Health care cram down is over
Thinking Right’s weekend free-for-all. Pick a topic:
● What a difference a week makes. The Massachusetts uprising against Congress and this administration lifts the spirits of those, like me, who are concerned that we’re weakening America and stealing from future generations to fund current consumption. And then a conservative Republican wins the “Kennedy seat” in ultra-liberal Massachusetts. Blow me down. The health-care cram down is over. Over-reaching Democrats are in shock.
● The nation wants jobs, economic recovery and national security. The Left wants control of energy, autos, financial and the health care and insurance industries. They win. We lose. Example: The Environmental Protection Agency proposes stricter standards for ground-level ozone — stricter than standards just imposed in 2008. There’s a cost, certainly, that industry and utilities pay that they pass on in the form of higher consumer prices. But the real value of the stricter standards is that it gives federal bureaucrats power to veto new roads, slow regional growth, and force industry to spend more for new technology. It’s all about power and control.
● President Barack Obama is proposing a new tax, allegedly to be levied for no more than 10 years, of 0.15 percent on the liabilities of big financial institutions. Said tax would generate an estimated $117 billion. The justification is recovery of the $700 billion allocated to the Troubled Asset Relief Program, though it’s levied on firms that may not have gotten any federal help. The politicians are calling it a “financial crisis responsibility fee” and say it could come from the executive bonuses. Sure. It’ll be built into the cost of doing business, which means consumers will pay. It is so dishonest to say that this administration’s new taxes fall on the rich. They fall on all of us.
● Where do their senses go when they start spending other people’s money? DeKalb County is facing possible layoffs to close a projected $50 million deficit. So commissioners approve a $101,000 contract to wallpaper and paint county buildings. In these difficult times, you fix holes in the roof; cosmetics can wait.
● An era ends. Central State Hospital in Milledgeville is ending mental health services, which state officials started doing 40 years ago in de-institutionalizing the mentally ill. Time was that the phrase “they took her to Milledgeville” or they sent him to Reidsville” were all-conveying conversation-stoppers. Place-names identified the mission, along with the illness or the offense.
● An invitation to go hunting with the John Oxendine party? Thanks, but I’ve been delaying getting my shoe-lace drawer straightened out and that’s the day I’ve set aside to do it.
● The Obama administration’s decision to lawyer-up would-be terrorist bomber Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab and try him in civilian courts is made dumber by the revelation that he was not properly questioned by intelligence officers before the civilian-court decision was made.
● Times are so bad that robbers are bypassing banks and robbing the Dollar General store, as they did this week in Macon.
● No brainer: Pass the ban on text messaging while driving before the Georgia House of Representatives now. State Rep. Allen Peake of Macon, one of the sponsors, is a former offender. “I can remember driving three or four miles and having no idea what I had just done because of texting.”
● Officials at Chattanooga’s Memorial Hospital say they’ll stop hiring people who smoke. What about fat people? No. They’re not yet a despised class. Discrimination is OK if the middle class, politicians and opinion leaders agree on whose undesirable. You don’t ever want to get on the wrong side of the stampeding herd.
● A state jobs summit is just collective hand-wringing for PR purposes. The problem’s not in Atlanta. It’s in Washington. Tax-and-regulatory uncertainty and the unpredictability of Congress are the real jobs killers.Health care cram down is over
Tell us what you think about the site
Customer Care »
Vacation stops, manage subscriptions and more
AJC Services
Sections
Other Editions
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement
© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
65 comments Add your comment
Madison
January 21st, 2010
6:51 pm
Brown is my new favorite color!
Ragnar Danneskjöld
January 21st, 2010
7:08 pm
Good evening all. Certainly we can agree that the death of Obamacare is an unexpected and pleasant surprise. I respectfully dissent from any perspective that newly-elected Sen. Brown is a conservative, but then I also regard both Georgia senators as Democrats-Lite. And Jim, if you are willing to run, I’ll pay your qualification fee. If Jim won’t run, I’ll extend that offer to @@. I’d like to see a conservative in Johnny’s seat.
Jim, I cannot improve your paragraph on leftism and bureaucrats. But you can extend that same sentiment to the Supreme Court ruling abolishing bureaucrat dictation of permissible and impermissible political speech.
Only a brainless attorney would think taxing banks, to pay for losses on automobile company giveaways, makes any economic sense. Then, nobody ever accused Chauncey of having any economic sense.
Many jokes popping up about Cheney-Oxendine hunting trips.
Late-breaking news is that the decision to try the Fruit-of-the-Boom terrorist in civilian court was made personally by Eric Holder. All roads to stupidity seem to go through his office.
When I take my afternoon walk, at rush hour down here in the swamp, sometimes I count the texters and cell-phone drivers. I normally see 20%. Nevertheless, I would oppose the law unless the consequence is the death penalty. Too many stupid laws. Repeal at least two before passing this one.
Wonder if Memorial Hospital is a government entity? Normally that is where stupid ideas originate. The economic effect, of course, is that more rational entities will be able to hire job-desperate smoker-pariahs for less than the market would permit based on their skills alone. Where one window closes, another opens.
Re your last paragraph: from your lips to Chauncey’s ears.
vuduchld
January 21st, 2010
7:39 pm
If any of you near-do-wells think that health care is done, then you’re smoking way too much hash. I haven’t seen any of these problems associated with HC go away and to bury one’s head in the sand and pretend it so is silly. HC is coming to this nation whether people like it or not, the momentum is still there and it’s going to happen regardless of some dope smoking “whatever” he is libertarian who has already shown to be completely clueless.
And for those in the G no P crying “filibuster” if it does come up I say go right ahead, the same was done to the civil rights bill almost a century ago and guess what happened. I see opporunity in this whole thing for the Democrats. The need to stop whining and crying and this bill through, put the G no P on the defensive and let them filibuster it to death. It’s time for Brown and all of his idiot friends to put up or shut the hell up because for all the euphoria of getting 41, not a damn thing has changed!!
HM
January 21st, 2010
7:47 pm
Jim:
Health Care, Cap & Trade, EPA rules, financial institutions tax, financial transactions fee, death to big banks, etc., etc., etc. Evidently, there nothing this administration doesn’t want to foul up. Thankfully, it appears the voters of this country are returning to their senses, and this nonsense will come to an end. Is it too much to hope that Sens. Reid and Boxer will be “retired” by the voters in their states in November?
The American People
January 21st, 2010
7:55 pm
Thank you Massachusetts, you did the right thing……….elected the right person for the job. Down With Dems In 2K10
Michael H. Smith
January 21st, 2010
8:08 pm
Watching Nancy Pelosi exercise “the public option of robust humility”, genuine or not, is such sweet savor.
It was even better than seeing a hug from Harry.
Michael H. Smith
January 21st, 2010
8:19 pm
Yes, thank you good – Independent – people of Massachusetts, my apologies are in order for all the mean things I’ve said of you: Year, afta year, afta year. Lie, afta lie, afta lie. Time, afta time, afta time. Again, Again and uh… AGAIN! (sic)
Glad to see the good people of Massachusetts as the rightful owners reclaim “their” Senate seat.
By the way, I think yous guys picked a pretty good Senata.
Dawgdad
January 21st, 2010
8:19 pm
I just hope that the Reps do not fall back into their old ways of getting wishy washy. If they do we will see them rushing to compromise with the guy who has tried his best to bury them for the last year. The Reps love being liked by the press and love to feel they are Bi-partisian. As Rush says the Dems only recognize Bi-partisian as you agreeing with their liberal ideas.
The Reps need to step forward and say that Obummer has failed to fix healthcare so we are introducing a bill that will fix the most serious problems and will not cost you one penny. The bill should include buying insurance across state lines, allowing small businesses to form groups, tort reform, health care deductions on income tax, etc.
lets gloat
January 21st, 2010
8:39 pm
bad month for the left. ha ha ha ha
Joan
January 21st, 2010
8:41 pm
I agree with Dawgdad. The Repubs need to take up the initiative on a health care reform that makes sense, one that truly reforms, and doesn’t hand over control of health care to the government. Tort reform that makes sense, cross border competition, jail time for healthcare fraud, and a hard investigation into all those medical device providers now approved by Medicare to make sure they are not overcharging. Finally, why not make fat people pay more for insurance? They certainly weigh down the health care system. Pun intended.
Madison
January 21st, 2010
9:04 pm
vuduchld , I don’t know what you are smoking but man you are clueless. A HC bill may be passed but if won’t be this piece of crap.
Mike
January 21st, 2010
10:23 pm
Headline: “Obama: Seat Brown Before Passing Health Care.”
If I was expected to sign a bill that cost a trillion dollars, reinvigorated the abortion debate, created additional taxes and bureaucracy and still left millions of people uninsured, my seat would be brown too.
EVIL REPUBLICANS TIME IS UP
January 22nd, 2010
12:08 am
IF THEY WOULD HAVE VOTED FOR A DEMOCRAP IN MASS SENATE RACE,THEY WOULD HAVE BEEN CALLED THE SAME STUPID YANKEES ALL OVER AGAIN!
Tired of both sides
January 22nd, 2010
12:09 am
I watched my Grandfather lose his life savings spending money on medicine to keep my Grandmother alive. My wife’s father was a Vice President for American Express who flew over 100 combat missions in Vietnam. He got cancer and by the time he passed away, my wife’s family had $300,000 in medical bills. They had to declare bankruptcy. My premiums for my family’s insurance go up every year, and the coverage gets worse every year. The bill is not that great. But what are some of you know it alls(including Wooten)alternatives? And I’m not talking about sitting on your hands.
hryder
January 22nd, 2010
12:13 am
A large problem exists in that far too many people do not realize that health care and health insurance are different entities. The latter being a way to insure for care and payment of defined health situations which could occur in the policy holders life. Health care is the method of treatment for the health situation which has arisen. Most people do not differentiate between the two and usually discussions end due to this lack of understanding. Much like attempting to mix oil and water because one thinks both are water or both are oil. Little can be accomplished unless most all involved understand that health insurance and health care are two separate things and need to be handled as such.
Na'Tricianna Ma'Khayvighnon Philpot
January 22nd, 2010
7:00 am
Tax the bankers’ profits, tax their bonuses, tax their golf scores. I mean it. Take their windfall, and give it to the taxpayers who bailed them out. Britain and France plan a 50 percent tax on banker bonuses – coordinated lest their financial bigwigs think of crossing the channel for a better deal. President Obama’s proposal to tax the big banks’ extraordinary profits fits the theme.
Will
January 22nd, 2010
7:24 am
IF republicans accept and learn from their MA victory, they have a real chance of taking back Congress in November.
Senator-elect Brown is a “big tent” republican who does not pass the litmus test of the Demint republicans/tea party advocates (indeed, the tea party ran their own candidate in MA, pulling just over 1% of the vote). What’s that you say, the Demint republicans also supported this pro-choice reform minded MA republican? If so, then I guess (hopefully so) that all this talk about “purity” is jus that – talk.
Republicans can follow the path of Demint republicans and feel good about being “pure” and lose House seats they have held since the Civil War and turn easy elections in Florida and Kentucky into competitive elections for democrats or they can follow the path of Brown/Graham/Isakson republicans and retake Congress.
Na'Tricianna Ma'Khayvighnon Philpot
January 22nd, 2010
8:03 am
Will 7:24 am
If Johnny Isakson(RINO) is a Republican, I’m a UGA cheerleader.
Call it Like It Is
January 22nd, 2010
8:07 am
Amen Jim!!!
The Socialist will be out of office come the next election.
Enough Said!
Churchill's MOM
January 22nd, 2010
8:14 am
Rag Man.. There is no hope that the Georgia Rep. Party will find a anyone to run against this scoialist. Our only hope is the Libertarian Candidate Chuck Donovan. I have not meet him yet, but he has to be better than Isakson. By the way I see your man Saxby is busy selling our vote to lobbyist in exchange for golf. What ever happened to his support of the fair tax?
http://www.donovanforsenate.com/
3rd Party Guy
January 22nd, 2010
8:38 am
Obama is not a socialist, he’s a communist.
Bush was the socialist, a corporate socialist.
We are going to have UHC plan shoved down our throats. It’s just a matter of time, and it’s going to be bad, very bad.
The Ghost of Harry S. Truman
January 22nd, 2010
8:49 am
The Massachusetts Sentae race shows what happens when you win the Presidency, then keep campaigining for the Presidency after you have it, instead of stopping the campaign and starting to govern.
david wayne osedach
January 22nd, 2010
9:12 am
One of Obama’s “signature programs” down and one to go! Please get us out of his “signature war” in Afghanistan!
HDB
January 22nd, 2010
9:21 am
@ Dawgdad 0819:
“I just hope that the Reps do not fall back into their old ways of getting wishy washy. As Rush says the Dems only recognize Bi-partisian as you agreeing with their liberal ideas.
The bill should include buying insurance across state lines, allowing small businesses to form groups, tort reform, health care deductions on income tax, etc.”
========================================================================By following the Limbaugh mantra, no one needs to improve on the health care system; how wrong can one be!! What the Republicans need to do is to look at the needs of the PEOPLE…not the insurance companies. Keeping the status quo is NOT acceptable! A Republican compromise only means that the rich get richer…and the people get screwed!
Now, to address your thoughts on the bill:
1) Insurance is ALREADY being sold across state lines; lookat BCBS, Aetna, CIGNA, United HealthCare, Prudential…..and the rates are still increasing. Also think of this: A person in NY buys a BCBS PPO in MS….but discovers he has cancer…and goes to Sloan-Kettering in NY for treatment. Doe to cost differential, the policy in MS will only cover HALF of his treatment….so not only does one pay the 20% co-pay, but the 50% differential. How do you spell bankruptcy??
Another case: same situation as before…but one was smart enough to purchase multiple policies from different vendors. At that point, the insurance companies will argue over which policy is PRIMARY..and NEITHER pays. Now, one is holding the bag for the ENTIRE BILL! (It HAS happened!!)
2) Small companies CAN form groups now..IF they choose to. The question is: why they DON’T??
3) Tort reform: So you’re placing a limit on a person’s LIFE?? A life is worth only $250,000? Plus…aren’t you also denying a person’s right to redress when FAULT WAS PROPERLY FOUND??? That is unconstitutional!! Plus Texas put tort reform in place…and costs are still rising!! No change there!!
4) Health care deductions are ALREADY tax-deductible….look at your Schedule A on and itemized-1040…….
What needs to be done, IMHO, is a baseline HMO offered by the government with the consumer being allowed to purchase catastrophic coverage from the insurance companies. That will insure universal coverage…and a better life expectancy. Plus…..what is needed is more funding more medical schools so that we can generate the doctors that this nation needs!!
Ragnar Danneskjöld
January 22nd, 2010
9:56 am
Good morning, Mom. I would vote for Mr. Donovan if he ran in the republican primary. I think it more critical to keep leftists out of the Senate than getting good people in. Mr. Isakson, a RINO, does not deserve support but for the potential alternative, as Mr. Donovan has no real chance at election. I am not inclined to give a true leftist a job in DC.
Chris Broe
January 22nd, 2010
10:36 am
A man was shot in his home yesterday. Oxendine issued a statement demanding the man apologize to his son.
Dawgdad
January 22nd, 2010
10:41 am
HDB: you made some good points, but lets be more specific here. You said health care is already tax deductible, not quite. I think you have to have medical expenses that total 7$ of your income or meet some such illogical standard. Where do you deduct your insurance premiums. Here is something simple that would help, line 10 Form 1040, deduct premiums paid for health insurance NTE 12,000. Keep the schedule A deduction for expenses, but lower the treshold to 2%.
On interstate sale of health insurance. Lets let the insurance companies compete to create a GEICO type car insurance program for health care expenses. Policy is good nationwide, so if you live in GA and are traveliing in Hawaii, you don’t have to fly home when you need an appendectomy.
Tort reform doesn’t mean that when you are wronged that there is no remedy in the courts, it would be aimed at eliminating minor or stupid cases. Establish some arbitration panels to mediate claims, everything does not need a court trial and tremendous attorney fees. The Dem owning trial lawyers will never allow this however. I could go on and on, but bottom line is there are common sense effective ways of handling our health insurance problems without creating and paying for more government agencies and regulations.
Democrats are Corrupt, Repukes are Lying Scum
January 22nd, 2010
10:46 am
You would no believe what would pass for health care reimbursement under ObamaCare. Cognitive therapy for allegedly autistic children would be a huge ripe off, the scooter store would triple its sales of electric wheelchairs to otherwise health people, at no cost to the people. Liposuction for fat girls would be covered at 100% plus a 20% bonus for the fat girl to compensate her for the trouble. The suctioned fat would get an alternative energy tax credit.
JackLeg
January 22nd, 2010
10:52 am
Tired of both sides, how stupid are you liberals?
“My wife’s father was a Vice President for American Express who flew over 100 combat missions in Vietnam. He got cancer and by the time he passed away, my wife’s family had $300,000 in medical bills”
This is the exact kind of care that the dimacrats wanted for the “average” person.
BS Aplenty
January 22nd, 2010
11:04 am
An invitation to go hunting with the John Oxendine party? Thanks, but I’ve been delaying getting my shoe-lace drawer straightened out and that’s the day I’ve set aside to do it.
Comedy writer? I see a future.
marko
January 22nd, 2010
11:05 am
At one point 70% of the American people favored a public option as a health care choice. Options are cool, you can take them or leave them. What we got is the same old Washington knows best garbage we always get from the usual suspects. If we were to start firing them all regardless of party affiliation, w’d start to see some meaningful change. Untill our elected officials fear for their jobs as much we do we’ll never see change we can believe in. Good start Massachusetts.It’s up to the rest of us to keep up the good work.
Old American
January 22nd, 2010
11:07 am
Democrats went from power-hungry to power-mad. They repeatedly stated that they “wanted to make history.” Once given the power, they did just that. They went on to weaken the country by making some of the most horrendously damaging financial decisions in the history of the United States, and did so against, and without regard to, the desires of or the effect on the American people. Now that some of that power has been taken away (oh, thank you, wonderful people of Massachusetts), Dems suddenly “recognize that the American people are angry.” Great observation there, Sherlocks! In truth, all they recognize is that their jobs are now in jeopardy, and like most politicians, they’ll say anything to get re-elected. If voters go to the polls as expected, many of these self-absorbed pols will end up sitting on the curb, swinging their legs!
Hillbilly Deluxe
January 22nd, 2010
11:31 am
The politicians are calling it a “financial crisis responsibility fee” and say it could come from the executive bonuses. Sure. It’ll be built into the cost of doing business,
Those executive bonuses are sacred and, of course, can’t be cut back.
Crim said Oxendine was hunting on land owned by a partnership that includes Delos “Dee” Yancey III, a Rome insurance executive.
So Oxendine is hunting on land belonging to someone he’s supposed to regulate? The quote is from a previous AJC story of Jan. 20.
Chris Broe
January 22nd, 2010
12:52 pm
What kind of healthcare coverage did the poor peppered victim of Oxendine’s family have? Was he denied coverage for a pre-existing partisan condition?
DAVID; AJC Truth detector
January 22nd, 2010
1:06 pm
Lordy….Lordy…..Lordy…..one lone man…..Scott BROWN saved America from a total Socialist takeover.
Union City
January 22nd, 2010
1:08 pm
Give me HealthCare Reform!!!! That’s what I voted for and the elections clearly said that in 08.
Bubba
January 22nd, 2010
1:16 pm
One would have thought that Dems would have learned their lessons from the GOP about “cram downs.” Instead, they chose to model themselves in the same light of arrogance and shut down any talk of different ideas or solutions. Part of it’s media. If you can’t make your point in a sound bite, you won’t be heard. Most of it, though, lies in the fact that legislators align themselves with the DNCC or the RNC, and not with the people who elected them. Really now, when was the last time Reid, Pelosi, Schumer, Dodd, Frank, Murtha et al actually listened to a constituent that didn’t have money?
Here’s hoping that Brown gets it, the Ga. legislature finally listens to its constituents and not its lobbyists (not the same thing, guys), and that we actually start discussing ideas and stop having pis- er, yelling contests.
Churchill's MOM
January 22nd, 2010
1:17 pm
Ragnar Danneskjöld
9:56 am
Your attitude is why we have 2 Socialist Senators and the GOP is Democratic lite or what ever the best paying lobbyist says.
Captain Midnight
January 22nd, 2010
1:30 pm
DAVID; AJC Truth detector , You said it all. “Scott Brown saved America”!! Shout it from the from the highest mountain!! “From Lookout mountain of Tennessee to Stone mountain of Georgia” Scott Brown saved America! Glory, glory halleluja, Scott Brown saved America!
Captain Midnight
January 22nd, 2010
1:34 pm
Oh,btw, anyone else remember in the last McCain/Obama debate when McCain said “he’s going to tax your healthcare plans”, and Obama just stood and shook his head. Sen Mccain had this guy figured out along time ago but noone would listen. “Whatchutalkinbout McCain?
jconservative
January 22nd, 2010
1:44 pm
“…who are concerned that we’re weakening America and stealing from future generations to fund current consumption.”
Yeah Jim that has been my concern also. Of course, I started back in 1981 when Reagan cut taxes and sent spending through the roof. The national debt was $934 billion the day Reagan was sworn in – it was $2.8 trillion the day he left office. So much for “conservative” management of the economy.
A free history lesson for those interested in historical facts.
Two weeks after his inauguration, Reagan made a speech lamenting on the increasing national debt and stating that we could not pass on such large debts, $934 billion, to our grand children. He did not listen and few others did.
Cutty
January 22nd, 2010
1:44 pm
I’m sure I can go back and find a post where Wooten despised Massachusetts liberals, and railed against them every chance he got. Now he loves them, go figure.
So I guess ground-level Ozone is a good thing to Wooten.
Georgia has the most bank failures in the nation, yet Wooten says the problems are in Washington. Get your head out the sand dude. The problem is here with these ponzi scheme business practices this state has. What business wants to come to Georgia when their employeesmay probably be able to bring assault rifles to work.
Where was Richard Reid, the shoe-bomber, prosecuted? In civil court or a military tribunal Wooten? Right.
retiredds
January 22nd, 2010
2:34 pm
Jim, I have heard enough about the current administration “stealing from America” and laying a huge debt upon our children, grandchildren, and beyond. If you, and any others who post to this blog, would research federal budget deficits over the last 60 years you will find, some to your amazement, that the over-consumption of the American people has been accumulating for generations. It should come as no surprise to anyone that the federal deficit did not reach 12+ trillion dollars in the last year. So who is to blame? How about all of us: Republicans, Democrats, Libertarians, greens, blues, reds, etc., etc. How about putting a stop to the blame game and everyone, me included, begin to work together to solve the financial problems we face. Blaming the other, whoever that is, NEVER, NEVER, NEVER works. I am glad for the shakeup that Scott Brown has foisted upon us. BUT, will it be business as usual next month when the euphoria wears off. I hope not, but on this subject I am a pessimist because everyone wants to blame everyone else because we refuse to look in the mirror.
Steve
January 22nd, 2010
3:12 pm
jconservative
“The national debt was $934 billion the day Reagan was sworn in – it was $2.8 trillion the day he left office. So much for “conservative” management of the economy.”
Reagan was confronted with a Cold War with the Soviet Union. Their goal was military expansion across the globe, but he realized that their economy was weak. So Reagan decided to upgrade our military hardware to the point that they could not keep up. It bankrupted their economy, and caused the eventual collapse of the Soviet Union. Millions of residents of Eastern Europe were freed from a communist regime. Whatever it cost, it was worth it.
Michael H. Smith
January 22nd, 2010
4:52 pm
From the Gallup Poll
In U.S., Majority Favors Suspending Work on Healthcare Bill
Seven in 10 say Massachusetts election result reflects frustrations shared by Americans
PRINCETON, NJ — In the wake of Republican Scott Brown’s victory in Tuesday’s U.S. Senate election in Massachusetts, the majority of Americans (55%) favor Congress’ putting the brakes on its current healthcare reform efforts and considering alternatives that can obtain more Republican support. Four in 10 Americans (39%) would rather have House and Senate Democrats continue to try to pass the bill currently being negotiated in conference committee.
http://www.gallup.com/poll/125327/Majority-Favors-Suspending-Work-Healthcare-Bill.aspx
jconservative
January 22nd, 2010
6:35 pm
” So Reagan decided to upgrade our military hardware to the point that they could not keep up. It bankrupted their economy, and caused the eventual collapse of the Soviet Union. Millions of residents of Eastern Europe were freed from a communist regime. Whatever it cost, it was worth it.”
OK. So that takes care of aboit $600 billion of the $2.8 trillion.
What about the remainder?
3rd Party Guy
January 22nd, 2010
6:42 pm
It’s funny how the extreme right hate big government unless it’s macho and tough: big military, big police agencies, CIA, DEA, NSA, NRO, FBI, ATF, and so on; then it is okay. Now we have the TSA and Homeland Security, but hey, they keep us safe. Yet, you need to be stripped searched to board an airplane and we all need security systems to guard our homes and families.
Meanwhile, the extreme left hate all that law and order; unless we are talking banning free speech, enforcing the absolute right to killing unborn babies (who cares, they can’t vote), forcing working people to pay for deadbeats, telling businesses how/when/who to hire. Oh,and don’t forget to they want your guns while elevating homosexuality to the thing of great beauty. But wait, there’s more: you are entitled to $1,000,000 worth of healthcare, an excellent job, a high quality education, equal outcomes, and a high self-esteem.
This country is so screwed because of partisan politics. Both parties spend their time taking everyone’s freedom and all you partisan do is argue about who sucks more. We have been divided, and soon we will be conquered.
Carl
January 22nd, 2010
8:42 pm
To all of you applauding no health care bill, any suggestions on how I as a self employed diabetic can get affordable health insurance, mine with a $4000.00 ded. is over $1200.00 per mo. for my wife and I. Then 70/30. No, not over weight, juvenile diabetic. Suggestions?
jconservative
January 23rd, 2010
9:37 am
Correcting the figures in my January 22nd, 2010 6:35 pm re Reagan and the national debt.
Carter spent an average of $293 billion annually on defense. Reagan increased that to an average of $386 billion annually. The difference is $93 billion annually and $744 billion for his 8 year presidency. In my 6:35 pm I used the figure of $600 billion (lesson: do not quote from memory).
But my point remains; the myth that Reagan’s increase of the national debt went to destroy the USSR is just that, a myth. The national debt increased under Reagan by $1.2 trillion even allowing for defense spending increases. The national debt went up due to tax cuts and increased spending at all levels of the federal government. This trend has continued and this is exactly what Obama is doing, cutting taxes and increasing spending. That must stop!
JD
January 23rd, 2010
12:00 pm
jconservative:
Tax cuts have, as under Reagan, historically increased revenues. Congress was under control of the Democrats during the Reagan years and Congress approves the spending. The Executive Branch presents a budget and the Congress amends the budget to suit. There was no line item veto.
Congress is responsbile for the “pork” and earmarks. Congress, whether under R or D control, is the culprit in the spending process.
Apparently Lefties are too dim to recognize tax cuts have always increased revenues as the cuts stimulate economic activity, but then the Lefties are only interested in power and not that which is in the best interest of the country.
The Health Care/Insurance proposal is a classic example of the Left’s thirst for power as costs at all levels were increased and care was diminished without even accomplishing the stated goal of “universal” health care.
The Georgia Senators were mostly silent on the Health Care/Insurance proposal and should be voted into retirement.