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Sound and Fury
Author: BobR    Date: 03/24/2010 10:32:46

It's all over but the shouting now. Yesterday President Obama signed health care reform into law, putting into place what some people consider one more plank in the platform of equality: equal access to health care. The shouting, however, continues and will continue through at least the elections at the end of this year. Most of the shouting is coming from the right-wing, though some comes from the left as well.

The biggest complaint from both the left AND the right is the so-called "unfunded mandate". The idea behind the "mandate" is that if everyone is covered, then money is saved by the elimination of taxpayer-funded emergency room care. The biggest complaint is that citizens are being forced to get coverage even if they can't afford it, and must pay a penalty if they don't. The left thinks there should be a "public option"; the right thinks the whole idea is unconstitutional.

However, I heard an interesting explanation last night that takes the winds out of both sails. Apparently, this "fee" is being assessed and collected by the IRS. What do you call a fee collected by the IRS?

A tax.

So - if you get health care coverage, you essentially get a tax credit to buy your private insurance coverage. If you don't get health care coverage, you don't get the tax break. This is not unlike other tax credits you get for certain things.

That is a FAR cry from the "unfunded mandate" we hear in certain progressive circles. As to the right-wing, they should be happy that they are getting a tax credit AND they get to keep the health care coverage they already have. Perhaps someone should explain that to them. It's not likely they'll listen though, because FAUX News won't be the ones telling them.

In the meantime, what you WILL hear is talk of repealing the bill in Congress or lawsuits against it. Repealing the bill is a pipe dream of epic proportions. It would require Republicans to gain a veto-proof majority in both the House and the Senate. That is extremely unlikely, despite their delusions about the popularity of the bill. The lawsuit approach is hypocritical coming from a party that turned "trial lawyers" into a dirty phrase, and keeps pushing for tort reform to limit what they consider to be specious lawsuits.

They are also trying to derail the "fix" package (passed by the House) in the Senate by throwing amendments at it, hoping to force a change to send it back to the House again. Sadly for them, they only have 20 hrs in which to do this - they can't filibuster this package.

Regardless - the major components are now law. There are numerous sites around describing what this bill means to most people; I'll link to just one that comes from what I would consider a universally unbiased source. I do believe that by the time November rolls around, most people will have a more truthful understanding of what is actually in the bill, and any politicians that try to run against it will be very unpopular.

For now though, supporters of health care reform can finally exhale and enjoy the moment, while the opposers continue to vent their anger and frustration. Some people just need to be dragged kicking and screaming into the 21st century.

 

49 comments (Latest Comment: 03/25/2010 02:21:38 by livingonli)
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Comment by wickedpam on 03/24/2010 12:34:32
Morning



The complaint I heard yesterday was the idea that the bill was a small business killer - spent a good part of the day informing people of tax credits and exemptions and etc ...

Comment by Raine on 03/24/2010 12:53:01
Good Morning!

Comment by TriSec on 03/24/2010 13:00:45
Morning, folks.



Idle thought....the dozen or so Attorneys General that are filing suit....would that be the same states as the old Confederacy?



Come on guys, stop dicking around and just secede again, willya?



Don't let the door hit you on the ass on the way out.





Comment by Raine on 03/24/2010 13:05:32
Hal on the live stream!

Comment by TriSec on 03/24/2010 13:06:38
I don't think the Republicans will find quite the amount of anger the polls reflect.



Did you hear the story yesterday about how the numbers break down?



It's like 60% oppose, but only a minority of that truly oppose the bill; the balance of the number is folks on the left that are unhappy that it didn't go far enough.



Sure there will be battles in November, but if this takes hold and people really see the benefits, that anger just won't be there.



Comment by Raine on 03/24/2010 13:13:37
Quote by TriSec:

I don't think the Republicans will find quite the amount of anger the polls reflect.



Did you hear the story yesterday about how the numbers break down?



It's like 60% oppose, but only a minority of that truly oppose the bill; the balance of the number is folks on the left that are unhappy that it didn't go far enough.



Sure there will be battles in November, but if this takes hold and people really see the benefits, that anger just won't be there.



One GOP rep from Georgia is already backing down.





Comment by Raine on 03/24/2010 14:07:23
Words fail me. Did he REALLY do this? the video says yes.



After the devastating earthquake that hit Haiti in January, President Obama asked former presidents Bill Clinton and George W. Bush to lead the U.S. relief effort in that country. The two men viewed one of Haiti’s “massive tent cities” yesterday, in a trip — their first one to the country together — to “remind donors of the immense needs facing the recovery effort.” BBC aired video of Bush and Clinton’s visit, and Mediate noticed that at one point, Bush appeared to wipe his hand off on Clinton’s shirt after shaking hands with a crowd of Haitians. Watch it:


Comment by Scoopster on 03/24/2010 14:17:44
Morning all!



Freep this poll!!!

Comment by TriSec on 03/24/2010 14:29:26
Question for the blog.



Can a family of 3 live in the NYC area on $85,000? (We can in Boston, very well. If only I was making that much.)



The job itself is in Manhattan.



Recruiter found my resume online and called me.



Comment by Will in Chicago on 03/24/2010 14:42:36
Quote by TriSec:

Question for the blog.



Can a family of 3 live in the NYC area on $85,000? (We can in Boston, very well. If only I was making that much.)



The job itself is in Manhattan.



Recruiter found my resume online and called me.





Perhaps someone can comment on it who knows New York, but that would work very well in the Chicago area.



BobR, an excellent blog entry today! I think that we will see a lot of grumbling about the bill from the Republicans, as they have little to run on in terms of accomplishments.



Many on the Left want to see more reform in the bill, and I think that we will see more efforts on this. Perhaps if the Democrats can keep or improve their majority in Congress, we may see more changes to the bill.



Raine, George W. Bush seems to have a fear of germs. So, it is perhaps ironic that there is something on this Earth that makes Bush react as many react to him.



Comment by Scoopster on 03/24/2010 14:44:28
Tri drop a note to HBK on Facebook she'd be able to give you an idea if it's possible..

Comment by Raine on 03/24/2010 15:03:40
Tri I think you can, but you would have to be willing to commute from say -- New Jersey. (it's not as bad as people think...)



This might help.





Comment by TriSec on 03/24/2010 15:06:19




I have just heard from several scout parents that our chartering organization has scheduled the "spring fling" for the same night as our last pack meeting.



Why the fuck did I give them a schedule in the first place??



This is strike three; we have an unfortunate track record with the school principal that dates back over two years now.



I'm looking into moving the pack.





Comment by Raine on 03/24/2010 15:06:57
Comment by BobR on 03/24/2010 15:18:13
Quote by TriSec:

Question for the blog.



Can a family of 3 live in the NYC area on $85,000? (We can in Boston, very well. If only I was making that much.)



The job itself is in Manhattan.



Recruiter found my resume online and called me.



based on my experience moving to a more expensive area, the cost of rent and commuting will be higher. You might want to do a comparative budget for yourself and see. Other costs (like food, entertainment, etc) might be higher, but you can work around those by seeking out and finding cheaper options (we tend to find ours in the "ethnic" areas, particularly the hispanic and Asian grocery stores and farmer's markets).



Comment by wickedpam on 03/24/2010 15:31:29
Quote by Scoopster:

Morning all!



Freep this poll!!!






its already been Freeped

Comment by wickedpam on 03/24/2010 15:33:07
Quote by Raine:

Tri I think you can, but you would have to be willing to commute from say -- New Jersey. (it's not as bad as people think...)



This might help.









That should be NJ's tag line



New Jersey

It's not as bad as people think.






Comment by Raine on 03/24/2010 15:42:27
Quote by wickedpam:

Quote by Raine:

Tri I think you can, but you would have to be willing to commute from say -- New Jersey. (it's not as bad as people think...)



This might help.









That should be NJ's tag line



New Jersey

It's not as bad as people think.








Comment by livingonli on 03/24/2010 15:43:19
Good morning everyone. Another night where it took me forever to fall asleep. I really wish I could fall asleep at a semi-normal hour.

Comment by livingonli on 03/24/2010 15:45:05
Quote by wickedpam:

Quote by Raine:

Tri I think you can, but you would have to be willing to commute from say -- New Jersey. (it's not as bad as people think...)



This might help.









That should be NJ's tag line



New Jersey

It's not as bad as people think.






It only smells in some areas.

Comment by wickedpam on 03/24/2010 15:48:30
Raine & Bobber - there's a link on there somewhere to send a letter the the AG



VA Dems

Comment by Raine on 03/24/2010 16:02:05
Quote by wickedpam:

Raine & Bobber - there's a link on there somewhere to send a letter the the AG



VA Dems


oo00oo thanks...



I assume you saw this yesterday-- please feel free to pass this on: Call Cuccinelli

Comment by wickedpam on 03/24/2010 16:14:13
Quote by Raine:

Quote by wickedpam:

Raine & Bobber - there's a link on there somewhere to send a letter the the AG



VA Dems


oo00oo thanks...



I assume you saw this yesterday-- please feel free to pass this on: Call Cuccinelli






nice.

Comment by livingonli on 03/24/2010 16:15:18
Thom is talking about the teabaggers right now especially the rocks thrown at Democratic congress people's office.

Comment by Raine on 03/24/2010 16:21:42
In case you missed it:





Comment by TriSec on 03/24/2010 16:24:48
Ah, I've been meaning to post this for weeks.



You all know the "mothership" is in Freeport, Maine...right?



Anyway, our new graphic tees came in a while ago. When properly folded, they all read...."Freep".



It amuses me.



Comment by Raine on 03/24/2010 16:39:21
This guy thinks he had some kinda gotcha moment. ASS

Comment by Raine on 03/24/2010 17:35:00
Comment by wickedpam on 03/24/2010 17:39:01




forgive, nah, but he earns brownie points

Comment by Raine on 03/24/2010 17:42:51
Quote by wickedpam:





forgive, nah, but he earns brownie points
You're a tough sell, Mala...



Comment by wickedpam on 03/24/2010 17:53:27
Quote by Raine:

Quote by wickedpam:





forgive, nah, but he earns brownie points
You're a tough sell, Mala...









Comment by TriSec on 03/24/2010 18:37:53






Good Lord, the comments section!



(We have them here, too. I don't read or post on the Globe website anymore primarily because of that. WBZ seems to moderate the comments.)





Comment by TriSec on 03/24/2010 19:07:11
I gave up Martinis for Lent. I wonder if it will be warm enough to stand out back and smoke a robusto tonight? (I think it will be tomorrow...)





Comment by Raine on 03/24/2010 19:37:59
Quote by TriSec:







Good Lord, the comments section!



(We have them here, too. I don't read or post on the Globe website anymore primarily because of that. WBZ seems to moderate the comments.)





This one was particularly estupida:
All you legal eagles at the ajc, please tell me where in the United States Constitution does it state “that a citizen can be forced to purchase a product (health insurance) when it is against their religious beliefs?” I thought we had a bill of rights?






Comment by velveeta jones on 03/24/2010 19:48:19
Greetings and falu../salu.... value.....tations.... whatever. Hey all!

Comment by Raine on 03/24/2010 20:16:27
Scoop, I know you posted about this yesterday, so I am following up.



Isakson Not Expected Back This Week



Senator Isakson continues to feel better but doctors want him to remain in the hospital for at least a few more days while they try to determine the source of the bacterial infection,” Deputy Chief of Staff Joan Kirchner said in an e-mail. “Without knowing the specific cause, it will take longer to ensure that it is completely out of his system.”

Comment by Mondobubba on 03/24/2010 20:42:04
Quote by wickedpam:





forgive, nah, but he earns brownie points




What about me? I think Mala and I have about the same level of feelings about Cameron. Like Mala, not forgiven, but good on ya Jimmy.

Comment by Mondobubba on 03/24/2010 20:48:34
Quote by TriSec:

I don't think the Republicans will find quite the amount of anger the polls reflect.



Did you hear the story yesterday about how the numbers break down?



It's like 60% oppose, but only a minority of that truly oppose the bill; the balance of the number is folks on the left that are unhappy that it didn't go far enough.



Sure there will be battles in November, but if this takes hold and people really see the

benefits, that anger just won't be there.





48% totally for, 4% didn't go far enough, but still support. That is 52% shut the hell up GOP whiny bitches.

Comment by livingonli on 03/24/2010 21:06:02
I guess I am in the 4% now. But either way, the GOP is the insane asylum of America.

Comment by Mondobubba on 03/24/2010 21:06:14
Quote by TriSec:

Morning, folks.



Idle thought....the dozen or so Attorneys General that are filing suit....would that be the same states as the old Confederacy?



Come on guys, stop dicking around and just secede again, willya?



Don't let the door hit you on the ass on the way out.







Nebraska was not part of the old Confederacy, just the Confederacy of Dunces.

Comment by Raine on 03/24/2010 21:57:55
Quote by Mondobubba:

Quote by TriSec:

Morning, folks.



Idle thought....the dozen or so Attorneys General that are filing suit....would that be the same states as the old Confederacy?



Come on guys, stop dicking around and just secede again, willya?



Don't let the door hit you on the ass on the way out.







Nebraska was not part of the old Confederacy, just the Confederacy of Dunces.
That and I don;t wanna be a part of the secession/ I am sure that Mala stands with me.



Comment by trojanrabbit on 03/24/2010 22:46:03
Oily Taintz is at it again.



The Health Care bill is unconstitutional and will affect her ability to "practice" dentistry.



"VIOLATION OF COMMERCE CLAUSE AND OF PLAINTIFF'S RIGHTS TO GAINFUL EMPLOYMENT AS A DOCTOR OF DENTAL SURGERY UPON DEFENDANT'S IMMINENT SIGHNING OF THE HEALTH BILL"



Rights to gainful employment? O'rly?



"Health bill, as being prepared and reconciled, will create an enormous machine of governmental burocracy which will intrude into Plaintiff's practice, will affect her doctor-patient relations, will undermine her Hippocratic oath, will force her to ration medical care and de-facto deny medical care to elderly, whom some committees of burocrats will deem to be too old to receive such care, meaning too old to live."



Apparently she can't afford a spell checker, or it only speaks Birfese.



Of course no filing from Taintz is complete without asking that Obama release his birth certificate.



"Wherefore the Plaintiff seeks a writ of Mandamus, seeking release of the Defendant's vital records, such as his original birth certificate, his college and university enrollment records, social security application and passport application records to verify his legitimacy to sign Health Bill HR 3590 or HR 3962 or any other bill under the Natural Citizen requirement of the Article 2, Section 1 and seeking a declaratory relief deeming Health Bill HR 3590 and HR 3962 null and void as violating Commerce clause and not signed by a legitimate President of the United States"



The Stupid, IT BURNS!!!!!



Hopefully California gets their fat ass in gear and disbars this nut.

Comment by Mondobubba on 03/24/2010 22:57:40
Quote by trojanrabbit:

Oily Taintz is at it again.



The Health Care bill is unconstitutional and will affect her ability to "practice" dentistry.



"VIOLATION OF COMMERCE CLAUSE AND OF PLAINTIFF'S RIGHTS TO GAINFUL EMPLOYMENT AS A DOCTOR OF DENTAL SURGERY UPON DEFENDANT'S IMMINENT SIGHNING OF THE HEALTH BILL"



Rights to gainful employment? O'rly?



"Health bill, as being prepared and reconciled, will create an enormous machine of governmental burocracy which will intrude into Plaintiff's practice, will affect her doctor-patient relations, will undermine her Hippocratic oath, will force her to ration medical care and de-facto deny medical care to elderly, whom some committees of burocrats will deem to be too old to receive such care, meaning too old to live."



Apparently she can't afford a spell checker, or it only speaks Birfese.



Of course no filing from Taintz is complete without asking that Obama release his birth certificate.



"Wherefore the Plaintiff seeks a writ of Mandamus, seeking release of the Defendant's vital records, such as his original birth certificate, his college and university enrollment records, social security application and passport application records to verify his legitimacy to sign Health Bill HR 3590 or HR 3962 or any other bill under the Natural Citizen requirement of the Article 2, Section 1 and seeking a declaratory relief deeming Health Bill HR 3590 and HR 3962 null and void as violating Commerce clause and not signed by a legitimate President of the United States"



The Stupid, IT BURNS!!!!!



Hopefully California gets their fat ass in gear and disbars this nut.




:sprays TR with anti-stupid foam, wraps him in blanket: Deep cleansing breaths now, okay? It will be okay.

Comment by Mondobubba on 03/24/2010 22:59:02
Quote by Raine:

Quote by Mondobubba:

Quote by TriSec:

Morning, folks.



Idle thought....the dozen or so Attorneys General that are filing suit....would that be the same states as the old Confederacy?



Come on guys, stop dicking around and just secede again, willya?



Don't let the door hit you on the ass on the way out.







Nebraska was not part of the old Confederacy, just the Confederacy of Dunces.
That and I don;t wanna be a part of the secession/ I am sure that Mala stands with me.





Move to Maryland. It's sane across the Potomac. Downtown Silver Spring and Tokoma Park are very nice. Just sayin...Close to the Metro, Bob's commute wouldn't change that much.

Comment by trojanrabbit on 03/24/2010 23:02:07
Hey, it's all right. The guy who threw the money at the man suffering from Parkinson's is sorry (there were cameras around and he got caught).

Comment by TriSec on 03/25/2010 00:44:31
I am now scanning my computer for viruses. A number of infected files.



Freakin' Buttbook.







Comment by Mondobubba on 03/25/2010 00:49:13
Quote by TriSec:

I am now scanning my computer for viruses. A number of infected files.



Freakin' Buttbook.









Do you have your computer set up so the anti-virus definitions are automatically updated?

Comment by livingonli on 03/25/2010 02:21:38
Quote by Mondobubba:

Quote by trojanrabbit:

Oily Taintz is at it again.



The Health Care bill is unconstitutional and will affect her ability to "practice" dentistry.



"VIOLATION OF COMMERCE CLAUSE AND OF PLAINTIFF'S RIGHTS TO GAINFUL EMPLOYMENT AS A DOCTOR OF DENTAL SURGERY UPON DEFENDANT'S IMMINENT SIGHNING OF THE HEALTH BILL"



Rights to gainful employment? O'rly?



"Health bill, as being prepared and reconciled, will create an enormous machine of governmental burocracy which will intrude into Plaintiff's practice, will affect her doctor-patient relations, will undermine her Hippocratic oath, will force her to ration medical care and de-facto deny medical care to elderly, whom some committees of burocrats will deem to be too old to receive such care, meaning too old to live."



Apparently she can't afford a spell checker, or it only speaks Birfese.



Of course no filing from Taintz is complete without asking that Obama release his birth certificate.



"Wherefore the Plaintiff seeks a writ of Mandamus, seeking release of the Defendant's vital records, such as his original birth certificate, his college and university enrollment records, social security application and passport application records to verify his legitimacy to sign Health Bill HR 3590 or HR 3962 or any other bill under the Natural Citizen requirement of the Article 2, Section 1 and seeking a declaratory relief deeming Health Bill HR 3590 and HR 3962 null and void as violating Commerce clause and not signed by a legitimate President of the United States"



The Stupid, IT BURNS!!!!!



Hopefully California gets their fat ass in gear and disbars this nut.




:sprays TR with anti-stupid foam, wraps him in blanket: Deep cleansing breaths now, okay? It will be okay.


That thing should be laughed out of the courts just for all the spelling errors. Where did she get her law degree anyway?