Daily Rant – August 17, 2009
August 17, 2009
Obama gets tough on the budget today, but only with defense spending. He says if it doesn’t work, the program will be cut. We’re not spending that much now to defend our country compared to other expenditures where waste happens. In fact, if we cut the fraud and waste in the food stamp program alone we probably could double the defense budget and still come out ahead! What a great American. I don’t know about you, but I am sick of this guy.
I don’t remember when a president was on television so much or making speeches or even going to other countries. Who is running the country, really? He’s spending about as much time in the oval office as he did when he was in the senate. Permanently in campaign mode. It’s probably a rope-a-dope in that while we are looking one way at Obama, the real people running the country are over there actually making policy.
Health care for free? That’s what Obama is promising. Think about it. We’re broke now. Being over 11 trillion dollars in debt, where is the money coming from? They are going to make the rich pay for it, right?
For some reason, they are trying to redefine health care as a right, rather than a privilege. Here’s the problem with that. A right is something that comes to you FREE from a higher power that doesn’t require some sacrifice from another person to get it. Life would be one. Speech would be another as long as you don’t shout fire in a crowded theater that results in harming another person. But health care costs something, and someone has to pay for it. So it is not a right. The way Obama sees it, that rich person on the hill needs to fork over the money to pay for someone’s health coverage. This would make it a privilege. Get it straight.
You may have noticed a speed increase from this website. Our old service just wasn’t cutting it so over the weekend I had our web developer move the site to another hosting service. What a change. It’s like night and day. We hope you enjoy it.
- FedUpEditor
Alan Keyes on Obama
August 17, 2009
Daily Rant – August 15, 2009
August 15, 2009
I skipped writing yesterday because I am having server problems. We are in the process of dumping my current ISP and moving to a faster service. You won’t notice the difference, but I certainly will. I have had many fast CGI errors just trying to view the website, let alone editing posts.
The media should be ashamed for pushing propaganda for Obama and the Democrat party. For example their reports are biased when they say protesters are crashing town hall meetings. For God’s sake, the town halls are for EVERYONE, not just proponents!
Pelosi is using our money to buy more jets for Congress because there occasionally isn’t one available when she needs to fly home every weekend. I thought she was trying to save the planet. Why not drive instead of fly? And use a Prius while you’re at it, Nancy. Of course, I am being facetious, but while we are being asked to cut back during the recession, the only ones not doing this is the blasted government. Talk about hypocrites!
A word about the Southern Poverty Law Center… talk about fueling racial strife. Take a look at their website and you will see why I say this. They are suppressors of free speech to the nth degree. They have a “take action” page to silence Lou Dobbs as a racist and hate monger. Nothing could be further from the truth. So I posted a message supporting him, and I was told they do not post comments that they feel do not fit their agenda. Typical liberals. Keep running the numbers until they come out the way you want them to. That way they can show solidarity by only posting comments that fit their racist, hate-filled agenda.
Socialism is the new “n” word. This is the new accusation which is aimed at stifling free speech. If I want to use the “n” word, I will use the “n” word. But when I use the words “socialist” or “socialism” I do NOT mean the same thing. Don’t let Obama supporters fool you into redefining words for us. Where did this start because Obama is a socialist and he is black? Lyndon Johnson was a socialist and was white, so would that mean that socialist is also the “h” word? (Honky, in case you’re wondering!)
It’s about character, not characters. I watch television and the celebrity of people is on parade. Character is what you do when people are not watching. Characters make it onto television shows all the time. Character can not be bought. Characters can. Tattoos, piercings, weird hair cuts, strange clothes, etc. can all be bought and do not require character to purchase. Doing esteem-able acts is how you show character and rarely does it show up on television! If it does, it is demonized as in the case of Joe the Plumber.
What liberalism is about is power. Look at higher taxation. It has been proven that raising taxes does not earn the government more money. In fact, tax receipts go up if government lowers taxes. The reason is simple. Lower taxes let people keep more of their money which they use to expand their businesses and hire people who then pay taxes. It expands the pie. This is conservatism at its core. Higher taxati0n is about control.
Look at the Cash for Clunkers program. Democrats take a certain amount in taxes and give it back to “certain” people who qualify for the program AND who purchase certain type of vehicle, one THEY consider appropriate. What else is that but control? In a sense it is a tax cut, but is targeted to make people behave a certain way; buy a Prius and turn in a Cadillac, for example. But what people fail to realize that even though it boosts the auto industry’s sales, money is not being spent in other areas. So the net result is the same to the economy. A stagnant pie. A certain amount of money in and same amount of money out. In fact, less money is going out because of the bureaucracy and red tape that is involved in doing business with the government. Of course, economists might say those bureaucrats who get a paycheck for running the program turn around and buy things. But again, the pie does not expand because nothing of value is created. Certain amount of money in and same amount of money out.
Look at the solar energy program. We purchased solar panels because it was supposed to lower our electricity bills significantly. However, as you find when you do business with the government, there are strings attached. First, we are being billed like a business where electricity used between noon and six p.m. costs significantly more than that used at other times. Another limit on freedom. Second, the cost of adding solar was large! We will not break even on the cost of the installation from our energy savings for 5-10 years. We’ll probably move before then! Again, it is a scam. If solar worked it would not have to be subsidized by the government. It would thrive on its own.
I have a beef with a company called Solar Universe who advertises on a local radio station. They claim two things that are simply lies. First, they say if you install their system you won’t get a bill from PG&E. Second, they claim they will have your electric meter running backward in no time. As a rational human being I KNOW this is just advertising bull but what about those California educated graduates who sue for the most trivial of things? Aren’t they being misled? It would be nice to see a solar company get sued for a change rather than energy companies who are the only ones who can solve the energy crisis.
And what about these new electric cars (Chevy Volt, for example) that need to be plugged in to get 250 miles to the gallon? If even a small number of drivers switch to these vehicles, it will put a huge strain on our already inefficient power grid. California often has brown outs in the summer months when people use their air conditioning. What will happen when everyone is plugging in their vehicle every night?
Finally, you union workers better wake up. I realize I am expecting a lot from a group of people who have given up their autonomy to join a group to bargain on their behalf. But I know union members are hard workers and their leadership are a bunch of con artists. What else would you call a union official who tells his minions to go out and support this health care bill? Do they not know if it passes they will be some of the first to lose their excellent benefits? Do they realize the leaders are sending them like lemmings off the health care cliff? WAKE UP! Your union officials are selling you down the river by making a deal with the Obama administration. Conservatives are on your side.
- FedUpEditor
Obama Lie Exposed, He’s Plotting to Change Senate Rules to Ram Through Plan
August 14, 2009
Obama and the Democrats know they no longer have the 60 votes to pass the radical health plan in the Senate.
We are told they are working behind the scenes to change long-standing Senate rules so that they can pass their health plan with just 50 votes!
This is again a desperate measure and an attempt to subvert our democratic and constitutional system.
I can assure you the League of American Voters is working day and night to stop Obama’s plan. We are also preparing for contingencies. When Congress returns after Labor Day, we must line up all our forces for the final battle.
I realize many people are on vacation or feel confident we can defeat Obama’s plan. Please don’t fall victim to overconfidence. It is critically important that you join with the League of American Voters today and help us defeat Obama.
Thank you.
Sincerely,
Bob Adams
Executive Director
Two Bad Ideas – Energy Tax to Pay For Health Care
August 13, 2009
Our economy is in trouble and all they want to do is TAX. – FedUpEditor
Stop Obama’s Energy Tax For Heath Care
80% of the ENERGY TAX INCREASE is slated for the General Federal Budget. Just 20% of the Increased Energy Tax Revenue is directed at Obama’s green economy and jobs.
The Obama Health Care Tax scam will cost billions and a new revenue source is needed according to Obama Treasury Sec. Geithner who didn’t rule out new taxes as a means to do so.Timothy Geithner said when asked if new taxes were likely ”what the country needs to do is understand we’re going to have to do what it takes, we’re going to do what’s necessary.”
The Obama administration tax increase plan strategy includes an Energy Report it issued that contains no new research intentionally scaring the public with the grimmest, most urgent language on climate change ever to come out of any White House. False computer simulations about rising sea levels, sweltering temperatures, deeper droughts, and heavier downpours — blaming carbon for global warming’s alleged serious effects and lying to the country to collect the Obama “Energy Tax”. The House rushed a bill through before going on vacation and the Senate expects to do the same.
But was the report complete? Did it have all the relevant data? NO!!!
Get Ready Now with the Senate Million Fax Campaign –
The Obama-Pelosi-Reid Bill Strategy (Obama PR-BS) is dumping unfinished bills without notice or time to read the details on the House and Senate floor for votes. We must STOP Obama PR-BS and get ready for the Senate Fight. To do this we want to have 1 Million Faxes ready to go and everyone ready to call their Senators.
OBAMA’S reckless promise to get elected now appears to be just another Obama lie when he said “I pledge. No family making less than $250,000 a year will see any form of tax increase.” Not your income tax, not your payroll tax, not your capital gains taxes, not any of your taxes.”
Select Below STOP THE OBAMA “Energy Tax” Bill NOW!
FAX All Senators Tell Them To STOP Obama’s “Energy Tax”!
https://secure.conservativedonations.com/ameripac_greentax_dc/?a=2852�
Sen. James Inhofe, R-Okla has ordered an investigation into the Environmental Protection Agency’s alleged suppression of a 98-page report, co-authored by EPA analyst Alan Carlin that questioned the science behind global warming.
The report details how regulating gases like carbon dioxide WILL NOT reduce global warming. Carlin’s report states that the information the EPA is using is out of date, and that even as atmospheric carbon dioxide levels have increased, global temperatures have declined.
Inhofe said “He (Carlin) came out with the truth. They don’t want the truth at the EPA,” he’s ordered an investigation. “We’re going to expose it.”
Carbon Dioxide DOES NOT Cause Global Warming
The UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPPC) Data
The Truth For seven and a half years, is that global temperatures have been falling rapidly. The UN IPCC’s predicted warm ing path (pink region) bears no relation to the global cooling data that the IPCC has observed in the 21st century to date. Source: SPPI global temperature index.
Carbon Dioxide (CO2) Is Food For Plants not “Air Pollutant”
CO2 is not an “air pollutant,” but rather food for plants and marine life. And its atmospheric levels are controlled by temperature and other biological/chemical variables — not the other way around (Just as: Lung Cancer does not cause smoking). But most of all, a magical CO2 knob for controlling weather and climate simply does not exist.
The possible effect that forcing down CO2 levels may have on plants by reducing the food supply are catastrophic.
WHY BLAME CARBON DIOXIDE?
The Answer:
Democrats Are Using The Carbon Lie To Raise Taxes
WITHOUT CARBON DIOXIDE TO BLAME THE OBAMA’S TAX INCREASE OF HISTORIC PROPORTIONS EVERYONE MUST PAY WHEN THEY FLIP ON A LIGHT SWITCH IS NOT NECESSARY
Turning on the Light = Cap and Trade = Democrat Tax Increase
Pelos i and the Democrats ignored American voters and listened to Obama and Gore as they lobbied for and passed the biggest tax increase in history that is estimated to increase energy costs per family by $1,600 to $3,200 each year.
Obama promised over and over that he would cut taxes for the 95% of Americans making less than $250,000 per year during the campaign last year, in the debates, in speeches and now he lobbied for and got step one of his historic regressive tax increase on 100% of America, even those not paying income tax.
Obama Campaigned On False Pretenses And Must Be Stopped.
He pledged that his tax increases would only apply to the top 5% of Americans making over $250,000. Yet Obama fully supported passage of the House “Energy TAX” bill that taxes everyone that just flips on a light switch.
STOP Obama PR-BS and get ready for the Senate Fight.
Select Below STOP THE OBAMA “Energy Tax” Bill NOW!
FAX All Senators Tell Them To STOP Obama’s “Energy Tax”!
https://secure.conservativedonations.com/ameripac_greentax_dc/?a=2852
OBAMA ALREADY LOBBYING THE SENATE
President Obama called on senators to disregard what he called the “misinformation” offered by critics of his energy bill, which passed the House of Representatives late Friday night despite GOP predictions that it will further damage the economy.
“We must not be prisoners of the past,” he said in his radio and Internet address. “Don’t believe the misinformation out there that suggests there is somehow a contradiction between investing in clean energy and economic growth. It’s just not true.”
Democrats pushing the bill have admitted that the total tax costs per family will increase. But the whole purpose of the bill is to raise the price of using carbon-based energy to reduce its use, 17% by 2020 and 83% by 2050. That is probably going to require even more than $3,000 per family per year.
Obama’s Carbon Disaster
Obama fanatically believes in a carbon disaster and The Great Energy Lie – that Energy Emissions Cause Global Warming. Obama ignores sound science and the United Nations own data that the earth has been in a 10 year cooling period said of the bill’s passage “There is no longer a debate about whether carbon pollution is placing our planet in jeopardy. It’s happening.”
The bill will also result in millions of lost jobs and a weakened economy due to high cost energy. Remaining manufacturing in America will flee overseas. The coal industry will be phased out.
China Rejects “Energy Tax” bill will not reduce global warming
Obama is on his own as countries around the world such as France, Poland, Australia, the C zech Republic, and New Zealand are turning against the cap-and-trade “Energy Tax” regressive policies for their own countries, and China that Obama is borrowing 50 cents of every dollar he spend from and India have rejected the idea for their emerging economies all along.
Even global warming advocates admit that the bill passed by the House will have no significant effect in reducing global warming, despite all of its costs for the America people.
With these and other developments on the horizon Obama is poised to break the central promise of his campaign, which took him straight to the White House. Did Obama win last year on false pretenses? Perhaps he might remember this cautionary tale: When the first President Bush broke his campaign pledge not to raise taxes in 1990, he was booted out in the next election.
WE ARE GETTING READY TO FAX to EACH AND EVERY Senator as soon as Reid calls for a cloture vote. And will fax continuously to be heard. Be sure to send this Alert to EVERYONE you know who wants to help FORCE our government to STOP the EXCUSES and Save Taxpayers Not Spend More and Raise Taxes!
STOP Obama PR-BS and get ready for the Senate Fight.
Select Below STOP THE OBAMA “Energy Tax” Bill NOW!
FAX All Senators Tell Them To STOP Obama’s “Energy Tax”!
https://secure.conservativedonations.com/ameripac_greentax_dc/?a=2852
Keep calling your Congressmen today, toll free numbers include 1-877-851-6437 and 1-866-220-0044, or call toll 1-202-225-3121 AND REGISTER YOUR OUTRAGE at expanding the Obama Green Energy Tax Bill!
CALL PRESIDENT OBAMA 202-456-1111 and 202-456-1414 expressing your outrage at incompetence in wasting tax dollars to increase energy costs.
DO NOT BE SIL ENCED – MAKE YOUR VOICE HEARD!
NOTE: We need TENS OF THOUSANDS of faxes and PHONE CALLS and EMAILS delivered to ALL Congressmen right away!
Your voice can be heard – we need your urgent help at AmeriPAC.
Even smaller donations are going to help.
Any amount – $1000, $500, $250, or even $100 will help us fight the battle in Congress to tell Congress about the “Green Energy Tax Bill”. It’s time we stood up and said enough is enough! Please join us with your AmeriPAC donation TODAY. Thank you.
For more information, visit www.ameripac.org
Defend America,
Alan Gottlieb
AmeriPAC
President and Founder
www.Ameripac.org
Daily Rant – August 13, 2009
August 13, 2009
After reading all the information about the house health care bill, who is going to benefit from it? After all, Obama has demonized doctors and insurance companies. The plan will limit care for seniors and take money away from Medicare and Medicaid. Union workers will lose their private health insurance for the government plan. And it will be paid for by taxes on successful small businesses. Who is left?
For one, illegal aliens will benefit. Although they pay noting into the system because many are on a cash basis and don’t file with the IRS, they will be sucking money out in unlimited benefits. Government will also benefit in that this will create many more public sector union jobs.
The more I find out about its provisions, the more convinced I am that a communist wrote it… Rahm Emmanuel’s brother. Fortunately people in this country recognize a bad deal when they see one. I guess we need to work harder in the schools to dumb down everyone a little bit more so they can slip this by the people!
- FedUpEditor
EVALUATION of The Health Care Bill – URGENT!
August 13, 2009
From John David Lewis at classicalideals.com on our health care bill pending before congress. Proponents keep saying there are lies being spread about this fiasco. Seems to me, nobody has to lie to make it sound bad. It is bad! – FedUpEditor
The Health Care Bill: What HR 3200, ‘‘America’s Affordable Health Choices Act of 2009,”
Says John David Lewis
August 6, 2009
What does the bill, HR 3200, short-titled ‘‘America’s Affordable Health Choices Act of 2009,” actually say about major health care issues? I here pose a few questions in no particular order, citing relevant passages and offering a brief evaluation after each set of passages.
This bill is 1017 pages long. It is knee-deep in legalese and references to other federal regulations and laws. I have only touched pieces of the bill here. For instance, I have not considered the establishment of (1) “Health Choices Commissio0ner” (Section 141); (2) a “Health Insurance Exchange,” (Section 201), basically a government run insurance scheme to coordinate all insurance activity; (3) a Public Health Insurance Option (Section 221); and similar provisions.
This is the evaluation of someone who is neither a physician nor a legal professional. I am citizen, concerned about this bill’s effects on my freedom as an American. I would rather have used my time in other ways—but this is too important to ignore.
We may answer one question up front: How will the government will pay for all this? Higher taxes, more borrowing, printing money, cutting payments, or rationing services—there are no other options. We will all pay for this, enrolled in the government “option” or not.
(All bold type within the text of the bill is added for emphasis.)
WILL THE PLAN RATION MEDICAL CARE?
This is what the bill says, pages 284-288, SEC. 1151. REDUCING POTENTIALLY PREVENTABLE HOSPITAL READMISSIONS: ‘(ii) EXCLUSION OF CERTAIN READMISSIONS.—For purposes of clause (i), with respect to a hospital, excess readmissions shall not include readmissions for an applicable condition for which there are fewer than a minimum number (as determined by the Secretary) of discharges for such applicable condition for the applicable period and such hospital.
and, under “Definitions”:
‘‘(A) APPLICABLE CONDITION.—The term ‘applicable condition’ means, subject to subparagraph (B), a condition or procedure selected by the Secretary . . .
and:
‘‘(E) READMISSION.—The term ‘readmission’ means, in the case of an individual who is discharged from an applicable hospital, the admission of the individual to the same or another applicable hospital within a time period specified by the Secretary from the date of such discharge.
and:
‘‘(6) LIMITATIONS ON REVIEW.—There shall be no administrative or judicial review under section 1869, section 1878, or otherwise of— . . .
‘‘(C) the measures of readmissions . . .
EVALUATION OF THE PASSAGES:
- This section amends the Social Security Act
- The government has the power to determine what constitutes an “applicable [medical] condition.”
- The government has the power to determine who is allowed readmission into a hospital.
- This determination will be made by statistics: when enough people have been discharged for the same condition, an individual may be readmitted.
- This is government rationing, pure, simple, and straight up.
- There can be no judicial review of decisions made here. The Secretary is above the courts.
- The plan also allows the government to prohibit hospitals from expanding without federal permission: page 317-318.
Will the plan punish Americans who try to opt out?
What the bill says, pages 167-168, section 401, TAX ON INDIVIDUALS WITHOUT ACCEPTABLE HEALTH CARE COVERAGE:
‘‘(a) TAX IMPOSED.—In the case of any individual who does not meet the requirements of subsection (d) at any time during the taxable year, there is hereby imposed a tax equal to 2.5 percent of the excess of—
- the taxpayer’s modified adjusted gross income for the taxable year, over
- the amount of gross income specified in section 6012(a)(1) with respect to the taxpayer. . . .”\
EVALUATION OF THE PASSAGE:
- This section amends the Internal Revenue Code.
- Anyone caught without acceptable coverage and not in the government plan will pay a special tax.
- The IRS will be a major enforcement mechanism for the plan.
what constitutes “acceptable” coverage?
Here is what the bill says, pages 26-30, SEC. 122, ESSENTIAL BENEFITS PACKAGE DEFINED:
(a) IN GENERAL.—In this division, the term ‘‘essential benefits package’’ means health benefits coverage, consistent with standards adopted under section 124 to ensure the provision of quality health care and financial security . . .
(b) MINIMUM SERVICES TO BE COVERED.—The items and services described in this subsection are the following:
- Hospitalization.
- Outpatient hospital and outpatient clinic services . . .
- Professional services of physicians and other health professionals.
- Such services, equipment, and supplies incident to the services of a physician’s or a health professional’s delivery of care . . .
- Prescription drugs.
- Rehabilitative and habilitative services.
- Mental health and substance use disorder services.
- Preventive services . . .
- Maternity care.
- Well baby and well child care . . .
(c) REQUIREMENTS RELATING TO COST-SHARING AND MINIMUM ACTUARIAL VALUE . . .
(3) MINIMUM ACTUARIAL VALUE.—
(A) IN GENERAL.—The cost-sharing under the essential benefits package shall be designed to provide a level of coverage that is designed to provide benefits that are actuarially equivalent to approximately 70 percent of the full actuarial value of the benefits provided under the reference benefits package described in subparagraph (B).
EVALUATION OF THE PASSAGES:
- The bill defines “acceptable coverage” and leaves no room for choice in this regard.
- By setting a minimum 70% actuarial value of benefits, the bill makes health plans in which individuals pay for routine services, but carry insurance only for catastrophic events, (such as Health Savings Accounts) illegal
Will the PLAN destroy private health insurance?
Here is what it requires, for businesses with payrolls greater than $400,000 per year. (The bill uses “contribution” to refer to mandatory payments to the government plan.) Pages 149-150, SEC. 313, EMPLOYER CONTRIBUTIONS IN LIEU OF COVERAGE
(a) IN GENERAL.—A contribution is made in accordance with this section with respect to an employee if such contribution is equal to an amount equal to 8 percent of the average wages paid by the employer during the period of enrollment (determined by taking into account all employees of the employer and in such manner as the Commissioner provides, including rules providing for the appropriate aggregation of related employers). Any such contribution—
- shall be paid to the Health Choices Commissioner for deposit into the Health Insurance Exchange Trust Fund, and
- shall not be applied against the premium of the employee under the Exchange-participating health benefits plan in which the employee is enrolled.
(The bill then includes a sliding scale of payments for business with less than $400,000 in annual payroll.)
The Bill also reserves, for the government, the power to determine an acceptable benefits plan: page 24, SEC. 115. ENSURING ADEQUACY OF PROVIDER NETWORKS.
5 (a) IN GENERAL.—A qualified health benefits plan that uses a provider network for items and services shall meet such standards respecting provider networks as the Commissioner may establish to assure the adequacy of such networks in ensuring enrollee access to such items and services and transparency in the cost-sharing differentials between in-network coverage and out-of-network coverage.
EVALUATION OF THE PASSAGES:
- The bill does not prohibit a person from buying private insurance.
- Small businesses—with say 8-10 employees—will either have to provide insurance to federal standards, or pay an 8% payroll tax. Business costs for health care are higher than this, especially considering administrative costs. Any competitive business that tries to stay with a private plan will face a payroll disadvantage against competitors who go with the government “option.”
- The pressure for business owners to terminate the private plans will be enormous.
- With employers ending plans, millions of Americans will lose their private coverage, and fewer companies will offer it.
- The Commissioner (meaning, always, the bureaucrats) will determine whether a particular network of physicians, hospitals and insurance is acceptable.
- With private insurance starved, many people enrolled in the government “option” will have no place else to go.
Does the plan TAX successful Americans more THAN OTHERS?
Here is what the bill says, pages 197-198, SEC. 441. SURCHARGE ON HIGH INCOME INDIVIDUALS
‘‘SEC. 59C. SURCHARGE ON HIGH INCOME INDIVIDUALS.
‘‘(a) GENERAL RULE.—In the case of a taxpayer other than a corporation, there is hereby imposed (in addition to any other tax imposed by this subtitle) a tax equal to—
- 1 percent of so much of the modified adjusted gross income of the taxpayer as exceeds $350,000 but does not exceed $500,000,
- 1.5 percent of so much of the modified adjusted gross income of the taxpayer as exceeds $500,000 but does not exceed $1,000,000, and
- 5.4 percent of so much of the modified adjusted gross income of the taxpayer as exceeds $1,000,000.
EVALUATION OF THE PASSAGE:
- This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code.
- Tax surcharges are levied on those with the highest incomes.
- The plan manipulates the tax code to redistribute their wealth.
- Successful business owners will bear the highest cost of this plan.
Does THE PLAN ALLOW THE GOVERNMENT TO set FEES FOR SERVICES?
What it says, page 124, Sec. 223, PAYMENT RATES FOR ITEMS AND SERVICES:
(d) CONSTRUCTION.—Nothing in this subtitle shall be construed as limiting the Secretary’s authority to correct for payments that are excessive or deficient, taking into account the provisions of section 221(a) and the amounts paid for similar health care providers and services under other Exchange-participating health benefits plans.
(e) CONSTRUCTION.—Nothing in this subtitle shall be construed as affecting the authority of the Secretary to establish payment rates, including payments to provide for the more efficient delivery of services, such as the initiatives provided for under section 224.
EVALUATION OF THE PASSAGES:
The government’s authority to set payments is basically unlimited.
- The official will decide what constitutes “excessive,” “deficient,” and “efficient” payments and services.
Will THE PLAN increase the power of government officials to SCRUTINIZE our private affairs?
What it says, pages 195-196, SEC. 431. DISCLOSURES TO CARRY OUT HEALTH INSURANCE EXCHANGE SUBSIDIES.
‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary, upon written request from the Health Choices Commissioner or the head of a State-based health insurance exchange approved for operation under section 208 of the America’s Affordable Health Choices Act of 2009, shall disclose to officers and employees of the Health Choices Administration or such State-based health insurance exchange, as the case may be, return information of any taxpayer whose income is relevant in determining any affordability credit described in subtitle C of title II of the America’s Affordable Health Choices Act of 2009. Such return information shall be limited to—
‘‘(i) taxpayer identity information with respect to such taxpayer,
‘‘(ii) the filing status of such taxpayer,
‘‘(iii) the modified adjusted gross income of such taxpayer (as defined in section 59B(e)(5)),
‘‘(iv) the number of dependents of the taxpayer,
‘‘(v) such other information as is prescribed by the Secretary by regulation as might indicate whether the taxpayer is eligible for such affordability credits (and the amount thereof), and
‘‘(vi) the taxable year with respect to which the preceding information relates or, if applicable, the fact that such information is not available.
And, page 145, section 312, EMPLOYER RESPONSIBILITY TO CONTRIBUTE TOWARDS EMPLOYEE AND DEPENDENT COVERAGE:
(3) PROVISION OF INFORMATION.—The employer provides the Health Choices Commissioner, the Secretary of Labor, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, and the Secretary of the Treasury, as applicable, with such information as the Commissioner may require to ascertain compliance with the requirements of this section.
EVALUATION OF THE PASSAGE:
- This section amends the Internal Revenue Code
- The bill opens up income tax return information to federal officials.
- Any stated “limits” to such information are circumvented by item (v), which allows federal officials to decide what information is needed.
- Employers are required to report whatever information the government says it needs to enforce the plan.
Does the plan automatically enroll Americans in the GOVERNMENT plan?
What it says, page 102, Section 205, Outreach and enrollment of Exchange-eligible individuals and employers in Exchange-participating health benefits plan:
(3) AUTOMATIC ENROLLMENT OF MEDICAID ELIGIBLE INDIVIDUALS INTO MEDICAID.—The Commissioner shall provide for a process under which an individual who is described in section 202(d)(3) and has not elected to enroll in an Exchange-participating health benefits plan is automatically enrolled under Medicaid.
And, page 145, section 312:
(4) AUTOENROLLMENT OF EMPLOYEES.—The employer provides for autoenrollment of the employee in accordance with subsection (c).
EVALUATION OF THE PASSAGES:
- Do nothing and you are in.
- Employers are responsible for automatically enrolling people who still work
Does THE PLAN exempt federal OFFICIALS from COURT REVIEW?
What it says, page 124, Section 223, PAYMENT RATES FOR ITEMS AND SERVICES:
(f) LIMITATIONS ON REVIEW.—There shall be no administrative or judicial review of a payment rate or methodology established under this section or under section 224.
And, page 256, SEC. 1123. PAYMENTS FOR EFFICIENT AREAS.
‘‘(C) LIMITATION ON REVIEW.—There shall be no administrative or judicial review under section 1869, 1878, or otherwise, respecting—
‘‘(i) the identification of a county or other area under subparagraph (A); or
‘‘(ii) the assignment of a postal ZIP Code to a county or other area under subparagraph (B).
EVALUATION OF THE PASSAGES:
- Sec. 1123 amends the Social Security Act, to allow the Secretary to identify areas of the country that underutilize the government’s plan “based on per capita spending.”
- Parts of the plan are set above the review of the courts.
WOW! If this doesn’t scare you, then you have been Obamatized!
Support Trey Grayson
August 11, 2009
Kentucky is about to lose a conservative Republican in the next election as Jim Bunning decides to retire. Trey Grayson is his replacement who is currently in that state’s government. Support him if you can. We need as many conservatives as we can get. – FedUpEditor
Friends,
Senator Jim Bunning has decided against seeking re-election next fall. He served us well in Kentucky, always standing on principle and never failing to stand up for taxpayers against the big spenders in Washington.
I’m very proud of all that Senator Bunning has done for our Commonwealth. I know that his departure leaves a void of true conservatives in Washington, and it presents a real challenge for you and me.
Very soon I will formally announce my candidacy for U.S. Senate, and I will be a true conservative like Senator Bunning and Senator McConnell. In fact, I recently took a stand against the confirmation of Judge Sonia Sotomayor to a lifetime appointment to the U.S. Supreme Court.
Washington liberals continue to advocate an explosion in federal spending and government control of all aspects of our lives, including our health care. Since President Obama took office America has run up $1.3 trillion in debt – a figure as staggering as it is unsustainable.
I am committed to fighting against an agenda that cripples our economy and puts the health care you currently enjoy at risk. You can count on me to stand up for a health care plan that you can choose and that you can afford, and when we’re finished, a government you can afford too.
Kentucky is a top target for the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee led by notable liberals like Harry Reid, Christopher Dodd and Chuck Schumer . They would like nothing more than to add to their 60-seat, filibuster-proof majority by taking over this seat that is currently held by a conservative Republican.
As you may recall, liberal leaders in Washington spent millions in 2008 trying to defeat Senator Mitch McConnell. Friends like you helped return Senator McConnell to the Senate where he is leading the charge against unprecedented levels of government spending and exploding deficits.
I am reaching out to you today for your help.
It is vitally important that we keep Kentucky’s Senate seat in conservative hands. We need a responsible, common sense conservative in Washington who can fight against this liberal onslaught that we’re experiencing and who can get things done for Kentucky.
As your Secretary of State for the last six years I have been able to:
- Operate my office on a 10% smaller budget despite increased responsibilities
- Quickly react to fight voter fraud and corruption in elections
- Reduce the amount of time and paperwork required to start a business
- Make my office more open and accessible to citizens
- Voluntarily become the first state agency to post expenditures online so taxpayers can see how their money is spent
I will oppose the liberals’ agenda of higher taxes and more government spending. I will fight against the “cap-and-trade” policy that will mean higher utility rates for every Kentuckian. Instead, I believe we should cap government spending and trade the liberal leadership in Washington for common sense conservatives who will stand up for our Kentucky values.
Please join my team today to help me kick-off my campaign for U.S. Senate.
Your contribution will help me activate our already extensive network of grassroots activists by allowing us to print campaign materials and run advertisements on television and radio.
With your help I can begin my campaign today to turn back the liberal agenda in Washington. Simply put, we must do all we can right now to stop the out-of-control government spending and increased debt that will burden our children and grandchildren for generations to come.
Please make a contribution to my campaign today.
Thank you for your encouragement and support.
Sincerely,
Trey Grayson
Kenneth Gladney Interview
August 10, 2009
Daily Rant – Part 2, August 10, 2009
August 10, 2009
Regardless of what political persuasion Kenneth Gladney is, does he deserve getting acosted by union members and beat up because of his beliefs? I frankly don’t care what party he is registered with (but we’d love to have him as a conservative Republican), but he was a guy out in St. Louis trying to make a little money selling buttons and such. Along comes a SEIC union employee who was brought in to support Obama’s health care plan and started wailing on Mr. Gladney. This is still America (for now), and Gladney had the right to assemble. I think it is sad that police couldn’t protect this man. Fortunately he has an attorney. This is one time I will support one of those guys! Guess we may need them afterall!
Here is the link to the Ann Coulter interview he did on Fox.
- FedUpEditor
