For Romney, winning ugly is still winning
Mitt Romney had a good night in Illinois, defeating Rick Santorum as expected, 47 percent to 35 percent. He still failed to win a majority of Republican votes, but the showing adds to evidence that eventually, some day, Romney will become the GOP nominee.
Ron Paul was third with 9 percent; Newt Gingrich came in last with 8 percent, confirming in his mind that the people of Illinois are frankly, fundamentally too stupid to recognize transformational genius when they see it.
The next vote comes Saturday in Louisiana, where Santorum is expected to do well. Wisconsin, Maryland and Washington, D.C., vote April 3, and five states, including delegate-rich New York and Santorum’s home state of Pennsylvania, vote April 24.
Looking at the schedule, it is now quite conceivable that Romney can have it all wrapped up, in reality if not in quite in delegate count, by the end of April.
– Jay Bookman
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450 comments Add your comment
getalife
March 21st, 2012
10:07 am
jk,
Thank you for your concern but she is doing just fine.
She did not fall down drunk at the Olympics.
Female voter
March 21st, 2012
10:09 am
As a female voter who is independent, I think this “GOP assault on women” is bogus. Successful women such as myself who are capable of thinking for themselves and providing for themselves don’t need taxpayers to pay for their birth control. I’ve been paying for mine for years (even when I was in college) and its really not that expensive. It’s insulting to me when other women act as if we all need to be taken care of by others. I can take care of myself just fine.
Talking Head
March 21st, 2012
10:09 am
Butch,
The SHOP provision in Obamacare sounds good, but ultimately many businesses (small and large) will opt to pay the $2,000 fine per employee rather that pay for their insurance.
Millions of people will not be able to keep their insurance or doctors they like, as the President promised. The kicker in all of this is that no one completley understands what the insurance exchanges will be like, but what we do know is that the government will have a significant role in choosing what type of insurance you can have, not what you want.
Adam
March 21st, 2012
10:09 am
The Bureau of Labor Statistics seems to hide a few, more like a few million, who have just given up
Uh, no. See, they measure that too, and here’s a graph showing the trend over the past 6 months on all metrics they measure. U-6 is the one that includes basically the entire population, INCLUDING discouraged people. You may eat crow now.
Becky
March 21st, 2012
10:09 am
getalife-you know, I had forgotten how the bush twins embarassed this country with their lewd behavior. I wonder if they buy their own birth control. LOL!!!!
Bosch
March 21st, 2012
10:10 am
Hi Mrs. G!! All this back and forth and denial cracks me up. Or, on second thought, no it doesn’t. They had four years and come up with this kettle of clowns. Sad.
kayaker 71
March 21st, 2012
10:10 am
USinUK,
Yeah, I am sure that it breaks your little heart. Time to bow out. Save the TaTas….. as USinUK says, TWO of God’ most marvelous creations.
Adam
March 21st, 2012
10:12 am
Female voter: Successful women such as myself who are capable of thinking for themselves and providing for themselves don’t need taxpayers to pay for their birth control.
Then, as an independent, what do you think of all the OTHER EVIDENCE of the war on women, besides birth control coverage?
Speechless? Thought so.
Butch Cassidy
March 21st, 2012
10:14 am
Talking Head – “The SHOP provision in Obamacare sounds good, but ultimately many businesses (small and large) will opt to pay the $2,000 fine per employee rather that pay for their insurance.”
Not arguing with you, but suppose a small business owner with 100 employees was able to insure his employees through the exchange at a cost of $500.00 per employee? That would be $50,000 per year. You are saying that they would prefer to pay the fine of $2,000 per employee at a cost of $200,000 per year just to stay out of the program?
USinUK - missing the dogwoods ... not the pollen count ...
March 21st, 2012
10:14 am
getalife – 10:05 – you got that right.
I think the interesting thing will be how far to the right he goes in his choice of Veep as a suck to the Santorum crowd
getalife
March 21st, 2012
10:14 am
Becky,
Even w joined the twins in partying:
http://wonkette.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/08/drunk-bush-olympics.jpg
Jefferson
March 21st, 2012
10:16 am
Romney would be like Obama light.
JKL2
March 21st, 2012
10:17 am
Becky- 9. Instructed all federal agencies to promote openness and transparency as much as possible
ROFL! Is that why all the debates for obamacare were live on C-Span like he promised in his campaign?
You have to love a bill so good you have to bribe your own people to vote for.
I think you need to google a better list next time.
getalife
March 21st, 2012
10:17 am
“I think the interesting thing will be how far to the right he goes in his choice of Veep as a suck to the Santorum crowd.”
I think he will pick a smarter con like the guv of South Carolina.
Adam
March 21st, 2012
10:17 am
You are saying that they would prefer to pay the fine of $2,000 per employee at a cost of $200,000 per year just to stay out of the program?
Further bolstering my opinion that anyone opting out in this fashion is doing so simply to thumb their nose at Obama and Democrats. And sadly, since the free market does NOT determine everything, they will probably stay in business.
Paul
March 21st, 2012
10:17 am
Hey Bosch
Shoulda been here yesterday. Some people just couldn’t grasp the difference between the rate of new government spending per person vs total government spending.
It made their talking point mind bank go TILT .
Butch Cassidy
March 21st, 2012
10:17 am
I may have been too vague in regard to the parameters regarding Healthcare Insurance for Small Businesses. Here is the full body of the text:
On March 12, 2012, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) published a final rule outlining a framework for state-run health care exchanges under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA). The exchanges are intended to offer private health insurance options that meet government standards and to coordinate the eligibility of low-income individuals for premium tax credits and other assistance.
“These policies give states the flexibility they need to design an exchange that works for them,” said HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius in a released statement. “These new marketplaces will offer Americans one-stop shopping for health insurance where insurers will compete for your business. More competition will drive down costs and exchanges will give individuals and small businesses the same purchasing power big businesses have today.”
State-run exchanges are scheduled to become available by January 2014, with the federal government stepping in to run exchanges for states that are not ready. For 2014 and 2015, states can decide whether to include businesses with 100 or fewer or 50 or fewer employees in their exchange. In 2016, all businesses with 100 or fewer employees must be able to purchase insurance through these exchanges.
The exchanges have the option of including employees with more than 100 employees beginning in 2017.
The final rule allows states to decide whether their exchange should be operated by a nonprofit organization or a public agency, how to select plans to participate and whether to partner with HHS for some key functions. In addition, it addresses how small businesses can get coverage through the Small Business Health Options Program (SHOP), discussed in the box below.
Exchange Standards
Exchanges that are run by independent agencies or nonprofits must have governance principles that include consumer representation and that ensure freedom from conflicts of interest and promote ethical and financial disclosure standards, according to the final rule, which includes standards for:
• The establishment and operation of an exchange.
• Health insurance plans that participate in an exchange.
• Determinations of an individual’s eligibility to enroll in exchange health plans and in insurance affordability programs.
• Enrollment in health plans through exchanges.
• Employer eligibility for and participation in SHOP.
Exchange Functions
Exchanges will perform a variety of functions according to the final rule, including:
• Certifying health plans as “qualified health plans” to be offered in the exchange.
• Operating a website to facilitate comparisons among qualified health plans for consumers.
• Operating a toll-free hotline for consumer support, providing grant funding to entities called “navigators” for consumer assistance and conducting outreach and education to consumers regarding the exchange.
• Determining eligibility of consumers for enrollment in qualified health plans and for insurance affordability programs: premium tax credits, Medicaid, Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) and state Basic Health Plan options under the PPACA.
Qualified Health Plans
Health plans offered through an exchange must be certified as “qualified health plans.” To be certified by the exchange, health plans must meet minimum standards that are defined primarily in the law. In addition, exchanges can establish additional standards for health plans. For example, exchanges have flexibility on the:
• Number and type of health plan choices. The final rule allows exchanges to work with health insurers on structuring qualified health plan choices that are in the best interest of their customers. This could mean that the exchange allows any health plan meeting the standards to participate or that the exchange creates a competitive process for health plans to gain access to customers on the exchange.
• Standards for health plans. The final rule allows exchanges, working with state insurance departments, to set standards to ensure that each qualified health plan gives consumers access to a variety of providers within a reasonable amount of time. Exchanges will establish marketing standards to make sure that qualified health plans do not market plans in a way that discriminates against people with illnesses.
Adam
March 21st, 2012
10:18 am
ROFL! Is that why all the debates for obamacare were live on C-Span like he promised in his campaign?
Since when is Congress a “federal agency,” JKL?
USinUK - missing the dogwoods ... not the pollen count ...
March 21st, 2012
10:18 am
“Is that why all the debates for obamacare were live on C-Span like he promised in his campaign?”
hate to be the one to break it to you, but the President doesn’t control Congress.
he even has to ask permission to appear on the floor to address Congress for the SOTU – he sure as HELL can’t control whether or not they televise debates.
so, nice try, skipper, but not quite …
Sagegirl
March 21st, 2012
10:18 am
The highly intelligent GOP at work:
Idaho State Sen. Chuck Winder (R) made clear that punishing women who have sex is the real motivating factor behind pushing his controversial “double ultrasound” bill. After all, Winder suggested on the Senate floor in support of the bill, women can’t be trusted to make a decision like seeking an abortion because they don’t even understand when they’ve been raped.
“Rape and incest was used as a reason to oppose this,” Winder said on the Senate floor. “I would hope that when a woman goes in to a physician with a rape issue, that physician will indeed ask her about perhaps her marriage, was this pregnancy caused by normal relations in a marriage or was it truly caused by a rape. I assume that’s part of the counseling that goes on.”
Read more: http://www.care2.com/causes/idaho-republican-women-fake-rape-claims-for-abortions.html#ixzz1plEThZuA
HIPPOCRIT
March 21st, 2012
10:18 am
its all a choice between donkey dung and elephant dung……….. i say neither……….
stands for decibels
March 21st, 2012
10:20 am
Late to this, but I see two GOP energy-politics talking points need more addressing.
Average American paying 75 to 100 bucks to fill up a tank
No. Your average exurban redneck-wannabe who foolishly elects to drive a full sized pickup truck or truck-based SUV back and forth to work because — he needs a penis extender? – he’s paying 75 to 100 bucks to fill up a tank. I drive a fairly ordinary ~3500-pound five-passenger conveyance and it’s around $40-45 or so these days, which sucks, but I deal with it because that’s life in a car + petroleum-dependent first-half of the 21st century.
It won’t get any cheaper to use this filthy, destructive resource (save for a few dips in the speculative price of this crap, here and there), nor should it. You can cry all you want about how heartless it is for me or for an energy secretary to say that, but it’s the truth.
Like Granny said—practice some of that “personal responsibility” you’re always lecturing other people about. Leave the full size pickups and SUVs in the back and only use them to pull a trailer or haul some stuff, those six-eight times a year you actually do such things.
(And maybe share your truck with a buddy or a neighbor or three if *that* park-it-out-back option’s too pricey. Show some damn initiative and creativity for a change.)
He refuses to attack the gasoline price problem…..”we just can’t drill our way out of this”. Bullsh*t.
By any rational reckoning, the statement, “we can’t drill our way out of this,” is accurate. We do not have the oil reserves in this country to make a noticeable dent in global prices, even if we were to nationalize the oil industry[1] and routinely sell our product at below market rates.
This isn’t really up for debate.
You’re wrong.
Obama’s right.
___
1. No elected Republican (or Democrat, far as I know, or even Bernie Flippin’ Sanders) supports doing this.
getalife
March 21st, 2012
10:20 am
Paul,
Not tilt but out of order.
Bosch
March 21st, 2012
10:20 am
Did Jay or someone post that story about how Obama has spent less than any other POTUS except Clinton?? Sorry I missed it. Yeap, Obama is a fiscal conservative, but it’s easier just to scream he’s a Kenyan Socialist.
Talking Head
March 21st, 2012
10:21 am
“Not arguing with you, but suppose a small business owner with 100 employees was able to insure his employees through the exchange at a cost of $500.00 per employee? That would be $50,000 per year. You are saying that they would prefer to pay the fine of $2,000 per employee at a cost of $200,000 per year just to stay out of the program?”
If an employer was able to offer insurance to their employees at only $500 per employee, then yeah they would do it rather than pay the fine. However, I don’t think there are any businesses out there that are only paying $500 or even $1000 for insurance for their employees…and if there is they are certaintly large businesses, not business with 100 employees or less.
I just don’t see it happening. Many will opt for the $2,000 fine because it will lessen their expenses.
USinUK - missing the dogwoods ... not the pollen count ...
March 21st, 2012
10:22 am
Sage girl … but there is NO war on women …
the conservative men here told me so …
Adam
March 21st, 2012
10:22 am
Many will opt for the $2,000 fine because it will lessen their expenses.
Any studies or data to back this up?
carlosgvv
March 21st, 2012
10:22 am
Even if Romney does get the nomination, it’s possible Santorum will do so well that he will be picked as VP to get all the mindless religious votes. Now that’s scary.
getalife
March 21st, 2012
10:23 am
It was a gop coordinated attack on women and if you look at their con faces they thought it was funny.
USinUK - missing the dogwoods ... not the pollen count ...
March 21st, 2012
10:23 am
Bosch – 10:20 – you forgot muslim
Keep Up--Te gusta losing woofinpoofs?
March 21st, 2012
10:25 am
We do seem to be visited today by a few of them there “independent voting women” who are confident there is no war on women by the Republicans and who don’t want the “taxpayers” to pay for their birth control…… I am sure they are posting from the Whole Food lines. Why in my last visit, I saw the Whole Foods now has one of them ticker tape billboards at the register so that the talking points come out a lot faster.
Female voter
March 21st, 2012
10:25 am
Adam,
I’m typing on an iPhone so I can’t tackle your whole list. But I will say, I don’t think planned parenthood should receive federal funds. It should be a charity. There aren’t “special” govt subsidized clinics for “men’s health” are there? As for abortion, I don’t care if people have them as long as I don’t have to subsidize them with my tax dollars. The ultrasound issue is a state issue. I don’t agree with it but I do believe in states rights and I don’t think the federal govt needs to be involved in every aspect of our lives. In my mind Lilly Leadbetter is a non-issue. If anything, it came about 40 years too late. I know many women, myself included, who make more than their male counterparts. As for charging more for women to be insured, it makes sense….women cost more and have higher medical expenses, in general. “Evil” health insurance companies are private businesses that have to make a profit. Why are they held to a different standard than other businesses?
That covers a lot of your list. So, no, I’m not “speechless” but I am limited by trying to type on an iPhone.
Bosch
March 21st, 2012
10:25 am
Oh, my bad…my fingers are tired…
Adam
March 21st, 2012
10:26 am
USinUK, Bosch, did you see the “Real Mitt Romney” music video?
ragnar danneskjold
March 21st, 2012
10:26 am
Speaking of horse races, the Derby is only 6 weeks away.
Becky
March 21st, 2012
10:26 am
pickup truck=penis enxtender. love this!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Bosch
March 21st, 2012
10:27 am
Female voter,
From your first sentence PP services men too…
USinUK - missing the dogwoods ... not the pollen count ...
March 21st, 2012
10:27 am
“It should be a charity.”
Planned Parenthood IS a charity – it is a non-profit organization
many charities / non-profits receive federal funds
Butch Cassidy
March 21st, 2012
10:27 am
Talking Head – “I just don’t see it happening. Many will opt for the $2,000 fine because it will lessen their expenses.”
Gotcha. Keep in mind I don’t really have a dog in this fight since I pay for my own insurance. It’s $175.00 a month with a $3,000 deductible. I was just curious as to whether or not the people who want Obamacare repealed had a full understanding of all the provisions and not just the ones that they disagree with. I do appreciate your weighing in on the question.
Bosch
March 21st, 2012
10:27 am
No, Adam, please share!
Kamchak ~ Thug from the Steppes
March 21st, 2012
10:28 am
As for abortion, I don’t care if people have them as long as I don’t have to subsidize them with my tax dollars.
Then you can rest easy. It isn’t happening.
getalife
March 21st, 2012
10:28 am
Yup our President is a fiscal con and w and reagan are not.
We learned that yesterday.
USinUK - missing the dogwoods ... not the pollen count ...
March 21st, 2012
10:28 am
“I don’t care if people have them as long as I don’t have to subsidize them with my tax dollars.”
oh, and YOU DON’T
they Hyde Amendment – been around since 1976 – prohibits federal money from funding abortions
so:
NON-ISSUE
Bosch
March 21st, 2012
10:30 am
Hey y’all, did ya notice?? Female voter has an iPhone!!
getalife
March 21st, 2012
10:32 am
Another female voter voting for a party that coordinated a attack on women.
Self defeatist.
USinUK - missing the dogwoods ... not the pollen count ...
March 21st, 2012
10:32 am
Bosch – 10:30 – don’t believe the iPhone bit … there would be a LOT more misspellings if my iPhone is anything to go by
Adam
March 21st, 2012
10:33 am
As for abortion, I don’t care if people have them as long as I don’t have to subsidize them with my tax dollars.
Then you should have no problem with the law as it currently stands here.
In my mind Lilly Leadbetter is a non-issue. If anything, it came about 40 years too late.
The GOP wants to roll back such legislation.
As for charging more for women to be insured, it makes sense….women cost more and have higher medical expenses, in general.
That’s a lie. They tell you that so you won’t raise a fuss.
“Evil” health insurance companies are private businesses that have to make a profit.
Who called them evil, besides you? Are you one of those pretend independents?
Why are they held to a different standard than other businesses?
They aren’t. They are held to the standard of the law. As far as health care in general, health care is not sustainable as a private free market enterprise. If you care to have a legitimate debate about that, I will consider that you may actually be an independent. If, however, your instant response is SOSHULIZM!, then I suggest to you that you are not independent.
Sagegirl
March 21st, 2012
10:33 am
but there is NO war on women …
the conservative men here told me so …
and we’re listening… just waiting on Nov. taking names and remembering, like us girl’s do.
JKL2
March 21st, 2012
10:34 am
sagegirl- women can’t be trusted to make a decision like seeking an abortion because they don’t even understand when they’ve been raped.
If a women can’t figured out she was a victim of rape or incest, and is pregnant within 21 weeks, I have serious doubts about her mental capacity too.
Feel free to rant on.
Bosch
March 21st, 2012
10:34 am
Too bad female voter didn’t use her iPhone to look up the Hyde Amendment or the fact that PP treats men. So much technology wasted.
Adam
March 21st, 2012
10:34 am
Bosch, USinUK, and anyone who wants to see the Real Mitt Romney music video, you may find a link here
http://blogs.ajc.com/jay-bookman-blog/2012/03/21/for-romney-winning-ugly-is-still-winning/?cp=1#comment-900809
Also direct link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bxch-yi14BE
Talking Head
March 21st, 2012
10:35 am
“Any studies or data to back this up?”
Business 101
getalife
March 21st, 2012
10:35 am
Methinks female voter is a lying con man.
USinUK - missing the dogwoods ... not the pollen count ...
March 21st, 2012
10:35 am
Bosch – if it was REALLY on an iPhone, it would look more like this:
http://www.damnyouautocorrect.com/
Keep Up--Te gusta losing woofinpoofs?
March 21st, 2012
10:36 am
Mitt Romney can’t be held accountable for his extreme right-wing views, at least according to his campaign’s senior adviser, who said the candidate should be given a “reset button” on any positions he’s taken during the primary campaign if he wins the nominations and faces off against President Obama in the fall….FEHRNSTROM: Well, I think you hit a reset button for the fall campaign. Everything changes. It’s almost like an Etch A Sketch. You can kind of shake it up and restart all of over again
Etch a Sketch? Why I bet Romney’s nanny would flip and then shake that thing.
Isn’t this just another confession….Mitt “I’ll say anything to get elected” Romney.
Jefferson
March 21st, 2012
10:36 am
Palin would make a good VP for Romney, you betcha.
Look at Cali!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
March 21st, 2012
10:36 am
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FU27XO5vB2k
Kamchak ~ Thug from the Steppes
March 21st, 2012
10:36 am
Methinks female voter is a lying con man.
I’m thinking thelma the doom
Peadawg
March 21st, 2012
10:36 am
Supreme Court takes up the hc mandate today! Woohoo!!! We finally get to squash the debate.
Adam
March 21st, 2012
10:36 am
Business 101
Uh, not good enough. Show me evidence that the premiums will exceed the fine for businesses.
stands for decibels
March 21st, 2012
10:37 am
its all a choice between donkey dung and elephant dung…
Donkey dung gets you somewhat rational Supreme Court Justice appointments. Elephant dung gets you another lifetime’s worth of Citizens United rulings.
That ought to be enough to seal the deal for a rational voter.
Becky
March 21st, 2012
10:37 am
jkl2-there are no words to describe what a despicable “person” you are. I truly hope you never have a daughter that is raped or your wife is ever raped. Or is rape what you call a fun Friday night at your house? You and people that think like you sicken me.
Peadawg
March 21st, 2012
10:37 am
Adam
March 21st, 2012
10:34 am
Dude that is epic!
Adam
March 21st, 2012
10:38 am
Peadawg: Supreme Court takes up the hc mandate today! Woohoo!!! We finally get to squash the debate.
So having a drink to that tonight.
The only thing that sucks is the decision probably won’t be till June.
Bosch
March 21st, 2012
10:38 am
I wonder if female voter used her iPhone to read up on how healthcare is not allowed to operate on free market principles because insurance companies remove the basic economic concept of allowing producer and consumer to control the costs of the product?
Adam
March 21st, 2012
10:38 am
Peadawg: Dude that is epic!
I know right? I can listen to it over and over again, and it always makes me laugh!
stands for decibels
March 21st, 2012
10:39 am
Supreme Court takes up the hc mandate today! Woohoo!!! We finally get to squash the debate.
Today and the next three days, yep.
It’s not just the mandate being argued, of course.
http://www.aarp.org/health/health-care-reform/info-03-2012/supreme-court-affordable-care-act-constitutionality.html
Talking Head
March 21st, 2012
10:39 am
Butch,
“Gotcha. Keep in mind I don’t really have a dog in this fight since I pay for my own insurance. It’s $175.00 a month with a $3,000 deductible. I was just curious as to whether or not the people who want Obamacare repealed had a full understanding of all the provisions and not just the ones that they disagree with. I do appreciate your weighing in on the question.”
I do think initially businesses will try to keep paying their employees insurance premiums out of good faith, but after a year (especially if the economic situation is bleak) they will look harder at their expenses and probably decide the fine is worth paying. We’ll see though, I hope that scenerio doesn’t play out.
Brosephus™
March 21st, 2012
10:40 am
Damn, even hopped up on sinus meds, the bs in here is like fingernails on a chalkboard…
Peadawg
March 21st, 2012
10:40 am
“The only thing that sucks is the decision probably won’t be till June.”
I believe they’re having 3 days of debates…but why so long on the decision?
Bosch
March 21st, 2012
10:40 am
USinUK
I’ve seen that- don’t want coffee through my nose yet this morning though do I’ll hold off!
USinUK - missing the dogwoods ... not the pollen count ...
March 21st, 2012
10:40 am
“Business 101″
in other words … no.
godless heathen©
March 21st, 2012
10:40 am
“pickup truck=penis enxtender. love this!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!”
What’s a Volvo making up for?
JKL2
March 21st, 2012
10:41 am
stands- I drive a fairly ordinary ~3500-pound five-passenger conveyance and it’s around $40-45 or so these days
That’s because we are only approaching $4/gal. Wait until we get it up to $10/gal like Energy Sec Chu wants it to be.
Some people don’t have a choice in what they have to drive. That field isn’t going to get plowed, and all your Ho-Ho’s aren’t going to make it to Walmart in the back of your little car.
Paul
March 21st, 2012
10:41 am
Becky 10:26
“pickup truck=penis enxtender. love this!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!”
I’ve lived in Texas for a while and the number of pickups still confuses me. I thought maybe you had an explanation, then I realized the number of women who drive pickups…
Maybe it’s the new safe sex?
Get ready for Santorum to ban pickups -
Doggone/GA
March 21st, 2012
10:41 am
“don’t need taxpayers to pay for their birth control”
Since the original issue had nothing to do with that…you have no point. Care to try again?
Talking Head
March 21st, 2012
10:41 am
“Uh, not good enough. Show me evidence that the premiums will exceed the fine for businesses.”
Adam does your employer provide health insurance benefits? Do you have health insurance from your employer? If so, I gurantee you that they’re investing more than $2,000 a year in premiums to cover you and/or any dependents you may have. There’s your sign.
Adam
March 21st, 2012
10:41 am
Peadawg: I don’t know. Probably some arcane process.
Adam
March 21st, 2012
10:43 am
Talking Head: Doesn’t Economics 101 dictate that if the fine is $2000 and people end up offering health care that follows the ACA less than that, that others will also start lowering their prices to compete?
USinUK - missing the dogwoods ... not the pollen count ...
March 21st, 2012
10:43 am
“What’s a Volvo making up for?”
the joke here is that you get a free walker with every purchase (they’re OAP cars … oap=old age pensioner)
Butch Cassidy
March 21st, 2012
10:43 am
Talking Head – “I do think initially businesses will try to keep paying their employees insurance premiums out of good faith, but after a year (especially if the economic situation is bleak) they will look harder at their expenses and probably decide the fine is worth paying.”
I agree somewhat with that. The ultimate test will be whether or not the exchanges do what they were designed to do which is create a larger payer pool thereby decreasing the cost of healthcare insurance by increasing the number of insured. However, if healthcare costs remain the same as they are today without the exchanges, or if they increase, then that will be a clear indicator that the they need to either be modified or eliminated in order to be beneficial to it’s target buyer.
Paul
March 21st, 2012
10:44 am
Keep Up
“Mitt Romney can’t be held accountable for his extreme right-wing views, at least according to his campaign’s senior adviser, who said the candidate should be given a “reset button” on any positions he’s taken during the primary campaign if he wins the nominations and faces off against President Obama in the fall…”
Actually, that’s the most hopeful thing I’ve heard when considering the possibility of a Romney win in November.
getalife
March 21st, 2012
10:44 am
The sc is corporate owned.
The bill will stand.
Bosch
March 21st, 2012
10:45 am
Adam
Hilarious! That dude had a lot of time on his hands.
getalife
March 21st, 2012
10:46 am
Paul,
The reset button failed with Russia and will fail with willard too.
He is all over the place on the issues.
Will the real willard please stand up.
Adam
March 21st, 2012
10:46 am
With regard to the ACA, the individual mandate is completely toothless. See here for why.
Adam
March 21st, 2012
10:47 am
Bosch: Indeed. But it’s damn funny!
Butch Cassidy
March 21st, 2012
10:49 am
“the candidate should be given a “reset button” on any positions he’s taken during the primary campaign if he wins the nominations and faces off against President Obama in the fall…”
In other words: Hey, all you rubes who voted for me in order to get me the nomination shouldn’t be disappointed when I suddenly shift away from what you thought you were getting in order for me to be able to deflect any blows from Obama. And people still ask me why I abstain from the polls.
Becky
March 21st, 2012
10:49 am
Gee-I wonder what noot and the mizzus are talking about over pancakes this morning? How many new baubles she needs or how long till noot changes religions again for the 4th wife, er victim.
Gator Joe
March 21st, 2012
10:49 am
Jay:
Whether or not President Obama is reelected (I believe he will be), I’ll be fine, for the most part. The damage if Romney, or one of the other Republicans, is elected will be to the poor, to women, to children, to the elderly and to the enviornment.
As for Romney and his lack or character, if he is so easily manipulated by the extremists now, then imagine how it will be if he were elected, when Big Business, Big Oil, and the 1% holds him accountable for their support.
Bosch
March 21st, 2012
10:49 am
The individual mandate will stand. How do you expect the insurance companies to pay for the other parts like not dropping people for illness, you people who think this will be repealed are tools.
Talking Head
March 21st, 2012
10:49 am
Adam,
“Talking Head: Doesn’t Economics 101 dictate that if the fine is $2000 and people end up offering health care that follows the ACA less than that, that others will also start lowering their prices to compete?”
No. The ACA will have no effect on lowering insurance premiums for individuals or businesses outside of the created ‘exchanges.’ Premiums will continue to increase, and businesses will opt to pay the $2,000 fine.
Brosephus™
March 21st, 2012
10:50 am
Paul
I forgot to tell you this yesterday. In reference to the Jedi Mind Trick, I had another observation about the dialogue here. It reminds me of this scene from one of my favorite movies. Notice the screaming completely unrelated to the topic.
NSFW!!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sSfHryQzNkI
Keep Up--Te gusta losing woofinpoofs?
March 21st, 2012
10:50 am
Paul, I would agree if the moderate Romney came back but unfortunately no assurances. I don’t agree with the “conservative” Obama but at least I know he is not going to play to the Republican extreme base. Mitt would still play to that base and that could be even more dangerous if Mitt tried to run for a second term if he got elected.
Common Sense isn't very Common
March 21st, 2012
10:50 am
Butch – count on some of the Red States to not cover BC for women but cover Viagra for the men in the insurance coverage
Gotta keep em barefoot and pregnant I tells ya
Doggone/GA
March 21st, 2012
10:50 am
“I believe they’re having 3 days of debates…but why so long on the decision?”
Technically, it isn’t “debate” – it’s “argument” Each side presents their case for the decision they think is correct. The justices ask questions. When that part is all done there is still research for any previous decisions that might be relevent, and for existing laws that might be relevent. All of that takes time, sometimes a LOT of time.
Adam
March 21st, 2012
10:51 am
Talking Head: How are the exchanges somehow completely separate of the other types of health insurance?
Female voter
March 21st, 2012
10:52 am
Adam,
I’m not a pretend independent. I’m not a hypocrite like most democrats and Republicans. I expect to be treated equal (not better than) other Americans. Sorry if I don’t play the victim and think I deserve more just because I’m a female. A lot of people in this country play the victim constantly, and that’s fine, but for me, working hard and not expecting any handouts has worked just fine for me.
As to planned parenthood, I know in the liberal mind tax money doesn’t go to abortions, but in my mind, PP gets a lump sum from the govt which frees up other non-govt funds for use on abortions. Deny it all you want. They, along with many other organizations (like the catholic church) should not be receiving federal dollars.
And to the liberal who made the sexist comment about my being in line at whole foods…I guess it’s ok for people on your side to make sexist remarks. Thanks for proving my point about hypocrites. I suppose all women are good for is doing the grocery shopping? You sound a little bit like that knuckle-dragger Santorum.
Bosch
March 21st, 2012
10:52 am
Why so long for the SC decision? So the insurance companies can sit down with each Justice and explain to them if they repeal that part, they will start dropping folks with preexisting conditions and sick folks again. Tools, all of ya.
Butch Cassidy
March 21st, 2012
10:53 am
Talking Head – “Premiums will continue to increase, and businesses will opt to pay the $2,000 fine.”
That’s actually pretty accurate at least until 2017 when the states will have the option to allow employers with more than 100 employees to participate. Until then, the larger employers will still be subject to the same market forces that they are now. However, I believe that’s why the exchange provision was created in the first place, so that small businesses could afford to provide health insurance to their employees.