property.

md

March 25th, 2010
9:39 am

“do you honestly think that, in a city with the highest lawyer per capital ratio on the country that NO ONE ran that by a constitutional lawyer, first?”

Come on now, and all lawyers interpret the laws the same way? The supremes don’t even do that.

Hakui Guy

March 25th, 2010
9:39 am

The MoJo rising

America just says no

Bookman frets again.

Paul

March 25th, 2010
9:39 am

Seeker

[[My fully auto AK-47 begs to differ JAY!]]

Ummm, shouldn’t someone taking part in an armed resistance to protect the country pick, for symbolic value if nothing else, a weapon that didn’t have its beginnings as a weapon made by commies, for commies, to kill real Americans?

Jay

March 25th, 2010
9:40 am

Poor seeker.

Go find a third grader to intimidate.

A little one.

Daedalus

March 25th, 2010
9:40 am

Hey Normal — nice try at revisionist history. But the endless argument that the Civil War had nothing to with slavery is silly and wrong. In his “Cornerstone Speech” in Savannah, Alexander Stephens, Vice-President of the Confederate States of America (a Georgian, no less) stated:

“Our new government (the CSA) is founded upon exactly the opposite idea; its foundations are laid, its corner–stone rests, upon the great truth that the negro is not equal to the white man; that slavery — subordination to the superior race — is his natural and normal condition.”

Of course, what does Alexander Stephens know compared to you? He was only the Vice-President of the CSA and lived through that era. While you and the rest of the apologists for slavery in this country continue to try and argue that it was only about “states rights” … 150 years later.

I think you’d be a great candidate for the Texas School Book Commission.

Oh, and a P.S. to US in UK, that Haiku post above was one of your best.

USinUK

March 25th, 2010
9:41 am

md – 9:39 – interpreting different shades of gray is one thing – according to Chris (et al), it’s OBviously unconstitutional.

btw- thanks for a great discussion yesterday – it was a real treat!

Road Scholar

March 25th, 2010
9:42 am

Jewcowboy: Priceless! Do you think we could get Sonny to pose?

Oh Oh! Look out for those activist judges!

Normal

March 25th, 2010
9:42 am

Jay,
The issue was the right of a state to do what it wanted to do without Federal interference. The fact that the southern states felt it was their right to continue their enconomic model, slavery, was only part of the issue. Even “That Damned Lincoln” was ambivalent about slavery. It was the abolitionist’s (a vocal minority like the tea drinkers) that used it as an emotional ploy. The South just wanted to be left alone.

getalife

March 25th, 2010
9:43 am

That idiot just made a terrorist threat and admitted to owning a illegal gun.

Now we are having fun.

The Seeker

March 25th, 2010
9:43 am

Fine Jay! I’ll take my concerns elsewhere, you and this rag ain’t worth my time anyhow. You sure got a pretty mouth though boy!

thomas

March 25th, 2010
9:43 am

Paul

March 25th, 2010
9:34 am

Not true at all Paul there are exemptions for religion, or other spirtual beliefs.

So you are wrong as I have not seen any exemptions given for religion in this Bill.

How funny that people who seriously don’t believe in modern medicine(for religious purposes) will be forced by the government to buy a policy which they will never use.

Paul any others besides immunizations, because those are not forced across the board. And though it is a very wise idea to educate ones self. It is only law up to the age of 16 and one can choose to home school as well and no shots would be required.

See this is different than anything we have ever seen. We have no free choicein this, it is a government mandate. They are forcing us for the first time ever to buy something, or pay a fine, There is no alternate option.

Normal

March 25th, 2010
9:44 am

And Jay,
I’m not debating the right or wrong of slavery. It was and will remian a terrible thing.

N-GA

March 25th, 2010
9:44 am

What the GOP would do is declare all Americans to be terrorists, THEN tell them they had to buy health insurance in the interest of national security…….

Doggone/GA

March 25th, 2010
9:44 am

“The issue was the right of a state to do what it wanted to do without Federal interference”

And they learned the hard way they were wrong.

USinUK

March 25th, 2010
9:44 am

Daedalus – 9:40 – aw, thanks!

I’d forgotten how much I love a good haiku until Mr. Haiku Guy got me started this morning … great way to pass the time whilst comparing databases …

Daedalus

March 25th, 2010
9:44 am

Southern ATL:

The enforcement of health and safety laws at the Blakely Plant are the State of Georgia’s responsibility. The United States provides funding to the state to support the program — but its ultimately the state that takes the lead on enforcement. If you want to blame somebody for the state of affairs at Blakely, point the finger at the State of Georgia.

I guess the concept of the state taking responsibility for enforcing its own laws is beyond you, huh?

TaxPayer

March 25th, 2010
9:45 am

Don’t forget! The Georgia Republicans have now further empowered the likes of “Seeker” by giving him a legal right to carry his pop gun into church and onto college campuses. Stoopid. Reeeeel stoopid.

Hakui Guy

March 25th, 2010
9:46 am

Road Scholar is ripe

Like a serf, he sits waiting

for government cheeeeeeese.

Peadawg

March 25th, 2010
9:46 am

I think most people are wondering how mandating that everyone(sick and healthy) is going to lower premiums. I agree w/ the pre-existing conditions thing, but it’s not going to lower premiums. Insurance companies are going to have to raise premiums to pay for everyone. Obama flat out lied on that one.

USinUK

March 25th, 2010
9:46 am

thomas – “So you are wrong as I have not seen any exemptions given for religion in this Bill”

oh, geez … here we go again …

http://www.whptv.com/news/local/story/Health-Care-Bill-Exempts-Amish/rgxp6aLIwEKxA-23DJUtXg.cspx

thomas

March 25th, 2010
9:48 am

USinUK

March 25th, 2010
9:37 am

Its a choice to live in a flood plan. there are many other areas of the country that do not lie near a flood plain. Thus eliminating your need to purchase flood insurance.

However this bill forces everyone from coast to coast, and Hawaii, and Alaska to purchase insurance or pay a fine. There is no alternative. Even if you are not ever going to use any medicine.

There has never been a time in America in which our citizens were force to either purchase a product or pay a tax since……………The English were collecting the tax.

Gandalf, the White

March 25th, 2010
9:48 am

Don’t worry about the Constitution, it’s being re-written as we speak. That Barry wants to have it all, just like a certain Austrian did back in ‘36….. it’s a slippery slope when you take away freedom.

Gandalf, the White

March 25th, 2010
9:50 am

Terrorism supported by the Republicans? When it all comes out, I bet it was a liberal who commited these heinous acts, to blame the conservatives!

Normal

March 25th, 2010
9:51 am

Gandalf! Howdy! :D

Gandalf, the White

March 25th, 2010
9:51 am

Oh, and Barry still hasn’t shown his birther certificate
:-)
Damn Skippy!

md

March 25th, 2010
9:51 am

“md – 9:39 – interpreting different shades of gray is one thing – according to Chris (et al), it’s OBviously unconstitutional.”

I believe we still have an ongoing debate about Paul’s favorite subject – torture. And I vaguely remember that also being passed before the lawyers for an “opinion”.

I don’t see a cut and dried outcome if this gets to the SC – those folks didn’t appreciate the fish in the bowl treatment they received at the SOTU – although they are not supposed to judge with any emotion, they are human.

thomas

March 25th, 2010
9:52 am

USinUK

March 25th, 2010
9:46 am

You my friend are smarter than this. That is only 1 group. 1 so now the Amish are the only ones who refuse medical treatment?

You know better and understand that there will be religions forced into doing this who fundamentally don’t agree with medicine.

But you still go with this argument because you know there are those who are dumb enough to believe you.

Nice to see that you are not for religious freedom, well except for the Amish.

You are better at showing your point than to take the intellectually dishonest route.

Gandalf, the White

March 25th, 2010
9:52 am

Howdy hey there Normal! Been away for a long time….wanted to see what Jay’s sheep were thinking about the end of the Republic…

kayaker 71

March 25th, 2010
9:53 am

Bookman,

Flash back to the 2008 campaign. “No new taxes to anyone making less than 250K/yr.” Pelosi….. “We will have the most ethical House in the history of this country”. ” We will publish any new legislation on C-Span for the electorate to review at least 3 to 4 days in advance of consideration”. “We will have the most tranparent administration in history”. “We will reach across the isle and strive to have bi-partisan legislation involving members of the opposition party”.

Recent figures……. Pelosi approval rating, 11%, Reid approval rating 8%, Bozo approval rating, the lowest in his term of office and the lowest of any sitting president, at this point into their first term. Disapproval of the Health Care Bill, 65%.
How can you continually ignore these figures? The electorate is not happy, Bookman. You can go around in this temporary aura as much as you want and the fact still remains that you ignore these numbers at your peril. It only passed my 7 votes and they were bribed, cajoled, arm twisted and lied to by Bozo and his gang….. far from a mandate on so important a piece of legislation with so many far reaching implications. They muscled it through, Chicago style, and the electorate will not forget in November.

Doggone/GA

March 25th, 2010
9:53 am

“Its a choice to live in a flood plan. there are many other areas of the country that do not lie near a flood plain. Thus eliminating your need to purchase flood insurance”

It’ss a choice to live in the USA. There are many other areas of the world that do not require health insurance. Thus eliminating your need to purchase health insurance.

N-GA

March 25th, 2010
9:53 am

Peadog….I’ll ’splain this to you once.

Young people tend to think that, because they are healthy they don’t need health insurance. They want the maximum net amount from their paychecks. When they get older and realize the financial risk they are taking, only then do they agree to pay for insurance.

Now there will be millions and millions of (healthy) people paying health insurance premiums. And the Federal government will provide subsidies for those who cannot afford the premiums……

And the health insurance companies are going to be regulated. They will be required to adhere to a revenue/payout algorithm that is more restrictive than their current operating model. The purpose of this is to help control these huge premium increases that occur every year.

Gale

March 25th, 2010
9:54 am

Yo, Gandalf!

Gandalf, the White

March 25th, 2010
9:54 am

I think Pelosi is down to 9%….

Nathaniel

March 25th, 2010
9:54 am

“First they tried to pass a constitutional amendment in the state Senate to declare that no Georgian could be mandated by government to buy health insurance, as if Georgia law could somehow supercede federal law.”

Wow, I only had to get to the second sentence to realize that you don’t understand basic US Civics. Would recommend you read the 10th Amendment where all powers not explicitly granted to the Federal government are reserved for the states. There is nowhere in the commerce clause that gives the federal government the authority to force you to buy anything… so states can nullify such laws (Virginia and Idaho allready have). In fact, every state in the union has nullified federal laws. For example, Congress may pass the Brady Bill to infringe on our gun rights… but both Tennessee and Wyoming have nullified the Brady Bill because not only does the federal government not have the authority but it is explicitly denied that authority by the 2nd Amendment.

Gandalf, the White

March 25th, 2010
9:55 am

Gale Howdy! Missed you and that dang EXPAT most of all….How goes it?

USinUK

March 25th, 2010
9:55 am

thomas –

“You my friend are smarter than this. That is only 1 group. 1 so now the Amish are the only ones who refuse medical treatment?”

and 1 is still more than NONE, which was your point.

http://www.wfaa.com/news/local/Religious-groups-will-be-able-to-opt-out-of-compulsory-health-care-89047832.html

here … this seems to indicate that others can use the clause, as well

Normal

March 25th, 2010
9:55 am

Daedalus

March 25th, 2010
9:40 am

Yes, there were Southerners who deplored slavery, but as you pointed out he was the Vice President of the CSA. He still believed in the separation of the states.

USinUK

March 25th, 2010
9:56 am

GtW – “Gale Howdy! Missed you and that dang EXPAT most of all….How goes it?”

hey stranger!! it’s been mighty quiet without you ’round these here parts!

thomas

March 25th, 2010
9:56 am

Doggone/GA

March 25th, 2010
9:53 am

Yes doggone,

always the argument of the wise, educated and classy.

“If you don’t like the US, then get out”

Classy, and such a bright rey of freedom and liberty you are.

This is the ONLY BILL EVER that has forced every American (my bad USinUK not the Amish) to buy anything regardless of where one lives or what one believes.

Gale

March 25th, 2010
9:57 am

Busy, busy, busy, Gandalf. We mised you too.

Gandalf, the White

March 25th, 2010
9:57 am

Well color me Amish!

Damn Skippy!
:roll:

Curious Observer

March 25th, 2010
9:57 am

However this bill forces everyone from coast to coast, and Hawaii, and Alaska to purchase insurance or pay a fine. There is no alternative. Even if you are not ever going to use any medicine.

That’s right, thomas. We’ve gotten sick of paying higher premiums, higher taxes, and higher medical costs to cover for people who think they’ll never need health insurance until they get sick or injured and can’t pay the bills—at which point we have to pay it.

It’s the same way we got sick of uninsured drivers who “didn’t need auto insurance” and plowed into our cars and left us or our insurance companies to pay the repair bills.

If you don’t like it, move to another country.

md

March 25th, 2010
9:57 am

Anybody else see BillO ask Weiner who collects the fine if folks don’t buy insurance?

Weiner, after dancing in circles around the question – “If you go littering and that’s a $50 fine, no one is following you around to get your litter.”

Outhouse GoKart

March 25th, 2010
9:58 am

“I think most people are wondering how mandating that everyone(sick and healthy) is going to lower premiums. I agree w/ the pre-existing conditions thing, but it’s not going to lower premiums. Insurance companies are going to have to raise premiums to pay for everyone. Obama flat out lied on that one.”

And therein lies the beauty. Even the Dems are getting screwed…in effect screwing themselves…LOL!!

Gandalf, the White

March 25th, 2010
9:58 am

EXPAT? No voice of reason?

:roll: :-) :roll:

N-GA

March 25th, 2010
9:58 am

Thomas: You posted “There has never been a time in America in which our citizens were force to either purchase a product or pay a tax since……………The English were collecting the tax.”

There is not enough space on this blog to list all the examples of where you are wrong, so I’ll give you my favorite example of taxation without representation.. Every hotel room and car rental has taxes imposed by politicians whose intent is to tax people who don’t vote in their district/city/county.

Paul

March 25th, 2010
9:59 am

thomas 9:43

not true ‘at all’?

Entirely false, then?

The current legislation has, I believe, exemptions for religious objections. Amish, Seventh day Adventists and such.

Why the request for any other examples besides immunizations? The assertion is gov’t has ‘never required purchase’ in form of insurance. Immunization is an example of the concept. One cite is sufficient to show precedent.

We had a good thread here where the requirement for mandatory purchase was discussed. Its purpose is, if people are not to be denied coverage for preexisting conditions, to make people responsible for their own costs. Otherwise, they’d get sick, get insurance, get treatment, drop insurance, get sick, get insurance, get treatment, drop coverage, and so on.

So , it seems to me the only way around it is to allow insurance companies to continue to deny coverage. Saying we should deny coverage to people won’t work, as we already have established law preventing that.

Do you have an alternative? Or are you in favor of letting insurance companies continue to deny coverage?

Peadawg

March 25th, 2010
10:00 am

“Now there will be millions and millions of (healthy) people paying health insurance premiums.”

True. But there will be millions and millions of sick people also paying. And the premiums will have to go up to cover the medical expenses for these people.

” They will be required to adhere to a revenue/payout algorithm that is more restrictive than their current operating model.”

So in other words, the government is going to put the insurance companies out of busy. If the insurance companies can’t raise premiums to cover everyone, they’ll be out of business. That’s a way to create jobs I tell ya!!!!!

All this stuff the government is doing is really good in theory…but not so much in practice.

Outhouse GoKart

March 25th, 2010
10:00 am

“And the health insurance companies are going to be regulated. They will be required to adhere to a revenue/payout algorithm that is more restrictive than their current operating model. The purpose of this is to help control these huge premium increases that occur every year.”

The Insurance companies will for all practical purposes become public utilities. Insurance premiums will go UP…not down.

Outhouse GoKart

March 25th, 2010
10:01 am

PS…and you too my friend are gonna pay.

thomas

March 25th, 2010
10:01 am

USinUK,

I never made a mention of there not being 1, I asked a question. I only discredit Paul’s claim that all kids have to be immunized to go to school, which is just false.

Nice to see that there may be some hope for those religions who DO NOT believe in medicine and refuse to use it. But if our legislators were serious about those peoples needs and concerns they would have included it in the bill. 1 more page would not have been too much to ask to a bill of over 2000 pages.

Any way you want to package this, it is the very first time in USA history in which our government has forced each and everyone of us to buy a product that we may not want or use.

This looks like a simple loss of choice for the citizens today. A loss of choice is usually called a loss of freedom.

Doggone/GA

March 25th, 2010
10:02 am

“If you don’t like the US, then get out”

But I never said that. I was only pointing out, as in the quote I provided, that there ARE other options.

Gandalf, the White

March 25th, 2010
10:02 am

You don’t have to drive Curious Observer, that is such a liberal arguement!

Nationalize the Health Care Industry…2016 objective of these fine :roll: liberals…
By the way…Barry said the Great Teddy Roosevelt was a republican when he supported universal health care, any sane person knows he was a BULL MOOSE…and it left those believes behind when got old, he actually rejoined the Repulicans…Barry doesn’t know constitional law or history!
:roll:
Damn Skippy!

Sharon Zirn

March 25th, 2010
10:02 am

Bankrupting the state is much more absurd!! Read the health care bill and then think about the state’s fiscal responsibility.

Scout

March 25th, 2010
10:03 am

Paul:

It’s still a choice ……….. you can home school and stay out of the govenment schools.

Jay:

1) Our country started with slavery. A very bad idea but a practice world-wide at the time (and still is in many places today).
2) Our Constitution supported it or we would never have become a nation (excuse me ….. a “United States”.)
3) The North started the War by trying to resupply Ft. Sumpter in violation of an agreement.
4) Our country through its policies is slowly but surely returning people to economic and political slavery so we are almost full circle.

thomas

March 25th, 2010
10:03 am

Paul

March 25th, 2010
9:59 am

Answer this then,

Do I have to immunize my child if I choose to Home school them?

Yes or No answer please

Gandalf, the White

March 25th, 2010
10:04 am

Teddy did like Ross and split the ticket, allowing another liberal to tear at the roots of the Republic…
just sayin’
:roll:
Damn Skippy!

Doggone/GA

March 25th, 2010
10:04 am

“Insurance premiums will go UP…not down.”

and they would go up (as they have already) regardless.

TnGelding

March 25th, 2010
10:04 am

Ever heard of state’s rights? However, Sonny should rely on our chief lawyer. A lot of people enjoy a good circus.

Normal

March 25th, 2010
10:06 am

Gandalf,
“Howdy hey there Normal! Been away for a long time”

Are you out on parole? :D

Gandalf, the White

March 25th, 2010
10:06 am

TnGelding, Barry has repealed State’s Rights, he is replacing them with State’s Lefts…

:-)

thomas

March 25th, 2010
10:07 am

Doggone,

you are correct you did not use those Exact words.

you basically told me that if I didn’t want to purchase health insurance that there are many places that do not require it and maybe I should go live in one of them.

Why should I a natural born citizen have my options ever be purchase a product, or leave the country?

What happened to my freedom of choice? Its my body and my choice what to do with it, or does that argument only work for women and abortion?

Why are you so oppossed to me having and excercising my freedom of choice, and still live here?

M Percy (Banned by Cynthia Tucker)

March 25th, 2010
10:07 am

(I tried to post this over there first, since I’ve been banned…it seems on topic for Jay’s posting today)

Enter your comments hereI condemned the words used against John Lewis and Barney Frank (although it does seem odd that with all the cameras rolling, not a single one captured these epithets being hurled, so we only have the word of the Congressmen and their staffers, and I suppose we must believe them because they are all honorable men). I condemn these acts of vandalism and violence, and hope that the perpetrators are brought to justice soon.

I encourage those who might be tempted, in their outrage at the actions of Ms. Pelosi and her minions, to act out in such a manner: don’t. Use your anger to drive these people out of office in November.

Without making any judgment as to the validity of these latest of these allegations, because the Congressmen affect are certainly all honorable men, let us remember that there is a long history of false claims. Just a while ago, right here in Georgia, we had an arsonist try to claim that she had been victimized with racial graffiti and that someone tried to burn her house down because she supported Obama. We know now that was false.

I really do not doubt that some unstable person, who feels personally betrayed by the actions of Ms. Pelosi and crew, thought for a moment that tossing a brick through a window seemed like a good idea, and that these incidents did happen.

But to paint everyone who has an honest philosophical opposition to the bill is somehow a violent racist is just dishonest and lazy.

N-GA

March 25th, 2010
10:07 am

A legal review of mandatory immunization can be found here: http://fas.org/sgp/crs/RS21414.pdf

It notes that every state has a mandatory immunization statute requiring children to get specific immunizations in order to be enrolled in public or private schools. But many have have provided exemptions for religious or health reasons.

Shawny

March 25th, 2010
10:08 am

True, arguments at the state level are a waste of time. This should be challenged at the federal level for being unconstitutional, which it is.
Fact: Under the bill signed by the prez, if you are healthy and self employed, you may not wish to buy insurance, but you will be forced to. That is wrong.

Doggone/GA

March 25th, 2010
10:08 am

“Why should I a natural born citizen have my options ever be purchase a product, or leave the country?”

but those are not your only options. You could, for example, convert to the Amish religion.

Gandalf, the White

March 25th, 2010
10:09 am

Normal,

Nope, I am an escapee….

“Got two reasons why I cry away each lonely night,
First one is sweet Emily,
She’s my hearts delight,
Second one is prison,
The sheriff’s on my tale,
If he catches up with me,
I’ll spend my life in jail”
The Dead

thomas

March 25th, 2010
10:09 am

N-GA

March 25th, 2010
10:07 am

But one still has the choice to home school right?

There is no choice in this Bill, none.

How are we free if we do not have a legal choice?

Paul

March 25th, 2010
10:10 am

md 9:57

I saw the exchange. They seemed to have a bit of trouble understanding one another.

On the bright side, O’Reilly raised many of the objections people have. Rep Wiener (and several web sites) made the mistake of taking a journalist’s question as the journalist advocating a position. He was, as I said, repeating a lot of the objections floating about.

I believe Rep Wiener countered every one of them.

The difficulty came when BOR asked who would enforce penalties for not buying insurance. Rep Wiener said it wouldn’t be criminalized. BOR asked again which agency would do the fines. Rep Wiener did not, I think understand that question until the end. The littering example he gave – a proper followup question would have been ‘which gov’t agency levies the fine or collects the fine?’

But the fine is so low as to be meaningless.

http://www.mediaite.com/online/bill-oreilly-and-anthony-weiner-spar-over-health-carethe-irs-and-the-truth/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+mediaite%2FClHj+%28Mediaite%29

Outhouse GoKart

March 25th, 2010
10:10 am

“and they would go up (as they have already) regardless.”

The coming increases, however, will be much more severe.

Everyone enjoy the screwing from the Capitol hill idiots.

md

March 25th, 2010
10:10 am

” We’ve gotten sick of paying higher premiums, higher taxes, and higher medical costs to cover for people who think they’ll never need health insurance until they get sick or injured and can’t pay the bills—at which point we have to pay it.”

Interesting – so what has changed??

Curious Observer

March 25th, 2010
10:11 am

“I think most people are wondering how mandating that everyone(sick and healthy) is going to lower premiums. I agree w/ the pre-existing conditions thing, but it’s not going to lower premiums.

The concept is called anti-selection or sometimes adverse selection or sometimes just selection against the insurer, Outhouse. It’s the concept that people most likely to use insurance are also the most likely to buy it. If everybody in an insurance pool is most likely to use it, the cost of that insurance will be high. However, if there’s a truly representative mixture of healthy and unhealthy people in the pool, the cost will be lower than it would be otherwise.

Part of our health insurance problem is that young, healthy people have been avoiding health insurance coverage, unless it’s provided as part of an employment agreement. The implications of that ought to be obvious.

With that being said, I wouldn’t want to be an insurer entering one of those state cooperatives the feds are going to set up. Overwhelmingly, the people seeking out health insurance coverage will be the sicker ones with chronic conditions, and some don’t even know they have chronic conditions because they haven’t been to a doctor in many years.

Night Train

March 25th, 2010
10:11 am

The 2nd amendment has always been referred to as the “reset button” for the constitution. Heaven forbid that the lunatic fringe takes this route.

Gandalf, the White

March 25th, 2010
10:11 am

M Percy congrats! Cynny is such a twit, she’s the reason I don’t subscribe to the AJC. I won’t sign up again until the fire her…

Gandalf, the White

March 25th, 2010
10:13 am

Heaven forbid Barry destroys the Republic!

:-)

Damn Skippy!

thomas

March 25th, 2010
10:13 am

Doggone,

nope then that infringes upon my right to a freedom of my religon!

And the Amish are being givin an exception that other religions are not afforded. Therefore an inproper weight of government and religion. Other religions don’t believe in medicine either why can I not choose one of them. Oh yeah our government doesn’t recognize thier worth I supposse.

Gandalf, the White

March 25th, 2010
10:13 am

I blame Ross Perot…

Doggone/GA

March 25th, 2010
10:14 am

“but you will be forced to”

and I am adamantly opposed to the wat in Iraq, yet I am forced to help pay for it.

Gandalf, the White

March 25th, 2010
10:14 am

No new taxes, this is so fun!
No help from congress for Barry after 2010 elections, he is toast.

kayaker 71

March 25th, 2010
10:15 am

No one has to buy health care insurance on the new plan. All they have to do is to pay a $750 fine (tax) if they don’t want to be covered ( repeats every year), soon to be collected by a bevy of 16K new IRS agents hired specifically to handle the new influx of tax revenue. This, BTW, is levied on everyone, regardless of income level. “No new taxes on anyone making less than 250K/yr., not one thin dime”.

N-GA

March 25th, 2010
10:15 am

Thomas….perhaps we can kill the proverbial 2 birds with one stone. The purchase of health insurance would be mandatory unless a person of legal age signed a permanent waver. They could be treated at medical facilities, but only if they fully paid for the services. We could also use that event to enforce the requirement. If someone showed up at a medical facilty who had neither signed the waver nor paid for health insurance, they would then suffer the penalty……of course minors would still need coverage unless the responsible adult agreed to be financially responsible for their healthcare expenses. Just a thought..

NowReally

March 25th, 2010
10:15 am

The State of Georgia has so many “Auto Related” things I am required to do by law or I am fined. NONE OF WHICH ARE IN THE CONSTITUTION

I can’t drive a car in this state, without purchasing auto insurance (mandated by the state).

I am required by law to obtain a drivers license, before I can use the vehicle on the road. Penalty is usually jail and/or fines.

If I let the auto insurance lapse, my license will be suspended and I have to pay a fine. (State laws)

I am required to have a valid tag, with emissions before I can obtain a new tag and I must pay the taxes each year.

I am required to wear my seat belt or I will be fined. (state law and it effects none drivers)

It’s truly funny that the state of Georgia will impeach a man for not finding a case for implementing health insurance requirements in this state. However, they have so many other auto insurance related laws on the books.

Of course, I should not be suprise that Republicans would think it is important to protect property over human life. LOL : )

The sad thing is that if I am in a car accident, my car and any others vehicles involved will be repaired; before my body heals or someone recieves health related care due to the accident.

M Percy (Banned by Cynthia Tucker)

March 25th, 2010
10:16 am

If the bill can force everyone to purchase a product, health insurance, or face a fine, does this not set a precedent to allow the government to force everyone to buy another product or face a fine?

What if we as a people get tired of bailing people out every time there is a flood, earthquake, hurricane, brush fire, or tornado. Can we now say it is Constitutional to have Congress pass a law to force every person to buy flood+homeowner’s insurance? Or for renters, flood+renter’s insurance?

Can we pass a law to force everyone to buy a life insurance policy that will provide 10 years of income to your family if you die, or if you have no family, a policy that will cover ten years of taxes that you would have had to pay had you lived?

What if we decide that communications are a critical human right? Can we pass a law to force everyone to buy a cell-phone so that they are able to call 911 at all times?

Doggone/GA

March 25th, 2010
10:17 am

“nope then that infringes upon my right to a freedom of my religon!”

If you CHOOSE to convert, then what infringement is there?

Gandalf, the White

March 25th, 2010
10:17 am

I don’t know how you can oppose “wat” in Iraq, Hussien was a monster….WE ARE THE SUPERPOWER. Doggone/GA, do you let bullies beat up you kids in your neighborhood? I hope not, violence can only be destroy with violence. Sorry that this is true, but it is…

Doggone/GA

March 25th, 2010
10:18 am

“does this not set a precedent to allow the government to force everyone to buy another product or face a fine?”

Oh….those terrible slippery slopes.

md

March 25th, 2010
10:18 am

“The State of Georgia has so many “Auto Related” things I am required to do by law or I am fined. NONE OF WHICH ARE IN THE CONSTITUTION”

To put a quick end to your list, no one is required to drive, it is still a choice.

Gandalf, the White

March 25th, 2010
10:19 am

Enter your comments here

thomas

March 25th, 2010
10:19 am

Doggone/GA

March 25th, 2010
10:14 am

Who forced you to buy a war bond?

Did someone make you pay a tax others are not paying, because they are purchasing something that benfits the war?

There is a difference. The Iraqi war is paid for by taxes already collected. There was no new war tax put in that we all pay.

Again I have read your post and find you to be smarter than this and understand that your comparission was not nearly the same but that darned intellectual dishonesty of yours wouldn’t allow a apples to apples example from you.

I guess you are glad your taxes are being used to fight the war in Afgan. as I noticed you ommitted that war from your post.

Doggone/GA

March 25th, 2010
10:20 am

“Hussien was a monster….WE ARE THE SUPERPOWER”

then why have we not invaded other coutries with monsters for leaders? or does “might make right” only when it’s convenient?

Iraq was no threat to us, never attacked us, was being contained by us. Give it up, you will NEVER convince me we had the right to attack that country at that time.

md

March 25th, 2010
10:20 am

Now, if/when gov’t motors requires us to buy their cars, then you can add that to your list.

Gandalf, the White

March 25th, 2010
10:20 am

Now Really, think there is a pefectly good seat on MARTA for you…liberal all take it so you can have someone to chat with!

N-GA

March 25th, 2010
10:21 am

The guarantee of freedom of religion doesn’t automatically give churches exemptions from taxes. The fact that they have such exemptions forces me to pay, via taxation, for their very existence. I wonder what would happen if all church property was taxed, all church revenues (donations, investments, etc.) were taxed, and all personal deductions for making those donations/tithes were eliminated.

We would probably get a balanced budget, fewer churches, etc.

Paul

March 25th, 2010
10:21 am

thomas

my sentence should have read “Saying we should deny TREATMENT to people won’t work, as we already have established law preventing that. ”

Your 10:01 [[I only discredit Paul’s claim that all kids have to be immunized to go to school, which is just false.]]

Just when did you disprove that kids can attend school without being immunized?!!?
The point wasn’t school attendance – the point was your assertion the gov’t has never required purchase, which you reiterated (”Any way you want to package this, it is the very first time in USA history in which our government has forced each and everyone of us to buy a product that we may not want or use”).

Scout

[[t’s still a choice ……….. you can home school and stay out of the govenment schools.]]

The problem I see with that is not all parents who may not want to be forced to buy an immunization have the choice of home schooling. Take a single parent with children as an example – they really don’t have the choice to stay home, do they?

thomas – your 10:03 – see above.

It’s usually considered polite to answer a question before posing one. Have you a response of what to do about people denied coverage for preexisting conditions?

Gandalf, the White

March 25th, 2010
10:22 am

Doggone, I am not opposed to attacking other countries with monsters for leaders…not in the least.

thomas

March 25th, 2010
10:22 am

doggone,

“If you CHOOSE to convert, then what infringement is there?”

I believe a religious change in a spirtual choice, and therfore not a cognitive one.

In other words for one to truely change religion is not a choice but a need or a feeling. But not a cognative choice. Thats like saying gay people choose to be gay. Or are you making that claim too?

Gandalf, the White

March 25th, 2010
10:24 am

What is all this talk about happy people?

just sayin’!

Gandalf, the White

March 25th, 2010
10:24 am

We should all choose to be gay and happy! a gay marraige is a happy one!

md

March 25th, 2010
10:25 am

“Just when did you disprove that kids can attend school without being immunized?!!?
The point wasn’t school attendance – the point was your assertion the gov’t has never required purchase”

Paul – for the most part, many public health depts provide immunizations “free” of charge, so folks are not required to buy them.

USinUK

March 25th, 2010
10:27 am

m percy –

“Can we now say it is Constitutional to have Congress pass a law to force every person to buy flood+homeowner’s insurance? ”

it already is.

“What if we decide that communications are a critical human right?”

they already have – which is why we had the telecommunications act of 1996 to make sure no areas of the country were without access to telephony services.

Gandalf, the White

March 25th, 2010
10:27 am

So…what about that Braves rotation this year?

FBI

March 25th, 2010
10:27 am

We are keeping Guantanamo open for terrorists and those who advocate terrorism. Expect us at your door. We won’t be reading yo any miranda rights either. Terrorists deserve no rights.

Doggone/GA

March 25th, 2010
10:27 am

“a apples to apples example from you.”

I see no difference between being required to buy car insurance and being required to buy health insurance. And yes, I already know that buying a car is a choice. So is living in this country.

“I guess you are glad your taxes are being used to fight the war in Afgan. as I noticed you ommitted that war from your post.”

Not glad, no…but resigned to the necessity of it’s having been started. That it still continues I find disgusting…but when the previous admin sat on it’s hands on Afghanistan for nearly 8 years, I am also resigned to the fact that we will need some time to catch up and finish what should have been completed a long time ago.

Gandalf, the White

March 25th, 2010
10:29 am

Doggone, I say you aren’t thinking critically…

Off to Guantanamo

March 25th, 2010
10:29 am

Seeker,

You can expect a knock on your door and an indefinite stay at Guantanamo . No lawyers, no phone calls, and NO MIRANDA warning. Terrorists and their advocates deserve none !

getalife

March 25th, 2010
10:30 am

Go get em FBI.

Karma for the cons.

Gandalf, the White

March 25th, 2010
10:30 am

Iraq, easy place to fight a lightning war
Afgan terrain, much toughter…mountains…

Paul

March 25th, 2010
10:30 am

md

And how to those public health departments operate? Through mandatory taxes paid by the citizens. So for those who pay taxes, it’s indirect – they pay taxes, the taxes go to the health dept, the person gets the immunization. For those who don’t pay taxes, it’s a subsidy provided by their fellow citizens!

N-GA

March 25th, 2010
10:31 am

FBI – I guess you are certain that every single person detained under the suspision that he/she is a terrorist is actually a terrorist. I mean no need for a trial, right? Just lynch ‘em.

Paul

March 25th, 2010
10:32 am

Off to Gitmo 10:29

Can the fact someone advocates violence and is picked up carrying a commie weapon (AK-47) to kill real Americans be taken as evidence of being a terrist?

Doggone/GA

March 25th, 2010
10:32 am

“I believe a religious change in a spirtual choice, and therfore not a cognitive one”

and if you truly believe that you should not be forced to buy health insurance, would not a change of church be a spiritual one? As you would be joining a church whose spiritual beliefs coincide with yours?

and spiritual or cogintive, it’s still a choice.

USinUK

March 25th, 2010
10:32 am

Normal – 10:06 – I thought the same thing!!! :lol:

N-GA

March 25th, 2010
10:32 am

that would be “suspicion”, of course. Doh!

kayaker 71

March 25th, 2010
10:33 am

All of the tax implications and laws requiring insurance for your car, home, etc. are state mandates, not federal ones. The states are free to mandate this, according to their laws but never in the history of this country has the federal government assumed that power on it’s citizens. Apples and bananas.

Scout

March 25th, 2010
10:33 am

Night Train:

We are NOWHERE near that point and I don’t think we will be in my lifetime but thankfully our “lunatic fringe” founding fathers had the guts or we wouldn’t be here as we are now.

Doggone/GA

March 25th, 2010
10:34 am

“Doggone, I say you aren’t thinking critically…”

and I disagree

USinUK

March 25th, 2010
10:35 am

N-ga – “FBI – I guess you are certain that every single person detained under the suspision that he/she is a terrorist is actually a terrorist. I mean no need for a trial, right? Just lynch ‘em.”

I believe you’re missing the point … since the RIGHT believes that, this is a case of being hoisted on your own petard …

N-GA

March 25th, 2010
10:35 am

kayaker…..is there a medicare or social security deduction on your paycheck stub?

Scout

March 25th, 2010
10:36 am

P.S. to Night Train:

Just as a hypothetical ……….. what would it take for “you” (in othere words what right could the government take away) to push that “reset button” ? Can you name something?

Disgusted

March 25th, 2010
10:36 am

Pay up, kayaker, or else join the Seeker in your little rebellion. Let’s see how you stack up against the 82nd Airborne and the 2nd Marine Division.

thomas

March 25th, 2010
10:36 am

Paul

March 25th, 2010
10:21 am

“Just when did you disprove that kids can attend school without being immunized?!!?”

Are you saying children who are homeschooled are not attending school, or are you saying children who are homeschooled have to be immunized as well?

Unless you are saying that those homeschooled do not attend school, I have disproven your point that the gov’t has forced all of the citizens to purchase something. Cause……… you have the choice to homeschool, you do not have to send your child to a public or private school.

Now do you see where the gov. has never forced us into this type of action?

About pre-existing conditions.

I feel we should go with the model of allowing anyone to gain insurance regardless of any pre-existing condition. However insurance companies should not be forced to pay out upon claims in direct link with the pre-existing condition for a period of up to 1 year after the start of premium collections. After the 1 year there is no longer any pre-existing conditions, allowing for all claims to be covered as any other member covered under the insurance plan.

Thus eliminating people from going off when well and back on insurance when sick. Also it would remove the risk of people not gaining any insurance due to a pre-existing condition.

Would need some tweeking, but I am not a full time politician and do not have the time to research it that much further. I think its a good idea though.

Gator Joe

March 25th, 2010
10:36 am

Jay,
The Republicans’ feeble attempts to stop healthcare reform, which is now law, reminds me of Roadrunner-Wiley Coyote cartoons. Republicans are enjoying about as much success as Wiley.

Message to Governor Perdue and other Republicans: “Elections Matter,” as you often reminded us during the Bush years (W). If you want to change or undue legally enacted Democratic legislation, then do so “the old fashioned way,” work hard to win elections.

Hakui Guy

March 25th, 2010
10:37 am

Gandalf, the White

To all the patriots that run from the law,

but they don’t run to fast.

Salud.

And here’s to you Roady-

Road Scholar …statist

reaches for retirement wealth

no where to be had.

Paul

March 25th, 2010
10:38 am

kayaker 71

Congratulations! Well done! I was wondering when that distinction would be raised.

But… according to the Centers for Disease Control, there are federal requirements for immunization, even to the extent that parents must be immunized before immunizations are administered to children.

http://www.hhs.gov/nvpo/law.htm

Outhouse GoKart

March 25th, 2010
10:38 am

Your arguments are invalid and stupid. There will be a huge premium increase and other than those who opt for the fine WILL PAY!

Pay your BILLS…

Doggone/GA

March 25th, 2010
10:39 am

N-GA – “unless a person of legal age signed a permanent waver. They could be treated at medical facilities, but only if they fully paid for the services”

the problem with this is that you are asking that doctors and nurses stand idly by and allow, possibly, someone to die because they can’t afford treatement. It’s not outside the bounds of possibility that such lack of care could be considered some form of manslaughter (at worst) or some kind of “derelcition of duty” at best.

I would want to put those doctors and nurses in the position of having to put money before someone’s life or health.

thomas

March 25th, 2010
10:40 am

Doggone/GA

March 25th, 2010
10:32 am

“and spiritual or cogintive, it’s still a choice.”

Not really, its like breathing. I can choose to stop breathing but all that will happen is I will pass out and then resume normal breathing, as I will no longer be making cogintive decisions since conscience needs to be present to be cogintive. The only way I could stop breathing is if something FORCES me to stop. My choice would not be enough alone.

Normal

March 25th, 2010
10:41 am

“The Moderate Republican, an Endandered Species?”

http://www.thenation.com/doc/20100405/scheer

Normal

March 25th, 2010
10:43 am

Gandalf, the White

March 25th, 2010
10:27 am
So…what about that Braves rotation this year?

If they rotate from right to left, I’m all for it…

md

March 25th, 2010
10:43 am

“Can we now say it is Constitutional to have Congress pass a law to force every person to buy flood+homeowner’s insurance? ”

it already is”

There is no provision that requires anybody to buy flood or homeowners insurance. If one acquires a mortgage they might be required by the mortgage company, but there are no gov’t requirements.

Paul – you have a point there, but we are also dealing with health and possible effects on all – just like defense.

If an individual is financially capable to support his/her decision to not have health insurance, that affects no one but the individual. I believe that is the case being made.

mike

March 25th, 2010
10:43 am

Well, just bite me! Jay, your liberal bias is so expected. If you believe that this bill is so great and that all people are enthused about it, read the MSNBC poll yesterday which shows that 67% of americans are not in favor of this bill and are angry about its passage. Even a liberal rag like MSNBC, one of the president’s chief syncophants, cant hide the truth any more…

Jacky Jack

March 25th, 2010
10:43 am

Jay. As the current “conservative” elected officals continue to chase trivial things, I find I agree with you more and more though I take no pleasure in that admission. They are absolutely clueless about the average working class family. They seem to have 2 simple agendas: (1) Improve their own personal wealth (2) getting re- elected and proving how utterly out of touch they are with working class. I’m sorry. Make that 3 simple agendas.

Paul

March 25th, 2010
10:46 am

thomas

I said nothing about immunizations and home schooling, as I recall. You did. I did say not all people have the choice of getting kids immunized or home schooling them.

But if parents want to home school kids rather than protect them from polio, measles, etc… well, let’s just hope idiocy is not genetic.

Thanks for the response on preexisting conditions. That’s an option. The problem I see is the cost of many, many procedures for which preexisting treatment is denied. Many cost models are built upon lifetime payments of premiums to spread cost. One year of premiums doesn’t come close to the cost of some treatments. So what you have is, people get a serious illness, pay a thousand or two in premiums and get hundreds of thousands in treatment. That seems to be a serious difficulty.

AmVet

March 25th, 2010
10:47 am

Sonny “Pray for Rain” is Georgia’s equivalent of George (as in GWB) of the Bungle.

Inept, embarrassing, clearly an intellectual lightweight and incapable of delivering on behalf of the people of Georgia. (Unless of course, one includes corporations as people.)

He and his GOP fiscal non-conservatives are currently running a 1.5 billion dollar deficit. (Granted, the BushCo orchestrated economic collapse has had a big hand in that.)

The political party he heads up and is supposedly the leader of, is absolutely rife with corruption, scandals and frauds. Including his sordid Houston County “deal” where he did not disclose the property or any interest on his financial disclosure forms for calendar years 2003 and 2004, as required by Georgia law.

In my mind, his greatest accomplishments are getting the secessionist traitors their flag back. (Well sort of, They just couldn’t pull off getting the Stars and Bars back.) And keeping our quasi-prohibition in place for the godly Christian types.

With clowns like this, no wonder it took the GOP 150 years to find someone to sit in the governors mansion.

Paul

March 25th, 2010
10:50 am

md

[[If an individual is financially capable to support his/her decision to not have health insurance, that affects no one but the individual. I believe that is the case being made.]]

Well, when we look at the population of those who don’t have health insurance (and for millions it is voluntary) then I’d guess the number that can pay all foreseeable costs is very, very, very small.

Many do self insure. It covers routine stuff, but let anything major happen and it’s only the extremely wealthy that would have the resources to pay for treatment.

TaxPayer

March 25th, 2010
10:51 am

Republicans are sure enough cracking even more than they have to date. Their sadness is strangely entertaining though… amusing… even suspenseful. They do manage to keep me wondering what foolish and childish little gimmick they will dream up next. And their constituency… the quaint little tea partiers. I wonder if they remember to extend their little pinky whilst consuming. hehehehe.

USinUK

March 25th, 2010
10:51 am

thomas –

“Not really, its like breathing”

sorry, your choice of religion isn’t at all like breathing.

I know a lot of catholics who moved on to different religions (or left all together), christians who became jews, hindus who became sikh, etc … if it was as mechanical as breathing, that would not be possible.

Bosch

March 25th, 2010
10:51 am

I’m late to the party, so spending millions on a lawsuit which will end in no where for political grandstanding is ok?

I agree with sfd, the stupid indeed burns.

Bosch

March 25th, 2010
10:53 am

Hey Gandalf’s back! Hey Gandalf!

Paul

March 25th, 2010
10:54 am

I guess the way I see it is, unless we want to endorse suicide as a treatment option (I’ll make the decision to not get treatment if I get sick) then I really don’t see a way around mandatory insurance to cover forcing insurance companies to accept all applicants. Unless people want to continue to pay for other people’s health care.

M Percy (Banned by Cynthia Tucker)

March 25th, 2010
10:55 am

USinUK @10:27 am

No, there’s no such law requiring you to buy flood+homeowner’s insurance. Your lender probably requires it, but I can find no such law in the US Code and no penalty associated with it. If it’s required, why do we have to pay out of disaster funds for Katrina victims, etc.?

The Telecom acts does not require anyone to actually buy the telephone service (and there’s certainly no fines for not buying service) and there are still plenty of households in this country where access is simply unavailable, primarily small communities in very remote regions.

USinUK

March 25th, 2010
10:55 am

md – I believe if you look at the Flood Disaster protection act, you’ll find that it’s required not only for mortgage holders in flood hazard areas, it also implies that, even if you don’t hold a mortgage, you have to hold it if you want to be eligible for aid if disaster strikes.

Night Train

March 25th, 2010
10:55 am

USinUK at 10:27 wrote:
“Can we now say it is Constitutional to have Congress pass a law to force every person to buy flood+homeowner’s insurance? ” it already is.
“What if we decide that communications are a critical human right?”
they already have – which is why we had the telecommunications act of 1996 to make sure no areas of the country were without access to telephony services.

Sorry USinUK, I believe that it is the lender that requires homeowners insurance. As I own my house free and clear, I am not required to have insurance. I do have insurance as only a fool would not cover what is probably their biggest investment.

As for the telecommunication act of 1996, it does not mandate that I have a phone. There is a difference.

USinUK

March 25th, 2010
10:56 am

m percy – I didn’t say that the telecom act required people to buy phones, but it did require companies to service all areas – in other words, everyone had to have access as a human right.

thomas

March 25th, 2010
10:56 am

Paul, I brought up home schooling as being the choice the government has left us in the relm of immunizations. We have a choice or freedom to choose to have any shots. hell my kid goes to public pre-k so he’s shot up but if i really didn’t want to the gov. couldn’t force me to or make me pay a fine. With this new bill we have no choice.

I do not have any stats to prove, but I would think, from my life experience that many who are excluded by a pre-existing don’t require treatment for the condition for years to come. In which case there would be substantial cost recieved. And remember it is INSURANCE. Not a fund we pay into and can only used what we paid in. Meaning that for all those who are spending more than they pay there are just as many who like me have not made a claim since i began paying into it. My wife nor I get sick very often and have currently been blessed and not had any major medical. So basically we have just been paying in money for others.

Insurance its a risk for both sides!

Paul

March 25th, 2010
10:57 am

Hi Bosch!

Good thread. Worth skimming.

Off topic: V returns. Good recap waiting on my DVR when I returned. And this morning, Bobby Flay Throwdown was Jim Bennet, Montgomery, Georgia, who is the reigning cookoff champion for Georgia and North Carolina for…. cheesy grits! And Mr. Georgia won!

So he has redeemed Georgia’s honor from its bonehead politicians.

USinUK

March 25th, 2010
10:57 am

night train – “I do have insurance as only a fool would not cover what is probably their biggest investment”

yep. and you’re wearing hte only body you’ve got, too … you’d be a fool not to insure it.

Doggone/GA

March 25th, 2010
10:58 am

Paul – “Unless people want to continue to pay for other people’s health care.”

They way I see it, we’re going to pay either way, but insurance helps to spread the cost more fairly.

But I’ve said, and still think, that the insurance industry could have stopped the whole “healthcare reform” initiative dead by simply setting up some kind of group insurance, similar to employee insurance, that did not preclude existing conditions…and then lobbying Congress to subsidize the payments for those unable to pay on their own.

They COULD HAVE stopped it, but they chose not to.

USinUK

March 25th, 2010
10:58 am

USinUK

March 25th, 2010
10:59 am

Doggone – 10:58 – “They way I see it, we’re going to pay either way, but insurance helps to spread the cost more fairly. ”

I second that emotion! it truly is a “you can pay me now or you can pay me later” situ

NowReally

March 25th, 2010
11:00 am

Gandalf, the White

March 25th, 2010
10:20 am
Now Really, think there is a pefectly good seat on MARTA for you…liberal all take it so you can have someone to chat with!

If I lived within 25 miles of MARTA, I would. However, I don’t. The republican fools in my county don’t want Marta or anything else related to transportation.

MD – you have a choice, pay the fines and keeping paying taxes to subsidize everyone else who decided to purchase health insurance. You don’t have to purchase health insurance, but be willing to keep accepting the consequences for your CHOICE. I made my choice at 16 to get a license, purchase a vehicle and insurance. Now it’s your turn.

Every body has a choice, just like you said. You can choose to keep paying the fine and I am absolutely okay with it. If I were in charge, I would set the fines based upon your income level.

Peadawg

March 25th, 2010
11:01 am

“I see no difference between being required to buy car insurance and being required to buy health insurance”

If you don’t own a car, you don’t have to buy car insurance or pay a fine or anything. If you’re healthy, you’ll still have to buy health insurance or risk paying a fine. Still see no difference, Doggone?

And I still haven’t seen a logical explanation of how premiums are going to go down with all the insurance companies required to cover all these sick people. Like I said in my 10:00 post…great idea in theory but not in practice.

Bosch

March 25th, 2010
11:02 am

Hi Paul!

I need to meet this Jim Bennet person – and become his best friend. I don’t think anyone, not even Mr. Super Cheesy Grits Champion can redeem our state from our totally incompetent stupid politicians — the stupid burns. It burns. Apparently, your Texas School Board is not far behind in the stupid from what I hear.

thomas

March 25th, 2010
11:02 am

USinUK

March 25th, 2010
10:51 am

Maybe bad example by me!

Wasn’t comparing religion and breathing.

Was actually explaing how something spiritual or cognative are not both choices as another poster claimed to me.

I think things that are non-cogintive, are not a choice but more of an instinct.

And for some people thier religion is more of a faith and not a thought, a gut feeling if you will.

Much in the same way a person does not choose to be staright or gay, well to me a person does not choose thier religion.

And I have known many people who were, straigh, then gay, then straight, then gay, then bi, then straight, just as one can switch religions during times of confusion. But ones soul “knows” what type of religion it is.

But I may be wrong with that last example too

Paul

March 25th, 2010
11:03 am

thomas

My main point about home schooling to avoid the immunization mandate is, many, many parents don’t have the choice. They’re single and have to work. The simply cannot afford to stay home. It’s not a question of two parents working for a higher standard of living. It’s about one parent working to survive and not rely on others to pay his or her way.

So in this case, not everyone has the choice to opt out. So it’s essentially mandatory for them.

I’d rather think that the conditions for which insurance companies refuse to accept an applicant are pretty serious and pretty near-term. I don’t think ‘overweight’ is such a condition. But ‘heart attack’ or ‘cancer’ is. Lots and lots of cancers hit young adults. Lots of other conditions hit young adults.

And again, it’s like car insurance in the sense that while many people may hardly ever have a claim, it’s millions and millions paying premiums that allow the claims to be paid for people whose claim costs more than a year or two’s worth of insurance.

Doggone/GA

March 25th, 2010
11:04 am

“it truly is a “you can pay me now or you can pay me later” situ”

And not only that, and the thing that seems to be left out of the equation altogether, is the subject of communicable diseases. All those “I’m young and healty, I don’t need insurance” types would be singing an entirely different tune if they became gravely ill with a serious communicable disease because someone too poor to pay for healthcare was turned away fy, or never went to, a doctor or hospital…and became a roving source of infection for all they came in contact with. A “Typhoid Mary” if you will.

It has always been that scenario that is the foundation for my support of healthcare reform. And as I’ve said, I would have prefered single payer, but something is better than nothing.

Bosch

March 25th, 2010
11:04 am

Hi USinUK – good for them! And PETER!!! Ya’ gotta love Peter.

OK, so now we’re gonna have a “special attorney general” to sue — :roll:

The stupid never stops.

IRS

March 25th, 2010
11:05 am

Pay your taxes and I won’t lock your sorry arses up. We’ll decide what to spend them on. That pretty much sums up your rights.

You’re Welcome

The Thin Guy

March 25th, 2010
11:05 am

The Amish visit doctors when they are ill. They don’t oppose medical care at all. They are opposed to insurance. So the Amish will be exempt from Marxist Medicine as they are currently exempt from Social Security and Medicare. They don’t pay taxes to support these wonderful inventions of government. They are like a separate nation just like the Indian reservations. Anything that can be done to oppose the tyranny of Øbungle should be implemented. I couldn’t care less about hypocrisy or legal merits of lawsuits. As Colonel Saito said in the movie The Bridge on the River Kwai: “Do not speak to me of rules. This is war! This is not a game of cricket!” America is at war with the contemptible dictator and his boyars infesting the White House. First we use every legal way to oppose the loss of our country. Then civil disobedience in the tradition of Henry David Thoreau

http://www.forbes.com/2010/03/23/obamacare-politics-united-states-reform-opinions-columnists-shikha-dalmia.html?boxes=opinionschannellighttop

But an armed revolt is unwise. Hussein and his jack booted thugs have more weapons than we do and they know how to use them. Besides, we tried that in 1861 and it didn’t work.

Doggone/GA

March 25th, 2010
11:06 am

“Still see no difference, Doggone?”

yes, I still see no difference

Peadawg

March 25th, 2010
11:07 am

“but something is better than nothing.”

How is making insurance premiums go up(after the bill) better than…making insurance premiums go up(before the bill)?

Peadawg

March 25th, 2010
11:08 am

“yes, I still see no difference”

Exactly what part of “if you don’t own a car, then you’re not required to buy car insurance” don’t you understand? I’m curious about this…

Peadawg

March 25th, 2010
11:09 am

“How is making insurance premiums go up(after the bill) better than…making insurance premiums go up(before the bill)?”

Should have been: How is making insurance premiums go up(after the bill) better than…insurance premiums going up(before the bill)? -> That sounds better.

Doggone/GA

March 25th, 2010
11:09 am

“They are opposed to insurance”

Actually, they use a form of “insurance” they just don’t call it that. They depend on their community to assist with paying such bills that they can’t afford themselves, in the full knowledge that they have a reciprocal responsibility to assist others in the community. That IS insurance.

USinUK

March 25th, 2010
11:10 am

Peadawg – hey, if you don’t have a body, you don’t have to buy health insurance … no one is making you …

M Percy (Banned by Cynthia Tucker)

March 25th, 2010
11:11 am

thomas @10:56 am

“And remember it is INSURANCE. Not a fund we pay into and can only used what we paid in. Meaning that for all those who are spending more than they pay there are just as many who like me have not made a claim since i began paying into it. My wife nor I get sick very often and have currently been blessed and not had any major medical. So basically we have just been paying in money for others. Insurance its a risk for both sides!”

First of all, the word insurance simply is not applicable anymore. You haven’t “just been paying in money for others”, you’ve been buying the peace of mind that comes from knowing that should something catastrophic happen to you, you’ll be able to carry on without an overwhelming financial hit (up to a point, of course). It’s a bet you’re making with the insurance company, just like when you bet that you won’t wreck your car or have your house burn down. Do you think of your homeowner’s insurance premiums as “just paying for others” when you house doesn’t burn down?

Insurance is a risk for both sides, but the risk is limited. On your part, the risk is quantified by your premium. On the insurers part, the risk is that they must pay out to an individual more than they ever collected from an individual, but statistically the risk is known, and can be accounted for by actuarial methods. Also, there is a maximum level of payout (e.g., your house is covered to $250K, maybe). Finally, there is no way to purchase insurance for a “risk” that has already happened (not without committing fraud, that is).

What “health insurance” has become is a bastardize mix of a pre-paid health plan bundled with an insurance component. The new laws break the insurance component by allowing pre-existing conditions (buying auto insurance after you wrecked your car), disallowing rating (charging higher premiums for higher risk), and removing the caps on payout. That situation is, to be blunt, no longer insurance.

Redneck Convert (R--and proud of it)

March 25th, 2010
11:11 am

Well, I’m sick of this beating around the bush. All these arguments about freedom and Personal Responsibility and all that junk. All this stuff about how you don’t need to drive so auto insurance is diffrent, and all.

Most of us Conservatives don’t want this health insurance law because most of the people it would give insurance to are Those People and the Mexicans. It’s welfare, plain and simple. There, I said it and the rest of you can come out of hiding and say what you really think.

Have a good day everybody.

thomas

March 25th, 2010
11:11 am

Paul,

With alot of the younger patients who are diagnosed with cancer and then defeat the disease. Often they do not have cancer to come back for a few years or many years. They would be the ones who would benefit from the plan I laid out earlier. also allowing the insurance to gain some revenue.

On the 1st point.
Do you see how though possibly not possible, the parent can if they so choose. Even if they cannot afford it and would go broke if they chose to. But with the new health plan there is no opt out. We have no choice in the matter, the Government is going to FORCE us to do something. They are not painting us in a corner. They are taking away every legal option for the first time as I said earlier.

Whacks Eloquent

March 25th, 2010
11:12 am

I dunno Bosch, as long as there is no taxpayer money used, and these guys are doing this pro bono, what reason is there to complain.

Now hopefully the GOP will stop this impeachment talk. We need Baker to stay relevant so that someone can edge out Roy Barnes! Well…maybe impeaching him would make him more popular. I don’t know. Anybody but Barnes!

Paul

March 25th, 2010
11:13 am

Doggone/GA

So much for proactive lobbying, eh?

I see where Bank of America has come up with a program for people in danger of foreclosure. Relieves the person of a lot of debt and keeps the people in their home. Works out for BOA as well. And it wasn’t the idea of a government bureaucrat. Meanwhile, the administration’s plan, well after a year, to keep people in their homes is flat not working and is slammed by gov’t watchdogs. Sure, BOA had self interest at heart. But they did something that was essentially a win-win.

Bosch

The Texas education thing came up again. I’ve pointed out (again) the current board tried to do more of a ‘one for you, one for them” when it came to cons vs lib proposal, and that last time the liberal board shut out all con recommendations. Plus, many of the examples libs are upset about not including… are not now included, which is the result of the previous board’s actions!

Try foodtv dot com and throwdown and grits.

Doggone/GA

March 25th, 2010
11:13 am

“How is making insurance premiums go up(after the bill) better than…making insurance premiums go up(before the bill)?”

That’s the point. The premiums will go up anyway, but if by absorbing that same cost we can ensure that however many millions of uninsured are included in getting better healthcare, then it’s a benefit to us all, instead of only being a benefit to the insurance companies.

Outhouse GoKart

March 25th, 2010
11:14 am

Breaking: Perdue will sue feds over health care on his own

IRS

March 25th, 2010
11:14 am

When hospitals, for example, treat people that cannot pay, whether you call it charity or robbery or whatever, then those that can pay, whether they be covered by insurance or not, will pay enough to cover the lost revenue from those that could not pay. By requiring everyone to have insurance, the government is in fact ensuring a greater level of equality under the law. Now, pay your taxes and quit your whining. By the way, we’re thinking about implementing a whining fee. After all, if we have to listen to it day after day, we might as well get something good out of it.

Doggone/GA

March 25th, 2010
11:15 am

“Exactly what part of “if you don’t own a car, then you’re not required to buy car insurance” don’t you understand? I’m curious about this…”

What part of “if you care enough to not buy health insurance you can always move to another country” don’t you understand? Either way, there IS a choice.

IRS

March 25th, 2010
11:15 am

Breaking: Perdue will sue feds over health care on his own

Would that be with his own money.

M Percy (Banned by Cynthia Tucker)

March 25th, 2010
11:15 am

Being forced to buy auto insurance…I am unaware of any law that says I must buy auto insurance (i.e., to replace my care in case it is damaged). Instead, we may be forced to buy auto liability insurance, which covers the situation where failure to control a 3000lb vehicle at high speeds can cause damage, injury, or death to someone else. Your auto liability insurance doesn’t protect *you*, it protects others.

And, as has been pointed out so often, you don’t have to have it if you don’t drive a car on a public road.

Peadawg

March 25th, 2010
11:15 am

Doggone, so you’re admitting Obama lied to the American people about this bill making our insurance premiums go down?

mm

March 25th, 2010
11:15 am

Jay,

They took the plunge a long time ago.

Grandstanding. That’s what the GOP does best.

AmVet

March 25th, 2010
11:16 am

So I guess the primary question regarding this thread is, in this idiotic endeavor have Sonny and his minions done their part in helping Georgia get it’s first black governor?

Whacks Eloquent

March 25th, 2010
11:18 am

AmVet, anyone but Barnes! I am no fan of the major candidates on either side, may vote for John Monds (Libertarian). He’s black too!

Doggone/GA

March 25th, 2010
11:19 am

“Sure, BOA had self interest at heart. But they did something that was essentially a win-win.”

that’s exactly the point. In essence, it isn’t the government that is forcing the purchase of health insurance…it’s the insurance companies. They had a choice to circumvent the legislation and they blew it, so it was forced on them…and on us.

But I always come back to the communicable disease issue, and therefore I do support some form of healthcare reform. This wasn’t what I would have preferred, but it’s a start.

Paul

March 25th, 2010
11:19 am

thomas

My home schooling is voluntary example was for single parents, so I don’t see how it is voluntary for them. It’s pretty straightforward: go to work, earn a living, send kids to school. Or… stay home, school kids… and have no money coming in.

I do understand the other point about being painted into a corner. But… if we want to have people covered and not denied coverage, I just don’t see a good alternative.

Here’s a thought (then I must get to work): lot of people here, con and lib, advocate a draft. Isn’t that the same concept? Gov’t forcing us to do something we may be opposed to so the majority of people can have what they see as the greater good? But the premium isn’t a few thousand dollars, it’s years of one’s life and the risk of one’s life!

Rather a rhetorical observation. later -

USinUK

March 25th, 2010
11:19 am

AmVet – “have Sonny and his minions done their part in helping Georgia get it’s first black governor?”

bHA … yeah … that’s gonna happen …

Outhouse GoKart

March 25th, 2010
11:21 am

You must purchase auto insurance only IF you OWN/LEASE and automobile.

There in lies the choice.

ObmamCare offers no options.

Bosch

March 25th, 2010
11:21 am

Whacks,

What reason is there to complain? Oh, I dunno, because it’s stupid?

Doggone/GA

March 25th, 2010
11:21 am

“Doggone, so you’re admitting Obama lied to the American people about this bill making our insurance premiums go down?”

Certainly. I always set aside the “promises” of ANY politician that I know, when I hear them, that it is not in their power to keep. If I had a way to stop them from doing that, I would use it.

Outhouse GoKart

March 25th, 2010
11:22 am

Will Barnes be sporting a new color of lipstick for his upcoming Goober run?

Rightwing Troll

March 25th, 2010
11:23 am

Now Seeker covets Jay…

Peadawg

March 25th, 2010
11:23 am

“ObmamCare offers no options.”

But…but…you can move if you don’t like it!!!

Doggone, do you have to pay a fine if you don’t own an automobile?

USinUK

March 25th, 2010
11:23 am

whacks – “I dunno Bosch, as long as there is no taxpayer money used, and these guys are doing this pro bono, what reason is there to complain”

um, it’s not pro-bono on the fed’s part … so, you’re still paying for it.

Rightwing Troll

March 25th, 2010
11:24 am

“Doggone, so you’re admitting Obama lied to the American people about this bill making our insurance premiums go down?”

Are you admitting W lied about WMD’s?

Keep up the good fight!

March 25th, 2010
11:24 am

Absolutely….you dont have to have car insurance if you dont have a car on the road. But those of us who do pay extra for a part of our policy that covers the uninsured/underinsured that do have a car but dont have insurance. There is also medical coverage in most auto insurance. Of course, if you you dont have a car, you dont have to repair it. Unfortunately, everyone has a body. Every body eventually has “repairs”, ‘failures” and the law says that everyone can show up at a hospital and be treated, even the uninsured. Show me a person without a body, and I will agree they dont have to have health insurance.

Of course, the “individual mandate” for insurance was a Republican idea.

“Armed revolt is unwise” — An award winning understatement of moronability.

Peadawg

March 25th, 2010
11:24 am

“that it is not in their power to keep”

Obama and Pelosi seem to think it is……

Whacks Eloquent

March 25th, 2010
11:24 am

Outhouse, I assume it will be brown again!

Doggone/GA

March 25th, 2010
11:25 am

“Doggone, do you have to pay a fine if you don’t own an automobile?”

Do you have to pay a fine if you don’t own a body? Inane questions don’t deserve a serious answer.

Disgusted

March 25th, 2010
11:26 am

And, as has been pointed out so often, you don’t have to have it if you don’t drive a car on a public road.

Oh! I get it! All I have to do is give up my means of livelihood, since I don’t live anywhere near MARTA and can’t afford taxis, and I can be exempted from the mandatory auto liability insurance law. Gotcha! Thanks for pointing this out.

Are you a Georgia school graduate, by any chance?

Peadawg

March 25th, 2010
11:26 am

“Are you admitting W lied about WMD’s?”

Yes. No sugar-coating it. Yes he did lie.

Doggone/GA

March 25th, 2010
11:26 am

“Obama and Pelosi seem to think it is”

I’m not responsibile for their thoughts, only for my own.

pat

March 25th, 2010
11:27 am

They are serving the will of the people. Folks don’t want this health bill. States are attempting to stop it. It’s the right thing to do.

Peadawg

March 25th, 2010
11:28 am

“Do you have to pay a fine if you don’t own a body? Inane questions don’t deserve a serious answer.”

That was the point. It’s stupid to compare auto and health insurance. It’s funny that you still see them as the same. Keep it up. It’s giving me a good laugh!

NowReally

March 25th, 2010
11:28 am

YOU DO HAVE A CHOICE IN HEALTHCARE:

Option # 1 – Purchase a health insurance policy

or

Option # 2 – Pay the Fine for not making the health insurance purchase

If you opt to pay the fine, I hope it is income based and per adults in the household.

Doggone/GA

March 25th, 2010
11:29 am

“Folks don’t want this health bill”

Wrong. SOME “Folks don’t want this health bill”

IRS

March 25th, 2010
11:29 am

You do not have to purchase health care insurance. That is an absolute myth. You can just get sick and die and dare me to try and collect on a fine for you not choosing coverage and health over your principled “logic”.

Works for me.

Peadawg

March 25th, 2010
11:29 am

“I’m not responsibile for their thoughts, only for my own.”

I wish other Democrats were like you sometimes. You can actually see that this bill won’t lower premiums. I respect you for that. But the auto/health insurance comparison…..

Doggone/GA

March 25th, 2010
11:30 am

“It’s stupid to compare auto and health insurance”

And I disagree

AmVet

March 25th, 2010
11:30 am

OK, time for a little levity. (very little.)

I just got my tax return docs back from the CPA and the form required for filing for Georgia 2009 is called Georgia Form 500. Of course I had to sign it, but underneath that line?

A box that says check here if deceased.

You gotta love government bureaucrats…

Peadawg

March 25th, 2010
11:31 am

“Option # 1 – Purchase a health insurance policy
or
Option # 2 – Pay the Fine for not making the health insurance purchase”

Exactly. That’s why health and auto insurance is completely different. You don’t pay a fine for not owning a car.

GoingBroke

March 25th, 2010
11:31 am

So.. looking at the new “taxes” that the insurance companies are going to be paying makes things even more interesting..

Insurer – Taxed = Passed on to you
Your Taxes – Up = Passed on to you
Business taxes + fees + higher costs = Passed on to you

But.. we are insuring people… BTW.. Social Security just set a new benchmark that wasn’t supposed to happen until 2016..

thomas

March 25th, 2010
11:33 am

Disgusted,

you chose to live where you live.

unless you were forced in which case you should contact the police.

so looky there you chose to drive, by choosing to live somewhere that would require you to drive.

choices and elections have Consequences.

USinUK

March 25th, 2010
11:34 am

peadawg – 11:26 – sa-LUTE! i’m impressed.

Rightwing Troll

March 25th, 2010
11:35 am

“Are you admitting W lied about WMD’s?”

“Yes. No sugar-coating it. Yes he did lie.”

I just about fell outta my chair just now… an honest, right leaning person… capable of actually disseminating an honest answer admitting a… well…, we’ll call it a MISTAKE on W’s part.

There is hope for the country after all.

Not for GA however. It looks like the eternally hapless “Go Fish” Sonny Perdue has decided to do an end run around our democratically elected AG and WASTE millions of dollars to join a lawsuit that will, in the end, result in either what he wants to happen, or not, regardless of GA’s involvement or investment. We’re cutting 300 million from our GA colleges, yet we have millions laying around to invest in a lawsuit that affects us whether or not we participate or make the investment…

BRILLIANT!!! I love nut sacks, the gift that keeps on giving…

Outhouse GoKart

March 25th, 2010
11:35 am

“Are you admitting W lied about WMD’s?”

W didnt lie…Saddam Hussein lied.

I Report :-) You Whine :-( Have A Drink On Us, obozo!

March 25th, 2010
11:35 am

Like I’ve been sayin….

The Democrats in Congress and the White House have forced upon the United States of America a federal health care plan designed for people who are too stupid, incompetent and weak to manage their own affairs.

http://www.cleveland.com/obrien/index.ssf/2010/03/kevin_obrien_dont_let_up_until.html

USinUK

March 25th, 2010
11:36 am

thomas – 11:33 – given how pi$$ poor mass trans is in Atlanta, if you live anywhere other than a 500 sq foot part of the middle of the city, you’re forced to drive.

Night Train

March 25th, 2010
11:36 am

This is about as clear and easy to understand as it can be – read it!! The article below is completely neutral, ….not anti republican or democrat.

Charlie Reese, a retired reporter for the Orlando Sentinal has hit the nail directly on the head, defining clearly who it is that in the final analysis must assume responsibility for the judgements made that impact each one of us every day.

It’s a short but good read. Worth the time. Worth remembering!

545 vs. 300,000,000

EVERY CITIZEN NEEDS TO READ THIS AND THINK ABOUT WHAT THIS JOURNALIST HAS SCRIPTED IN THIS MESSAGE. READ IT AND THEN REALLY THINK ABOUT OUR CURRENT POLITICAL DEBACLE..

Charley Reese has been a journalist for 49 years.

545 PEOPLE By Charlie Reese

Politicians are the only people in the world who create problems and then
campaign against them…

Have you ever wondered, if both the Democrats and the Republicans are against deficits, WHY do we have deficits?

Have you ever wondered, if all the politicians are against inflation and high taxes, WHY do we have inflation and high taxes?

You and I don’t propose a federal budget… The president does.

You and I don’t have the Constitutional authority to vote on appropriations. The House of Representatives does.

You and I don’t write the tax code, Congress does.

You and I don’t set fiscal policy, Congress does.

You and I don’t control monetary policy, the Federal Reserve Bank does..

One hundred senators, 435 congressmen, one president, and nine Supreme Court justices equates to 545 human beings out of the 300 million are directly, legally, morally, and individually responsible for the domestic problems that plague this country.

I excluded the members of
the Federal Reserve Board because that problem was created by the Congress. In 1913, Congress delegated its Constitutional duty to provide a sound currency to a federally chartered, but private, central bank.

I excluded all the special interests and lobbyists for a sound reason. They have no legal authority. They have no ability to coerce a senator, a congressman, or a president to do one cotton-picking thing. I don’t care if they offer a politician $1 million dollars in cash. The politician has the power to accept or reject it. No matter what the lobbyist promises, it is the legislator’s responsibility to determine how he votes.

Those 545 human beings spend much of their energy convincing you that what they did is not their fault. They cooperate in this common con regardless of party.

What separates a politician from a normal human being is an excessive amount of gall.
No normal human being would have the gall of a Speaker, who stood up and criticized the President for creating deficits. The president can only propose a budget. He cannot force the Congress to accept it.

The Constitution, which is the supreme law of the land, gives sole responsibility to the House of Representatives for originating and approving appropriations and taxes. Who is the speaker of the House? Nancy Pelosi. She is the leader of the majority party. She and fellow House members, not the president, can approve any budget they want. If the president vetoes it, they can pass it over his veto if they agree to.

It seems inconceivable to me that a nation of 300 million can not replace 545 people who stand convicted — by present facts — of incompetence and irresponsibility. I can’t think of a single domestic problem that is not traceable
directly to those 545 people. When you fully grasp the plain truth that 545 people exercise the power of the federal government, then it must follow that what exists is what they want to exist.

If the tax code is unfair, it’s because they want it unfair.

If the budget is in the red, it’s because they want it in the red.

If the Army & Marines are in IRAQ, it’s because they want them in IRAQ.

If they do not receive social security but are on an elite retirement plan not available to the people, it’s because they want it that way.

There are no insoluble government problems.

Do not let these 545 people shift the blame to bureaucrats, whom they hire and whose jobs they can abolish; to lobbyists, whose gifts and advice they can reject; to regulators, to whom they give the power to regulate and from whom they can take this power. Above all, do not let them con you into the
belief that there exists disembodied mystical forces like “the economy,” “inflation,” or “politics” that prevent them from doing what they take an oath to do.

Those 545 people, and they alone, are responsible.

They, and they alone, have the power.

They, and they alone, should be held accountable by the people who are their bosses.

Provided the voters have the gumption to manage their own employees.

We should vote all of them out of office and clean up their mess!

Charlie Reese is a former columnist of the Orlando Sentinel Newspaper.What you do with this article now that you have read it……… Is up to you.
This might be funny if it weren’t so darned true. Be sure to read all the way to the end:

Tax his land,

Tax his bed,

Tax the table

At which he’s fed.

Tax his tractor,

Tax his mule,

Teach him
taxes

Are the rule.

Tax his work,

Tax his pay,

He works for peanuts

Anyway!

Tax his cow,

Tax his goat,

Tax his pants,

Tax his
coat.

Tax his ties,

Tax his shirt,

Tax his work,

Tax his dirt.

Tax his tobacco,

Tax his drink,

Tax him if he

Tries to think.

Tax his
cigars,

Tax his beers,

If he cries

Tax his tears.
Tax his car,

Tax his gas,

Find other ways

To tax his a$$. Tax all he has Then let him know

That you won’t be done

Till he has no dough…

When he screams and hollers;

Then tax him some more,

Tax him till

He’s good and
sore.

Then tax his coffin,

Tax his grave,

Tax the sod in

Which he’s laid…

Put these words

Upon his tomb,

Taxes drove me

to my
doom…’

When he’s gone,

Do not relax,

Its time to apply

The inheritance tax..

Accounts Receivable Tax

Building Permit Tax

CDL license Tax

Cigarette
Tax

Corporate Income Tax

Dog License Tax

Excise Taxes

Federal Income Tax

Federal Unemployment Tax (FUTA)

Fishing License Tax

Food License Tax

Fuel Permit Tax

Gasoline Tax (currently 44.75 cents per
gallon)

Gross Receipts Tax

Hunting License Tax

Inheritance Tax

Inventory Tax

IRS Interest Charges IRS Penalties (tax on top of tax)

Liquor Tax

Luxury Taxes

Marriage License Tax

Medicare
Tax

Personal Property Tax

Property Tax

Real Estate Tax

Service Charge Tax

Social Security Tax

Road Usage Tax

Sales Tax

Recreational Vehicle Tax

School Tax

State Income Tax

State Unemployment Tax (SUTA)

Telephone Federal Excise Tax

Telephone Federal Universal Ser vice FeeTax

Telephone Federal, State and Local Surcharge Taxes

Telephone Minimum Usage Surcharge=0Tax

Telephone Recurring and Non-recurring Charges Tax

Telephone State
and Local Tax

Telephone Usage Charge Tax

Utility Taxes

Vehicle License Registration Tax

Vehicle Sales
Tax

Watercraft Registration Tax

Well Permit Tax

Workers Compensation Tax

STILL THINK THIS IS FUNNY? Not one of these taxes existed 100 years ago, and our nation was the most prosperous in the world. We had absolutely no national debt, had the largest middle class in the world, and Mom stayed home to raise the kids.

What in the hell happened? Can you spell ‘politicians?’

David

March 25th, 2010
11:37 am

Good piece, Jay. Love it!

Outhouse GoKart

March 25th, 2010
11:38 am

The Dems have to keep their base satisfied with giveaways.

Doggone/GA

March 25th, 2010
11:38 am

“You can actually see that this bill won’t lower premiums.”

It amazes me that more people…on both sides…can’t see to see that. Over the long run (or short run) they ARE going to go up. As a society we are at a cross-roads. We can absorb those greater costs with no changes, or we can change things so more people have access to better healtcare…and still absorb those higher costs.

” I respect you for that. But the auto/health insurance comparison…..”

Insurance is insurance. And, as I have pointed out several times…there ARE other options.

Rightwing Troll

March 25th, 2010
11:39 am

Yes, but it’s not MY representative who does this, it’s all the others…

Peadawg

March 25th, 2010
11:40 am

Ok, Doggone…let’s try this one.

If you live in NYC, you don’t really need a car b/c of taxis, subways, etc. Do you have to buy insurance or risk a fine?
If you live in NYC, you still must purchase health insurance or risk a fine.

Please tell me you see a difference…otherwise I’m seriously questioning your intelligence.

Rightwing Troll

March 25th, 2010
11:40 am

Bout what I expected from you Outhouse. Still toeing the party line on that huh?

thomas

March 25th, 2010
11:40 am

USinUK

March 25th, 2010
11:36 am

No argument but it is still a choice to live whereever one may.

It may be an expensive one to live in said 500 sq foot area, but a choice none the less.

Life is all about choices. Its a little bigger than 500sq. ft. now since you rowed across the pond and all. not much bigger but bigger
.

Paul

March 25th, 2010
11:41 am

Bosch

I’m surrendering. Giving up for tonight. I’ve got shimp. Thick-cut bacon. Vermont and NY cheddar that’s been aged over a year. Primo grits.

Screw cholesterol. That’s why God invented Lipitor!

Pennsylvanian

March 25th, 2010
11:42 am

USinUK – “…you’re forced to drive.” Really? Can’t take a cab? Can’t call a van or limo service? And you are wrong on the ‘96 telecom act; no one is required to buy telecom service. How does that fit the forced healthcare insurance mandate?

Doggone/GA

March 25th, 2010
11:42 am

“otherwise I’m seriously questioning your intelligence.”

Be my guest. Personally, I don’t…and won’t…question yours.

Outhouse GoKart

March 25th, 2010
11:42 am

HCare…85% who have HCare must now be forced, YET AGAIN to pay or help pay for those who refuse to day anything…ie BUMS.

Doggone/GA

March 25th, 2010
11:43 am

“YET AGAIN to pay or help pay for those who refuse to day anything”

Not “yet again”…still.

AmVet

March 25th, 2010
11:43 am

Night Train, informative and humorous. Thanks…

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Maz9ddxEQnM

FinnMcCool

March 25th, 2010
11:45 am

Your Taxes – Up = Passed on to you

Those poor, poor people making more than $250,000. OH, how ever will they manage?

Hold a cup out and repeat: “Alms for the wealthy…alms for the wealthy”

Jackie

March 25th, 2010
11:46 am

We are required to have auto insurance for any vehicle we operate on public highways; we are required to pay Medicare taxes when we work; we are required to pay gasoline taxes to maintain to highways that we use; we are required to pay taxes to maintain the infrastructure; our children are required to take a series of vaccinations to be enrolled in public or private schools; our children are required to attend school until a certain age.

Why are many hand-wringing and fear-mongering when the idea behind the health care reform is to provide medical access to everyone at a lower cost, adding portability to individual health care coverage by not typing that coverage to any employer; reducing the overhead associated with all business by not requiring coverage to be part of benefits packages, lowering cost of doing business and giving individuals more flexibility.

A healthier population is cheaper to maintain.

Keep up the good fight!

March 25th, 2010
11:46 am

pea….. I agree anyone without a body does not need health insurance. I’ll even go one further….no one who is dead needs health insurance. Now you are comparing apples to apples in your NYC discussion.

Outhouse GoKart

March 25th, 2010
11:47 am

Launch of the “Tattletale” “Wussy” Hotline… Shameful

NJ high schools to launch bullying, threat hotline

http://abclocal.go.com/wabc/story?section=news/education&id=7346107

NowReally

March 25th, 2010
11:47 am

Peadawg

March 25th, 2010
11:31 am

Then just because you say so, it makes it okay for the state of Georgia to make me pay auto insurance, just because I drive a car. You don’t make me pay house insurance, why car insurance? Someone could get hurt when they visit my property, just like with my car. Or a tree on my property could fall on a passing car, or a neighbors house, car, etc….

Peadawg

March 25th, 2010
11:48 am

KUTGF @ 11:46. Thank goodness I haven’t lunch yet. I would have spit my drink out on the screen laughing so hard.

Doggone/GA

March 25th, 2010
11:48 am

“Why are many hand-wringing and fear-mongering”

And that is why my preference is for single-payer. Pass a “healthcare tax” and then use it to fund single-payer coverage. We’ll “all” still be “forced” to pay for it, but it will be a legal tax.

Outhouse GoKart

March 25th, 2010
11:49 am

“A healthier population is cheaper to maintain.”

Oh thats right…its for our own good.

Peadawg

March 25th, 2010
11:49 am

NowReally @ 11:47…see my 11:48 post. That goes for your comment as well.

Doggone/GA

March 25th, 2010
11:50 am

“Oh thats right…its for our own good.”

Actually, yes, it is. For reference, see my concerns about communicable diseases.

I Report :-) You Whine :-( Have A Drink On Us, obozo!

March 25th, 2010
11:50 am

Well, liberals are stupid so I guess they figure the rest of us are to-

On the merits of the issue, I agree with health reform’s supporters that one’s decision not to buy health insurance has economic ripple effects. Basically, it turns you into a free-rider and that imposes costs on everyone else in the risk pool. As Prof. Erwin Chemerinsky recently put it: “There is no constitutionally protected freedom to be able to refuse to be insured or to avoid paying for the benefits provided.”

So we have to pay two trillion dollars to insure the “free riders” who somehow are now getting free care without spending the two trillion, eh?

The largest tax increase in history, not to provide “health care,” but to grow government.

You have to be blind not to see through this sham, just sayin….

Whacks Eloquent

March 25th, 2010
11:51 am

Democrats missing the obvious here – if they want to convince the public that Obamacare is good, announce that they are going to change to using it themselves. And any politician that voted against that would have to deal with the PR nightmare that he/she deserves. If it’s good enough for us, it’s good enough for them…

USinUK

March 25th, 2010
11:52 am

thomas – “Its a little bigger than 500sq. ft. now since you rowed across the pond and all. not much bigger but bigger”

my butt is big, but, criminey, it’s not THAT big!! ;-)

Outhouse GoKart

March 25th, 2010
11:53 am

“Actually, yes, it is. For reference, see my concerns about communicable diseases.”

No it isnt…commnicable diseases affect the 99% who engage in activities that would cause such. Just more petty excuses.

USinUK

March 25th, 2010
11:54 am

OGK – “Oh thats right…its for our own good.”

yes. just like innoculation programs. just like public hospitals. just like public education, for that matter.

USinUK

March 25th, 2010
11:55 am

OGK – “No it isnt…commnicable diseases affect the 99% who engage in activities that would cause such”

you do realize that you can catch different strains of hepatitis without actually doing anything illicit, don’t you …

Doggone/GA

March 25th, 2010
11:55 am

“commnicable diseases affect the 99% who engage in activities that would cause such”

Umm hmm. I guess you’ve forgotten, already, the flap about the person who took a plane trip while still carrying an active case of TB. I guess all those other people in the plane would have been personally responsible if they’d caught TB from him. After all, they had a CHOICE whether to be in that plane or not, right?

I don’t know how old you are, but I am old enough to remember when they use to force people to stay in their homes – quarentined from the general population – to help prevent the spread of such communicable disesases.

stands for decibels

March 25th, 2010
11:55 am

Why are many hand-wringing and fear-mongering

Because they lost, they are adrift, and it’s all they have.

jewcowboy

March 25th, 2010
11:57 am

WellPoint stock up $.26 today….up $25.64 over the last year of healthcare reform debate…Aetna up $11.44 for the past year…down $.01 since Monday…what happened to Armageddon?

Cherokee

March 25th, 2010
12:01 pm

Whacks eloquent – they did that already. It’s in the bill….

Cherokee

March 25th, 2010
12:01 pm

USinUK

March 25th, 2010
12:02 pm

jewcowboy – http://blog.washingtonpost.com/tomtoles/2010/03/health-care_horrors.html

as Count Floyd used to say …. “oooooo … scary”

jewcowboy

March 25th, 2010
12:04 pm

USinUK,

Very funny :)

stands for decibels

March 25th, 2010
12:14 pm

USinUK, I really need to check Toles’ page more often. Not only is the guy’s work almost uniformly wonderful, you get to see his outtakes…

http://blog.washingtonpost.com/tomtoles/2010/03/23/s_03242010.gif

@@

March 25th, 2010
12:14 pm

The amendment failed.

Noooooooooo!!!!!

jay, I have no idea where this litigation will lead, but if the voters want their elected officials to proceed, and many of them do, our representatives should do as they’re told. Novel idea, don’tcha think?

Anyhoo, I still have a hard time seeing how Roe v Wade prohibits the government from interfering in a woman’s choice but can now interfere in mine. I’m female.

DANG! it’s contradictions like ^^^ that that muddies the waters.

Whatever…..here’$$$$ to your health!

Bosch

March 25th, 2010
12:15 pm

Paul,

“Screw cholesterol. That’s why God invented Lipitor!”

For real. When it comes to cheesy shrimp grits (with bacon? Holy hell, what are you trying to do to me?). Maybe you can crush up the Lipitor and sprinkle it on like a garnish.

Doggone/GA

March 25th, 2010
12:18 pm

“our representatives should do as they’re told. Novel idea, don’tcha think?”

Actually, no they shouldn’t. We don’t elect robots, we elect people…with opinions and agendas. We vote for those closest to our own ideas, we hope. But in the end they will still vote their own consciences (we hope) and ideas and agendas.

Plus, they can’t voted both sides of a question. If they vote “as they are told” by one side, they are…by definition…”disobeying” what they are told by the other.

jefferson

March 25th, 2010
12:18 pm

When you know everything, nobody can tell you anything.

Kamchak

March 25th, 2010
12:19 pm

Why are many hand-wringing and fear-mongering

Because they lost, they are adrift, and it’s all they have.

It’s much more than that. Massive amounts of fear was injected into the opposition to health care reform, and now that this will become law, all that is left is the fear. One way to mitigate that fear is to infect in others so that these ‘fraidy cats wont feel so all alone.

Doggone/GA

March 25th, 2010
12:23 pm

“One way to mitigate that fear is to infect in others so that these ‘fraidy cats wont feel so all alone”

And those of us who can’t be persuaded to share their fear frighten them even more, because we can’t be controlled by hysteria.

Bosch

March 25th, 2010
12:24 pm

Jay,

At the meeting today, I double dog dare you to yell out “The stupid, it burns!!!”

jewcowboy

March 25th, 2010
12:24 pm

Perhaps Sonny can pray for the money for his lawsuit…or pray that GOD will intervene against Socialism…

jewcowboy

March 25th, 2010
12:28 pm

Or better yet…maybe Sonny and the Republican “leaders” can pray for an instructional guide on how to remove their heads from their posteriors…

Peadawg

March 25th, 2010
12:30 pm

” We vote for those closest to our own ideas, we hope.”

I want to add that we vote for them hoping they’ll do what they say and not lie right to our face.

Paul

March 25th, 2010
12:30 pm

Kamchak

March 25th, 2010
12:30 pm

Or better yet…maybe Sonny and the Republican “leaders” can pray for an instructional guide on how to remove their heads from their posteriors…

God does Power Point?

Paul

March 25th, 2010
12:32 pm

Bosch

This is the Cheesy Shrimp and Grits King’s recipe

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/shrimp-and-grits-recipe/index.html

GoingBroke

March 25th, 2010
12:32 pm

FinnMcCool – If you made over 250,000 a year… .50 or more could go to taxes, depending on state, federal, etc.
the other little item.. is they have pretty much admitted that taxes will be going up on EVERYONE.. not just the people making over 250..

IRS

March 25th, 2010
12:33 pm

You poor little people who are worried about paying a fine for not getting health insurance can quit your worrying. I promise you I will not be wasting my time with you. I’ve got much more important things to take care of. So, do not get insurance if you do not want. I really do not care. And if you get sick and need help, take your chances at the ER or your local doctor or whatever. Maybe they’ll feel sorry for you or maybe not.

Doggone/GA

March 25th, 2010
12:34 pm

“is they have pretty much admitted that taxes will be going up on EVERYONE.. not just the people making over 250..”

Do you have a cite for that? An URL maybe? Something?

Bosch

March 25th, 2010
12:36 pm

Paul,

Oooooooo. What if I don’t have Wild Georgia Shrimp? Will the tame ones do? :-)

That recipe looks GOOD!!! Man, oh man!!!

Have I ever mentioned that I really like Cheesy Shrimp Grits?

USinUK

March 25th, 2010
12:36 pm

doggone … but “they” said it … so you know it’s true

jewcowboy

March 25th, 2010
12:36 pm

Kamchak,

“God does Power Point?”

Nah..only the Devil…it was in his pact with Bill Gates.

Bosch

March 25th, 2010
12:36 pm

I have just come to the conclusion that the GOP has lost their freaking minds. It’s really outright pathetic the way they are acting. I weep.

AmVet

March 25th, 2010
12:36 pm

Hold a cup out and repeat: “Alms for the wealthy…alms for the wealthy”

Finn, very funny!

Damn Republicans and their socialistic income redistribution. Upwards!

Doggone/GA

March 25th, 2010
12:37 pm

“but “they” said it … so you know it’s true”

I know, I know…and I’m not supposed to challenge them on “opinions” either!

USinUK

March 25th, 2010
12:37 pm

bosch – have you made your cheesy shrimp grits with polenta? mmmmm … cheesy polenta with parmesan and reggiano …

USinUK

March 25th, 2010
12:38 pm

Doggone – “I’m not supposed to challenge them on “opinions” either”

you know the saying … everyone is entitled to their own opinions … they’re just not entitled to their own facts …

Peadawg

March 25th, 2010
12:39 pm

“I have just come to the conclusion that the GOP has lost their freaking minds”

So has everyone who believes Pelosi and Obama that this bill will lower premiums!

Doggone/GA

March 25th, 2010
12:40 pm

“everyone is entitled to their own opinions … they’re just not entitled to their own facts …”

I do indeed…now all we have to figure out is a way to teach it to “them”!

jewcowboy

March 25th, 2010
12:40 pm

Bosch / Paul,

“Have I ever mentioned that I really like Cheesy Shrimp Grits?”

The key to making great grits is to replace the water with whole milk or heavy cream…and instead of boiling for 5 – 10 minutes, simmer them for 2 – 3 hours, adding cream along the way to keep it from thickening…for cheese add a wheel of brie with the rind cut off and top with white truffle oil…

Not good for the heart…but wonderful for the soul.

Paul

March 25th, 2010
12:41 pm

Bosch

Sure, if you don’t have the wild shrimp tame ones’ll do.

Just be sure to take off the leash before you fry’em.

I’m not doing the ham. Bacon. And using the Bobby Flay technique of drizzling the bacon grease over the shrimp before serving.

Yea…. Lipitor’ll make a good garnish….

USinUK

Italians are southerners at heart! I’m using a fine polenta – really nice cut and size. Mmmmmm….

USinUK

March 25th, 2010
12:41 pm

oh, and since it’s thursday … new jobless numbers keep heading in the right direction, falling more than expected on the week:

The four-week moving average of claims, a less volatile measure than the weekly figures, decreased to 453,750 last week, the lowest level since September 2008, from 464,750.

The number of people continuing to receive jobless benefits decreased 54,000 in the week ended March 13 to 4.65 million, the lowest since Dec. 20, 2008.

http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601068&sid=aRjQPuqaM_0U

USinUK

March 25th, 2010
12:43 pm

Paul – “Italians are southerners at heart”

I’m soooooooo telling my dad that one! my grandma came over from the old country, so my dad is first generation Italian-American … born and raised in Brooklyn, moved to Atlanta in 1965 … I think he’ll agree with you.

Bosch

March 25th, 2010
12:43 pm

Polenta? White Truffle Oil? Bacon drippings? Brie? Good lord, I’ve gone into a cheesy shrimp grit fit. Quick! Somebody fluff the pillows on my swooning couch!

Drain The Swamp (NIF)

March 25th, 2010
12:44 pm

I love to watch liberals complaining about Conservatives while their rights are also being raped.

Libs, your problem isn’t the Republicans. Your problem is that all this power that your little power hungry fascists are stealing will be in the hands of Republicans after November.

And I have to say, you deserve to have your liberties stolen. You have asked for it.

The rest of us have not.

The facts are that Americans that can’t feed their own families will be forced to buy health insurance. Please, all you experts of healthcare, explain how I am wrong.

Or you could just keep attacking anyone who would dare speak out against the “State”

How many government controlled stooges do we have in America? I hope not as many as are on this blog. .

USinUK

March 25th, 2010
12:45 pm

Bosch – if you want to play with melt-y brie, top a nice hot bowl of wild mushroom risotto with a few slices of brie …

proof of a kind and benevolent god, it is …

Normal

March 25th, 2010
12:47 pm

Haiku:
Rant and rave
your day is done
our day has begun
sing the praise

NowReally

March 25th, 2010
12:47 pm

Okay – Time for the Civil Rights Movement part II. I’m sick of the States Right people!

I am a citizen of the United Stated of America first and a resident of Georgia second. I take great offense to the possibility of being denied a right that all other citizens in the United States would have access too.

We are split in this state just like we were during the 50’s and 60’s; letting the ruling class and their coherts dictate state law over US Law. Wiill Sonny Perdue stand in the front of Grady, Children’s Healthcare or Northside Hospitals; just to keep the “previously” uninsured from using their “new” health insurance? He’s definitely headed in that direction.

jewcowboy

March 25th, 2010
12:47 pm

Bosch and Paul,

I forgot the white wine…you must add white wine when adding the cream…preferably a Prosecco. And for every ounce you pour into the pot, make sure you follow Justin Wilson’s lead and pour equal amounts for the cook.

AmVet

March 25th, 2010
12:48 pm

You know Bonehead’s tirade is sad. But for one reason only. Because in reality he likely spoke the truth.

When he had countless opportunities to indict “Energy Policy” Dickhead and his puppet, the war-mongering George, for this VERY sin:

“Look at how this bill was written. Can you say it was done openly? With transparency and accountability? Without back room deals struck behind closed doors? Hidden from the people! HELL NO YOU CAN’T!”

What did that slimeball and his Mafia brothers say when it happened all the time from 2000 – 2008?

Not a single word.

Not an enraged peep.

THIS disgusting hypocrisy and two-faced b-llsh_t, as much as anything I know, explains why the GOP is so utterly derided today.

ZERO credibility. ZERO integrity.

USinUK

March 25th, 2010
12:48 pm

Normal – haiku fail … 5 – 7 – 5 is the pattern you need

Doggone/GA

March 25th, 2010
12:48 pm

“while their rights are also being raped. ”

And that is the fundamental difference. I won’t speak for other “libs” but *I* see it as INCREASING our rights.

GoingBroke

March 25th, 2010
12:48 pm

Peadawg

March 25th, 2010
12:48 pm

Normal @ 12:47, hope you enjoy your higher premiums under this “reform” bill. You think they were going up now? Just wait until insurance companies have to cover everybody. You haven’t seen anything yet.

Paul

March 25th, 2010
12:49 pm

jewcowboy

Thanks! I’ll definitely try that one. I’m aware of the time to cook – I saw “My Cousin Vinny.” And I’ve a bottle of truffle oil, so I’ll use that with a more delicate cheese like Brie – and I doubt I’ll go for Cajun-spiced shrimp with that.

It’s okay, Bosch – I’ll just add more cheese!

USinUK

March 25th, 2010
12:49 pm

Normal – and example:

The folks on the right

Love to talk about freedom

Whilst tapping your phones

Normal

March 25th, 2010
12:50 pm

USinUK,
DANG!!!

@@

March 25th, 2010
12:50 pm

Doggone:

There has never been any doubt in my mind that you hold dem politicians in the highest regard, Higher than the regard you have for yourself.

———————————————————

Rep. Cantor’s Richmond Campaign Office Shot at Overnight

I’ve seen quite a few leftists here who hold Cantor in disdain. Do you have an alibi for last night?

Was it because he was a Jew or a Republican?

Chris Salzmann

March 25th, 2010
12:50 pm

On the funny side, here’s a headline about Health Care Reforms that might give some insight into the roots of Republican issues concerning President Obama.

http://www.visualeditors.com/apple/2010/03/headline-fail/

Read and enjoy…………………………..

GoingBroke

March 25th, 2010
12:51 pm

Doggone/GA –
Sorry.. no link as of yet.. I caught it on a Q&A session this am on the news. I setup a google ticker to keep searching..

My question of the day is.. what is to keep the insurance and drug companies from passing on their new taxes and fee on to consumers?

Drain The Swamp (NIF)

March 25th, 2010
12:51 pm

NowReally

What right would that be? The right to be forced to buy something that is extremely expensive and no one can afford or the right to go on medicaid?

Can you actually name a right that is being given or taken? Unless you are broke, this give you no rights . If it give you rights only if you plan to stay broke and on the government dole.

Soory if the specifics are too much to think about.

Some of us just don’t buy the “Healthcare for all Americans” crap that you guys bought into.

How about working on getting an economy that produces private sector jobs?

Too much to ask from socialists?

jewcowboy

March 25th, 2010
12:52 pm

Paul,

“I’m not doing the ham. Bacon. And using the Bobby Flay technique of drizzling the bacon grease over the shrimp before serving.”

MMMMMmmmm…baconnnn…

USinUK

March 25th, 2010
12:53 pm

Drain The Swamp (NIF)

March 25th, 2010
12:54 pm

AmVet

You refuse to answer the real questions, but I’ll ask another question which you can’t answer: What did Bush do that affected every single person in the country?

Can you really not see the difference?

AmVet

March 25th, 2010
12:54 pm

Whoever shot out Cantor’s window?

A Republican plant. Or is it prop?

(J/K, doing my Dave R. routine…)

Drain The Swamp (NIF)

March 25th, 2010
12:54 pm

Doggone

***I* see it as INCREASING our rights.**

Really? How?

Doggone/GA

March 25th, 2010
12:55 pm

“There has never been any doubt in my mind that you hold dem politicians in the highest regard, Higher than the regard you have for yourself.”

That says more about you and your attitudes, than it does about me. I’m already on record here as despising ALL politicians and holding the opinion that when they get something right, it’s usually because they weren’t paying enough attention.

USinUK

March 25th, 2010
12:55 pm

going broke – as promised

http://www.bls.gov/news.release/pdf/empsit.pdf

the chart you’re looking for is on the right … the one that shows that we’re moving in the right direction

GoingBroke

March 25th, 2010
12:56 pm

USinUK.. “fewer jobs were lost” that makes all the people not working feel so warm and fuzzy..

Doggone/GA

March 25th, 2010
12:56 pm

“What did Bush do that affected every single person in the country? ”

Used our tax money to pay for SOME OF a war of revenge

Drain The Swamp (NIF)

March 25th, 2010
12:57 pm

USinUK

**Whilst tapping your phones**

Your phones were tapped? Mine wasn’t, and if they were, it wouldn’t force me to buy something I don’t want.

So this is the lib comparison.

Bush tapped our phones:

Obama pushed through legislature that will give government control of our daily lives.

You can’t be this dumb.

Scout

March 25th, 2010
12:57 pm

Disgusted / Nightrain, et al:

Let’s hope it NEVER gets this bad (although I can think of some Constitutional issues that would start the ball rolling) in our lifetimes that our citizenry would resort to armed conflict against each other or the government. However, keep in mind that if it did ever get that bad (i.e., a president “suspends” portions of the Constitution due to some “crisis”), that whatever the issue(s) were, the military would also be affected. Maybe even more so. In other words, there would also be open rebellion (by one side or the other) and fragmentation in the 82nd Airborne and the 2nd Marine Division. They would no longer necessarily act in unison. That’s just the way it works. Civilian fathers who feel the drastic need to take up arms would have military sons who feel the same way.

The 2nd Amendment was not indcluded in our Constitution to protect gun collecting, hunting, target shooting or self-protection. Those were all assumed.

It was put there as a final check and balance against a runaway government (”being necessary to the security of a free State”). A correct reading of the founding fathers, federalist papers, etc. proves it meant internal as well as external forces.

Have you ever heard one of our presidents or Secretary of State say in an interview regarding another country that we intend to negotiate but “all options are on the table” ?

That’s all the 2nd Amendment means. Worst case scenario ………. “all options are on the table”.

USinUK

March 25th, 2010
12:58 pm

“Was it because he was a Jew or a Republican?”

sorry, missy, you can’t cheer people on to be anti-government then act surprised when some of your own get swept up in the mobs that you created.

Doggone/GA

March 25th, 2010
12:59 pm

“Really? How?”

And that’s why there’s a fundamental difference between us…you can’t even see the benefits of a healthier population. Free to pursue our other rights without the burden of fearing the loss of everything they have just because they have the misfortune to get too ill.

USinUK

March 25th, 2010
12:59 pm

NIF – “Mine wasn’t, and if they were, it wouldn’t force me to buy something I don’t want”

actually, you wouldn’t know if they did (or still are) as the gummint fought releasing that data under the guise of “national security”

AmVet

March 25th, 2010
12:59 pm

NiF, do you live in Red-Herringville Georgia?

WTF does that strange “sidebar” of yours have to do with my assertion that Boehner’s hypocrisy vis a vis back room, closed door deals is pathetic?

Anybody here who can follow a simple train of thought, knows.Absolutely nothing.

So out of left fiend you raise this canard about Bush not “affecting every single person in the country.”

Jesus, Joseph and Mary…

Drain The Swamp (NIF)

March 25th, 2010
12:59 pm

Doggone

**Used our tax money to pay for SOME OF a war of revenge**

THat’s it? And that was all Bush, huh? And isn’t it great how Obama has out a stop[ to all that.

This is why libs refuse to debate the issues. They sound like imbeciles when they try to compare where our tax money goes to the government forcing everyone to buy health insurance.

USinUK

March 25th, 2010
1:01 pm

Going broke – “USinUK.. “fewer jobs were lost” that makes all the people not working feel so warm and fuzzy”

actually, it should – it says that the market is turning … which all other indicators are saying, as well (an increase in hours worked, an increase in capacity, an increase in productivity, an increase in the number of temporary workers, an increase in the number of part-time jobs)

but, feel free to sit and mope if it makes you feel better

Drain The Swamp (NIF)

March 25th, 2010
1:02 pm

Doggone

**And that’s why there’s a fundamental difference between us…you can’t even see the benefits of a healthier population.**

I can definitely see the advantage. I just know of nothing in this bill that will result in a healthier population. Forcing 15 million onto the medicaid system is not a healthier country. It is a more welfare dependent country. Forcing families to buy insurance instead of food and school supplies is good for who again?

The insurance companies you say?

Say it ain’t so.

Doggone/GA

March 25th, 2010
1:02 pm

“And that was all Bush, huh?”

Nope, just an example…the one that always comes to my mind first.

“And isn’t it great how Obama has out a stop[ to all that.”

He’s working on it, but no he’s not going to be able to end it completely. Bush got us into a “you break it, you own it” scenario and it’s going to take a long time to get us out of that.

AmVet

March 25th, 2010
1:04 pm

Left fiend?

Freudian slip?

Too funny.

Make that left field!

jewcowboy

March 25th, 2010
1:04 pm

AmVet,

“Boehner’s hypocrisy vis a vis back room, closed door deals is pathetic?”

Without hypocrisy, what does the Republican Party have left? Oh wait…they still have fear and bigotry.

Doggone/GA

March 25th, 2010
1:04 pm

“Forcing families to buy insurance instead of food and school supplies is good for who again?”

Where in this bill does it do that? I seem to recall a provision to assist those who can’t afford the payment. I don’t recall anything that says they will be forced to give up food and school supplies.

Husteria much?

Drain The Swamp (NIF)

March 25th, 2010
1:04 pm

Doggone

**He’s working on it,**

Ahh. That makes it OK. He SAID he would fix it. Can you do me a favor and hold your breath until Obama stops doing exactly what Bush did? Go ahead and call 911 before you start. He ain’t changing anything.

Doggone/GA

March 25th, 2010
1:05 pm

oops! “Hysteria” not Husteria!

USinUK

March 25th, 2010
1:05 pm

doggone – “Husteria much?” … considering who you’re talking to, all the time …

Mr_B

March 25th, 2010
1:06 pm

Night Train @ 11:36
Sorry to rain on your nostalgia parade but in 1910 the USA was the 2nd or 3rd most prosperous country (UK was #1 by a long shot), there had been a national debt since the administration of Martin VanBuran (sp?) and mom AND the kiddies worked on the farm or in the mills. The taxes you list exist because we as a people have decided through elections that we want our government to perform certain services which we as a people thought were vital. If politician ARE the problem, to whom do you propose we entrust those duties which we can’t/won’t do for ourselves? The guy with the biggest stick or the deepest pockets?

Drain The Swamp (NIF)

March 25th, 2010
1:06 pm

Doggone

**Where in this bill does it do that? **

So you don’t even know what is in the bill. I see. You don’t even know that the bill will require families to buy health insurance and the IRS will be the enforcement arm of the insurance comapnies

That explains it.

Peadawg

March 25th, 2010
1:07 pm

“Bush got us into a “you break it, you own it” scenario and it’s going to take a long time to get us out of that.”

LAMO! It’s funny you said that b/c that’s what Obama is doing w/ this “health care reform”.

GoingBroke

March 25th, 2010
1:08 pm

USinUK.. if you click the google chart.. it is the BLS site that it’s linked to.

Doggone – I am all for a healthier population.. so can we do something about the fat people and the smokers? Why should someone have to pay higher taxes for someone else to be a slug?

Doggone/GA

March 25th, 2010
1:08 pm

“He SAID he would fix it”

He SAID he would get the troops out. If he’d said “fix it” instead, I’d not have been disappointed that he made a promise I KNEW he couldn’t keep. I’ve know all along that getting the troops out completely, on a short time-frame, was a no hoper.

Doggone/GA

March 25th, 2010
1:09 pm

“all the time …”

yep! But I haven’t yet lost ALL hope, though it’s getting tougher to hand on to.

jewcowboy

March 25th, 2010
1:10 pm

“The guy with the biggest stick or the deepest pockets?”

I’ve always liked the guy with the biggest stick personally ;)

USinUK

March 25th, 2010
1:11 pm

going broke – well, I sent you today’s release, anyway, complete with updated bar chart

mr_b – “(UK was #1 by a long shot)” yep … nuttin’ like a little Empire action to boost GDP …

M Percy (Banned by Cynthia Tucker)

March 25th, 2010
1:11 pm

NowReally @12:47 pm

“I am a citizen of the United Stated of America first and a resident of Georgia second. I take great offense to the possibility of being denied a right that all other citizens in the United States would have access too.”

Already here. In Georgia, as in a few other states, we cannot make any change to our state’s voting laws, districts, etc. without federal approval. Citizens in other states may do so without federal approval.

On the other hand, you did say “right”, and there is still plenty of room for debate over whether health insurance and/or health care is a right. If it’s a right, why must people be forced to exercise it or pay a fine (or move out of the country)? Will we be expecting to be forced to use our right to free speech or pay fine if we don’t?

USinUK

March 25th, 2010
1:11 pm

jewcowboy – 1:10 – :lol:

Doggone/GA

March 25th, 2010
1:12 pm

“So you don’t even know what is in the bill”

I know what’s in it, and I also know what ISN’T in it.

Drain The Swamp (NIF)

March 25th, 2010
1:12 pm

USinUK

**actually, you wouldn’t know if they did (or still are) as the gummint fought releasing that data under the guise of “national security”*

Say they did. What a waste of time.

So because someone listened to a phone call I was making to a vender, that equates to the government forcing it’s way to control 1/6th of the economy.

You guys have a good day. It used to make me mad to see people who are so indoctrinated as to compare issues like that. Now it just makes me sad. I just hope we can flip this congress before they do any more damage.

BTW, USinUK, enjoy your Universal Health Coverage. We don’t have that here. We just have a government that makes us buy health insurance and a really dumb political party that goes along with it and just calls it Universal Health Care.

Doggone/GA

March 25th, 2010
1:13 pm

“b/c that’s what Obama is doing w/ this “health care reform”.”

Possibly. But healthcare reform will be easier to correct if they have gotten it wrong.

Doggone/GA

March 25th, 2010
1:13 pm

“so can we do something about the fat people and the smokers?”

Like what?

Drain The Swamp (NIF)

March 25th, 2010
1:14 pm

Doggone

REally? So all these news stories on ALL the major networks about forcing Americans to buy heath care are just made up?

Gosh. You must be reeeeeal smart.

jewcowboy

March 25th, 2010
1:14 pm

“there is still plenty of room for debate over whether health insurance and/or health care is a right.”

Funny…I never viewed healthcare as a right, but rather as a national obligation once a country achieves a certain level of wealth.

USinUK

March 25th, 2010
1:15 pm

“BTW, USinUK, enjoy your Universal Health Coverage. We don’t have that here. We just have a government that makes us buy health insurance and a really dumb political party that goes along with it and just calls it Universal Health Care.”

no, it’s only numpties on the right that do that. no one on the left does because we KNOW it’s not the single-payer system that the US SHOULD be putting into place.

oh, and I do like knowing that, if I or my husband should ever lose our jobs, that we won’t lose our healthcare, as well.

Drain The Swamp (NIF)

March 25th, 2010
1:15 pm

**I’ve always liked the guy with the biggest stick personally**

So did the members of the National Socialist Workers Party.

NowReally

March 25th, 2010
1:16 pm

Drain The Swamp (NIF)

March 25th, 2010
12:51 pm

I’m talking about my right as a citizen of the United States of America. The govenor, state republican party and some people in this state believe that the State of Georgia trumps my rights as a citizen of the United States. I don’t believe that it does. The Healthcare bill has been signed into US Law.

The states rights people are using the same reasoning they did during the Civil Rights Movement. They want to create their own laws to keep people from having the same basic rights as everyone else in the United States. The only thing different is that in the 60’s it was the right to vote and now it’s the right to healthcare.

Peadawg

March 25th, 2010
1:16 pm

Possibly. But healthcare reform will be easier to correct if they have gotten it wrong.

1. There isn’t an “if”.
2. This is one of those things where they should get right in the first place. All that “we won’t know what’s in it until is passes” is very very scary. They don’t know what’s in it but they passed it anyways….

Peadawg

March 25th, 2010
1:18 pm

“now it’s the right to healthcare.”

And higher premiums. Welcome to the good ‘ol USA people, where health insurance and higher premiums is a right!!!!!

USinUK

March 25th, 2010
1:19 pm

So sad … the funny

slips right by NIF, not

so much as a snort …

@@

March 25th, 2010
1:19 pm

USUK:

Typical leftist.

sorry, missy, you can’t cheer people on to be anti-government then act surprised when some of your own get swept up in the mobs that you created.

Always somebody else’s fault.

This may come as a shock to you, but I can do as I please, MISSY!

AmVet

March 25th, 2010
1:19 pm

M Percy, I’m bored with the same old RepDem vs. DemRep stuff here.

I have never posted at her place, but how is it that you were banned there?

(Of course, it’s really none of my beeswax, but clearly you are promoting the event. And if you wish to decline, no worries…)

USinUK

March 25th, 2010
1:19 pm

“Welcome to the good ‘ol USA people, where health insurance and higher premiums is a right!!!!!”

hey, we’ve been telling you that you should have a single-payer system …

jewcowboy

March 25th, 2010
1:20 pm

Drain The Swamp (NIF),

“So did the members of the National Socialist Workers Party.”

And Charlie Crist, Larry Craig, Ed Schrock, David Dreier, Jim McCrery….

jefferson

March 25th, 2010
1:22 pm

Swamp dude – I am laughing at you, you are funny. Get some help, bro. You don’t want to end up in a state run institution. Really.

USinUK

March 25th, 2010
1:22 pm

@@ – “Always somebody else’s fault. This may come as a shock to you, but I can do as I please, MISSY!”

oh, we know you do and think as you please … logic be damned …

but, like I said, when you have a year + of “gummint and politicians are bad” shouted from the rooftops and talk radio, then don’t be surprised when the mob you’ve whipped into a frenzy turns against your own …

USinUK

March 25th, 2010
1:22 pm

and ,with that, I’m off to catch the 5:45 …

have a good night, all!!!

AmVet

March 25th, 2010
1:23 pm

Seeya expat. Enjoy your evening…

M Percy (Banned by Cynthia Tucker)

March 25th, 2010
1:24 pm

jewcowboy: I might be tempted to agree with you if we weren’t $14T in the hole and sinking fast. I’ll even blame Bush for a good chunk of that to save you the trouble.

My position on this can be summed up simply:

I believe that I have absolutely no right to force you or anyone else to provide for my wants and needs; I likewise think that you have absolutely no right to force me to provide for your wants and needs. However, I believe that we all have a moral obligation to help our fellow human beings and should do so voluntarily. If there is to be a punishment for one’s failure to heed this moral obligation, it is not the bailiwick of you or anyone else (government) to mete out that punishment.

Doggone/GA

March 25th, 2010
1:24 pm

“So all these news stories on ALL the major networks about forcing Americans to buy heath care are just made up?”

Nope, but what you said about people being forced to give up food and school supplies WAS.

Doggone/GA

March 25th, 2010
1:28 pm

“i never viewed healthcare as a right, but rather as a national obligation once a country achieves a certain level of wealth”

I like that!

jewcowboy

March 25th, 2010
1:29 pm

M Percy (Banned by Cynthia Tucker),

“I might be tempted to agree with you if we weren’t $14T in the hole and sinking fast.”

It comes down to the choices the government makes…we could afford to do many things to help our own population if we chose different priorities…

jewcowboy

March 25th, 2010
1:30 pm

USinUK,

Good evening…

@@

March 25th, 2010
1:31 pm

but, like I said, when you have a year + of “gummint and politicians are bad” shouted from the rooftops and talk radio, then don’t be surprised when the mob you’ve whipped into a frenzy turns against your own …

And when you have 6 years of “Iraq is an unjust and illegal war and that our soldiers are bad” from the rooftops and left-wing pundits, don’t be surprised when some anti-war activist or AQ type murders a recruit or two.

@@

March 25th, 2010
1:33 pm

Oops! forgot to let everyone know. I’m off to pick the lint from between my toes.

Scout

March 25th, 2010
1:33 pm

Oh, is this going to be interesting !!! Jay ……… what are your thoughts on this one ???

Headline: “France to ban veil says Nicolas Sarkozy”

“The move would protect the dignity of women, the president added:

“The full veil is contrary to the dignity of women,” he said. “The response is to ban it. The Government will table a draft law prohibiting it.”

Abrazos

March 25th, 2010
1:42 pm

“My fully auto AK-47 begs to differ”

Seeker, why don’t you just march around with sign advertising your male physical inadequacies? All that “AK-47″ talk is textbook overcompensation dribble.

M Percy (Banned by Cynthia Tucker)

March 25th, 2010
1:45 pm

AmVet @1:19 pm

I was banned for pointing out on several occasions that Ms. Tucker was becoming a tad lazy, since more and more of her “columns” contained less and less of Ms. Tucker’s writing and more and more cut&paste from other sources (attributed, always).

Here’s the short exchange:

M Percy

March 23rd, 2010
10:25 am

93 words from Ms. Tucker. 356 words she borrowed from the WSJ. Barely topped 20% today. Of course, I come here for the comments, which are always more interesting that anything Ms. Tucker cut&pastes.

ctucker

March 23rd, 2010
10:27 am

M Percy, Since you dislike my blog so much, I’m banning you from it.

M Percy (Banned by Cynthia Tucker)

March 25th, 2010
1:50 pm

jewcowboy @1:29 pm

I’m going to excerpt a longer posting from my own blog that I wrote originally to address a similar question.

It is oversimplifying the issue to say we are against taxes and government. When I say “we” here I cannot speak for all Tea Party attendees, but only those I know and spoke with.

The case is more that we are opposed to increased Federalism, especially so much of the federal government’s actions that appear to be outside the limited powers provided for in the Constitution.

We understand that government is necessary, and it has to be funded. But we also believe that, especially at the federal level, the Constitution provides a very specific set of powers and responsibilities. We are seeking a return to that limited government–we believe that the federal government ought not be everyone’s mommy. We believe that the current situation (huge deficit spending) is unsustainable and it is better to deal with the problem now rather than face total economic collapse. We see a future when the Treasury will be forced to print money, when devaluing the dollar will be the only way to pay our debts. That will not be pretty. One way to stave that off is to start cutting the expenditures of the federal government. As it is much of the federal government actions are simply unfunded mandates to the States. We believe that these actions should be made at the State level anyway, and taking the federal government out of the loop is a good thing.

So, we believe that government is a necessary evil, but that it must be limited to what is prudent, necessary, and affordable. We know that government must be funded to do those things and that taxes, equitably assessed, are necessary. What we disagree on is simply what we believe is the line for prudent, necessary, and affordable.

jewcowboy

March 25th, 2010
2:02 pm

M Percy (Banned by Cynthia Tucker),

“What we disagree on is simply what we believe is the line for prudent, necessary, and affordable.”

Very true…

md

March 25th, 2010
2:04 pm

“The govenor, state republican party and some people in this state believe that the State of Georgia trumps my rights as a citizen of the United States.”

I guess you would be willing to forgo all your services then considering they are provided by your local gov’t and not the feds – right?

Scout

March 25th, 2010
2:28 pm

Hey, the siren just went off over at the golf course nearby. Does that mean there are “wild women” in the area?

Hillbilly Deluxe

March 25th, 2010
2:38 pm

To use a baseball analogy, Thurbert Baker must feel a whole lot like a player who is trying to catch the manager’s eye in a crucial situation. The bases loaded, 2 out, down a couple runs, and he sees a 70 mph fastball heading right into his wheel house. Looks to me like he’s hitting it out of the park.

Dawgs88

March 25th, 2010
6:23 pm

I think we Independents should just get rid of all you left and right wingers. It’s people like you that are ruining this country. Y’all are the ones that have made most of the decisions that have screwed the place up beyond repair. It amazes me how people follow these lunatics come election time though. Both sides are nothing but corrupt trash anyway. Almost every decision made at any level of government helps one side or the other, and leaves the people with common sense, Independents, taking the brunt of the screw job.

GA73Native

March 25th, 2010
8:34 pm

Well, it looks like this is going to by Sonny’s crowning achievement.
Here is a sample of the Sonny Don’t list. He stood by and provided zero leadership about water issues with Alabama and Florida. He did nothing about a worsening budget problem…choosing instead to make Georgia more “business friendly” by offering more corporate handouts while attempting to balance the budget on the backs of local educators and the University System of Georgia (in both cases, actual citizens of the state who PAY TAXES). Sonny did nothing in order to mitigate the coming drought, choosing to cut the additional planned water resivoirs when he came into office, resivoirs which had been recommended in order to lessen the impact of such a shortage (the state was not in a budget crisis when he came into office and such cutting of the budget wasn’t required). His answer was to pray for rain. Forget about common sense Sunday sales of alcohol in order to raise funds in order to balance the budget..although 68% of the state wanted it, Sonny wouldn’t support it…choosing instead to worry about our collective mortality. On the other hand, he opposes programs like CHIP, which is born out of a concern for poorer (mostly white and black with brown sprinkled in) children. Interesting moral compass, eh?
Thank goodness his time is up next January. Sonny, please do us all a favor..take nine furlough months – you are an embarassment to this state.

stands for decibels

March 26th, 2010
7:13 am

Mornin’.

erm, Jay, didja really mean to delete the whole danged thread about Newt/Erick, and leave just yesterday’s up there?

(Not that I’m opposed to deleting Newt and Erick.)

Jay

March 26th, 2010
7:19 am

actualy, sfd, no I didn’t mean to!

That was a big ooops.

Normal

March 26th, 2010
7:19 am

Good morning Stands, and Happy Friday! Have we entered an alternate universe? Is there anybody out there???

Normal

March 26th, 2010
7:20 am

Whew Jay, you had me discombootled…not that’s hard to do… :)

USinUK

March 26th, 2010
7:20 am

jey – it’s friday … have another cup o’ joe …

USinUK

March 26th, 2010
7:21 am

oh, and jey is not jay’s evil twin …

Normal

March 26th, 2010
7:22 am

Whiner’s not here, when you deleted Newt, you don’t think…?

Normal

March 26th, 2010
7:23 am

Yea, USinUK didn’t get deleted. Happy, Happy, Joy, Joy! Top of the morning to you, ma’am…

Rightwing Troll

March 26th, 2010
7:26 am

so 300 million cut from GA’s universities, now Cobb County alone has to add another 37 million in cuts to thier schools making a total of 137 million (bet they’d like that 10 million back the bible stickers in biology books cost them right about now) and Sonny “pray for rain” and “go fish” thinks it’s a good idea to pursue a lawsuit that will affect us all regardless of GA’s involvement or not… Poor hapless sonny… Somebody needs to remind him he can’t run again, and the last year of 8 lame duck years, in the middle of the worst recession in memory (caused by his party), is not the time to asscert hisself and waste our tax dollars for NO REASON WHATSOEVER….

Normal

March 26th, 2010
7:27 am

Go to pundit kitchen agd check out the first four photos…
http://punditkitchen.com/

USinUK

March 26th, 2010
7:27 am

Normal – right back at ya, my friendly!!

and, just for you … a Friday haiku:

the sun is shining

the daffodils are blooming

bring on the baseball!

Rightwing Troll

March 26th, 2010
7:28 am

“Palin tweeted her followers, saying: “Commonsense Conservatives & lovers of America: ‘Don’t Retreat, Instead – RELOAD!’”

Palin also used her Web site to target 20 House Democrats who voted yes on health care. There was a map with gunsights on the districts.

“When Sarah Palin uses gun analogies and gun imagery when she makes her political point, she may believe that she’s engaging in metaphor. But there are too many people who have twisted minds who might think that she’s being literal,” said Weiner. “What might seem as an obvious metaphor for some people may seem like an invitation for someone else.”

Poor sister Sarah, and her twisted followers…. I’m sorry I meant to say “real Americans”…

stands for decibels

March 26th, 2010
7:31 am

Funny thing is, I had just posted a sincere apology to “RB from Gwinnett” because I had completely misunderstood something he’d posted last night, when the thread went bye-bye.

I thought it might’ve been God telling me not to be such a pu$sy.

Normal

March 26th, 2010
7:31 am

the sun is shining

Here, not so much, but later today and Saturday is good. More rain on Sunday.
How’s it in the UK?

USinUK

March 26th, 2010
7:35 am

Normal – despite the forecast for a crappy Thursday – Sunday, the sun is shining this morning and the daffodils are, in fact, blooming! :-)

it’s feeling like a whole buncha spring!

stands for decibels

March 26th, 2010
7:38 am

Jay, maybe that thread going away forever wouldn’t be the worst thing ever to happen to the blog. I deliberately stayed out of the truly heated, on-topic stuff because I knew nothing more than “you started it!” / “no, YOU GUYS started it!” / “well, you’re EVIL!” / “no, you’re MORE EVIL!” would result.

(No matter how thoughtful your own observations on the matter of immediate import might have been.)

stands for decibels

March 26th, 2010
7:40 am

(And RB from Gwinnett, if you are around, I am truly sorry for misreading what you wrote last night about Boortz and Rush being on while you work. My cheap shot at you was utterly unwarranted. And I don’t mind sounding like a pu$sy for admitting it, either.)

TaxPayer

March 26th, 2010
7:55 am

Jay,

You just wanted Cynthia’s thread to go unchallenged as the one from yesterday with the most posts, didn’t ya.

USinUK

March 26th, 2010
7:58 am

meanwhile … the GOP Inquisition continues:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/03/25/AR2010032502336.html?nav=hcmodule

that’s right, GOP – you keep aiming farther and farther right … we’ll keep beating you at the polls …

USinUK

March 26th, 2010
7:59 am

dammit, Jay – there is NOTHING wrong with my 7:57 or either 7:58s … could you please get the bot to release it!

USinUK

March 26th, 2010
7:59 am

test:

Inquisition

USinUK

March 26th, 2010
8:00 am

USinUK

March 26th, 2010
8:00 am

test:

debacle for republicans

USinUK

March 26th, 2010
8:01 am

nope … no idea what has the bot in a tizzy …

since I know all three of those work – Frum was fired. the GOP Inquisition continues.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/03/25/AR2010032502336.html?nav=hcmodule

Normal

March 26th, 2010
8:02 am

USinUK,
“it’s feeling like a whole buncha spring!”

In our case, as you probably remember, it means it feels itchy, sniffy and sneezy…

TaxPayer

March 26th, 2010
8:05 am

Has Whine accused the AJC of censorship yet.

Normal

March 26th, 2010
8:07 am

Taxpayer, whiner dissapeared when the thread did…Twilight Zone…

Normal

March 26th, 2010
8:08 am

USinUK, Gawd, a Conservative that tells it like he sees it (truth). That just HAS to tic off the GOP…

Mork

March 26th, 2010
8:13 am

Has anyone seen Ork?

I Report (-: You Whine )-: mmm, mmmm, mmmmm!

March 26th, 2010
8:13 am

So what happened?

I Report (-: You Whine )-: mmm, mmmm, mmmmm!

March 26th, 2010
8:14 am

Too much talk of freedom?

USinUK

March 26th, 2010
8:16 am

whiner – 8:13 – Jay hasn’t had enough coffee this morning. (see his 7:19)

Normal – 8:02 – THAT is one thing I do NOT miss about the south and DC – pollen counts in the thousands … my poor brother suffers horribly from it …

USinUK

March 26th, 2010
8:17 am

TaxPayer – 8:05 – you were just a bit premature on that one … or whiner was a bit slow (8:14) …

jt

March 26th, 2010
8:20 am

“criminal justice sector”? I guess one must get to know the natives before killing them. This is wrong on so many levels. Combining the peace corps funding with the defense funding. We ARE exceptional. Oh well, I’ll leave ya’ll with the partison bickering.

From the WSJ————————

Last year, Lockheed had two of its highest profile programs, the F-22 Raptor fighter and a fleet of presidential helicopters, ended by the Obama administration. Now, Lockheed is one of several defense firms expected to bid for a State Department contract to support “criminal justice sector development programs world-wide,” that could be worth up to $30 billion over five years.

Northrop Grumman Corp., the No. 3 Pentagon contractor behind Boeing, has trained Senegalese peacekeeping troops in the basics of human-rights law. Another giant defense contractor, BAE Systems Inc., has provided anthropologists to accompany U.S. troops in Iraq and Afghanistan to aid understanding of local cultures. BAE said it is seeking more “smart power” contracts, including in Africa, where much of the government’s efforts are being targeted.

The Obama administration has requested $39.4 billion in funding for civilian foreign operations in fiscal 2011; part of that will be for programs such as the Peace Corps, while some will go to defense contractors for development or training programs.

TaxPayer

March 26th, 2010
8:20 am

you were just a bit premature on that one

The story of my life… well, except for that one time. :smile:

jt

March 26th, 2010
8:23 am

The civilians of Afgan, Pakistan, Iraq, and Somalia should claim preexisting conditions,

or move to Darfur.

There will be no help from the democrats. They’re currently busy fighting Tea Partiers.

Tea Partier

March 26th, 2010
8:27 am

Get out of our lives! No more taxes! No more government in private business!

By the way, before you go, I need you to give me a job, NOW!

Outhouse GoKart

March 26th, 2010
8:27 am

Jesse James is my new hero.

Michellebombshell.com…YEA!

AmVet

March 26th, 2010
8:29 am

Today’s Thought.

“Fighting for peace is like screwing for virginity.” ~George Carlin

Mick

March 26th, 2010
8:33 am

outhouse

She is a skank…

Outhouse GoKart

March 26th, 2010
8:35 am

No way dude. Brother, she would rock your world…

jt

March 26th, 2010
8:42 am

AmVet

I can understand projecting our influence all over the world, especially in unstable regions.

Provided that our influence is positive. (happy meals, Tom Petty, beer, etc…..).

But to have Defense contractors do it??????????? Bizarre.

What will they show the criminal justice system? A more humane Tazor?

stands for decibels

March 26th, 2010
8:43 am

Mick and OGK’s excellent imitation of middle-schoolers is probably due to my immoderate verbiage @ 7.40. These lads follow my example, and I set a poor one.

(Also, it is my world, they’re just living in it.)

Really must run. Don’t blow up the blog, Jay! so many lives depend on you.

USinUK

March 26th, 2010
8:43 am

OGK – there isn’t enough penicillin on the planet that would make me want to touch either of them. ew.

jt – not that this will mean anything to you, but you do realize that the DoD said that it didn’t WANT the F-22 or the new choppers. but, I guess Obama should have spent billions on them anyway, just to make sure you and the WSJ has a happee

USinUK

March 26th, 2010
8:45 am

jt – “But to have Defense contractors do it??????????? ”

you do realize that defense contractors have been administering things like child support recovery, don’t you (they’ve been doing that since the mid-90s)

Mick

March 26th, 2010
8:46 am

Chelsy handler is going to be down the street today signing books – now she can rock my world!

stands for decibels

March 26th, 2010
8:47 am

I guess Obama should have spent billions on them anyway, just to make sure you and the WSJ has a happee ending.

fyt.

(really going now.)

david wayne osedach

March 26th, 2010
8:47 am

For those Republicans: “what goes around comes around.”

FinnMcCool

March 26th, 2010
8:48 am

US, interesting op-ed about Liberal Democrat Vince Cable in today’s NYTimes.

USinUK

March 26th, 2010
8:49 am

Finneus – thanks for the heads-up … will have a look!

Outhouse GoKart

March 26th, 2010
8:51 am

Thanks dB…whatever thats supposed to mean.

Outhouse GoKart

March 26th, 2010
8:52 am

Chelsey is funny…

USinUK

March 26th, 2010
8:52 am

I’m not finding it …. got a linkee?

AmVet

March 26th, 2010
8:56 am

jt, what can I say?

A lot of American sheep think the war machine has something to do with “national security”.

Hey I’ve got an idea!

Even though we already spend as much as the rest of the planet combined, lets spend even MORE on the military!

That ought to show them terrrerists…

Outhouse GoKart

March 26th, 2010
8:58 am

War Pigs…

Ozzys live version!

jt

March 26th, 2010
9:00 am

USnUK-

you do realize that defense contractors have been administering things like child support recovery, don’t you (they’ve been doing that since the mid-90s)

Yes. And this is a good thing?
The money they make off of this can be put into more R & D I guess.
2008 turned many people into corporate shills.

What’s that gas price up to now?

Two Cents

March 26th, 2010
9:37 am

What a relief! The state’s budget crisis is over; that means I’ll get to keep my university staff job.
I mean, I didn’t hear how they fixed it, but it must be fixed if they’ve moved on to silly lawsuits, right?

Brett

March 26th, 2010
2:22 pm

Such woodchuck Repug goons. Let us prey!

Charles Davis

March 26th, 2010
4:14 pm

In reference to the “as if Georgia law could somehow supercede federal law.” comment I suggest you read the Constitution. I wish you a speedy recovery from your attack of foot in mouth disease.

Former Republican

March 26th, 2010
4:43 pm

Georgia Republicans are already absurd and unfotunately I live in Senator Judson’s district. It is so easy to say no! and much harder to evaluate issues and support them.

Interestly enough Senator Judson’s website supports the “GO FISH GEORGIA Movement” as economic development for Georgia. Meanwhile Alabama continues to add car and steel manufacturing facilities and Judson’s/ Purdues claim to fame – KIA is on the Alabama state line and probably provided as many jobs to Alabama as Georgia.

It used to be, a long time ago, when I was young, my father’s Republican party used to think in terms of fiscal responsibility, economic growth, and strategic investments in the community – transportation, power, water. Today it’s God, Israel, and fishponds. No wonder we don’t speak the same language on capital hill now a days.
The Governor is unwise to protest, the Attorney General has it right. This is one for us the voters not the Governor, who most recently cut funding for healthcare in the state – doubt he cut fish pond investments.

theyeshaveit

March 27th, 2010
8:35 pm

I interrupt my viewing of March Madness to make these announcements. It was said…

by The Seeker

“Gee Jay, I didn’t know you had any judicial experience or had ever sat on the bench. The Supreme Court will decide this matter, not you and your liberal buddies. Rest assured it will be Civil War should they rule the federal government has the right to force citizens to buy something from a private corporation. You think bricks and name calling are bad, just wait!”

by The Seeker

“My fully auto AK-47 begs to differ JAY!”

by The Thin Guy
“I couldn’t care less about hypocrisy or legal merits of lawsuits. ”

I am a little late on reacting to these comments, but it seems to me that these two crazies are at once perpetuating both the newly coined image of the angry, Tea Party whacko and the good old red-neck gun toting imbecile.

by jewcowboy

“Perhaps Sonny can pray for the money for his lawsuit…or pray that GOD will intervene against Socialism…”

One wonders…Is God a socialist? Somehow, I cannot imagine that God would be a conservative pissed off about health care for the masses.

by Outhouse GoKart

“’Are you admitting W lied about WMD’s?’”

“W didnt lie…Saddam Hussein lied.”

Well, Saddam was a chronic liar. Insane lied to HIS people. But no one believed him in the West. Remember his Minister of Misinformation? He was a lot of fun. On the otherhand, W sought to deceive AMERICAN people so he could indulge in his war. And it was American men and women who actually fought and pay the price with their lives.

Now, back to basketball

Geoff

March 29th, 2010
8:34 am

Frank Rich has it right: “But the explanation is plain: the health care bill is not the main source of this anger and never has been. It’s merely a handy excuse. The real source of the over-the-top rage of 2010 is the same kind of national existential reordering that roiled America in 1964.

In fact, the current surge of anger — and the accompanying rise in right-wing extremism — predates the entire health care debate. The first signs were the shrieks of “traitor” and “off with his head” at Palin rallies as Obama’s election became more likely in October 2008. Those passions have spiraled ever since — from Gov. Rick Perry’s kowtowing to secessionists at a Tea Party rally in Texas to the gratuitous brandishing of assault weapons at Obama health care rallies last summer to “You lie!” piercing the president’s address to Congress last fall like an ominous shot.

If Obama’s first legislative priority had been immigration or financial reform or climate change, we would have seen the same trajectory. The conjunction of a black president and a female speaker of the House — topped off by a wise Latina on the Supreme Court and a powerful gay Congressional committee chairman — would sow fears of disenfranchisement among a dwindling and threatened minority in the country no matter what policies were in play. It’s not happenstance that Frank, Lewis and Cleaver — none of them major Democratic players in the health care push — received a major share of last weekend’s abuse. When you hear demonstrators chant the slogan “Take our country back!,” these are the people they want to take the country back from.

They can’t. Demographics are avatars of a change bigger than any bill contemplated by Obama or Congress. The week before the health care vote, The Times reported that births to Asian, black and Hispanic women accounted for 48 percent of all births in America in the 12 months ending in July 2008. By 2012, the next presidential election year, non-Hispanic white births will be in the minority. The Tea Party movement is virtually all white. The Republicans haven’t had a single African-American in the Senate or the House since 2003 and have had only three in total since 1935. Their anxieties about a rapidly changing America are well-grounded.”