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DOA
Author: BobR
Date: 03/15/2017 15:24:58
For years, Republicans have been deriding the ACA (AKA: ObamaCare). They claim that it has been a disaster, that it needs to be repealed and replaced with a better program. This has been their campaign issue for years, and tRump picked it up and ran with it. Now that they have a chance to make good on their blather, they seem curiously unprepared.
When the ACA was originally being crafted and debated, there were a lot of compromises that needed to be made, due to the delicate majorities the Dems had in Congress (including Democratic senators from essentially red states), and the powerful insurance company lobbies. The biggest disappointment on the left was the lack of a "public option" (insurance provided by the government, such as the ability to "buy into" Medicare). The biggest aggravation on the right was the mandate. There was a lot of "fake news" being spread back in those days, so we created a site to combat that: http://www.healthcarereformmyths.org/.
Nonetheless, it was successful for the most part. Millions of people were able to get insurance who couldn't before, the chances of having to go bankrupt because of medical problems dropped dramatically, and the overall cost for healthcare dropped. There have been outliers certainly, in particular those who are self-employed or run small businesses who don't get employer-provided insurance, and make too much money for medicaid assistance. They are a minority, and their problem could be addressed with a tweak to the law.
Tweaking is not a Republican value, unfortunately. They want big bold campaign-ad-ready actions. They want to feed the anger that they have fomented. If ObamaCare is bad for a small vocal slice of voters in swing states, then by god - it HAS to go - damn the consequences. They tried over 50 times to repeal it, and never succeeded.
They should be smart enough to know that just repealing it in its entirety would end up being a disaster, so they know (and HAVE known for 7 years) that they would need a replacement plan. They've had 7 long years to create a bill so perfect that it should be ready to fly through the House and Senate, and land on the Executive desk to great fanfare. It seems, though, that they assumed the Dems would win the White House in 2016, so there was no need to create a bill. Thus - the AHCA (note that the first "A" in ACA was for "Affordable"; the first "A" in AHCA is "American", which in this case really says all it needs to say).
This new bill - "crafted" by the House (in the same way that Big Macs are "crafted" at McDonalds) was - as claimed by Rand Paul (R-KY) in the Senate: DOA. Other Republicans have come out against the bill (including a House Rep from my state).
Of course - in Rand Paul's case, he thinks the bill doesn't go far enough. He is the minority, though, as most politicians know that pulling the rug out from under elderly constituents (who reliably vote) is political suicide. One would hope they know it's also morally wrong, but I'm not one to get my hopes up for lost causes.
The White House is still pulling for the bill - ANY bill - that will allow pResident tRump to fulfill a campaign promise - damn the consequences. It will be a tough road ahead. The margins for passing it in the House are slim; they are worse in the Senate.
This is what constitutes governance from Republicans: demand repeal of a bill that saves money and saves lives, then propose a replacement that makes things demonstrably worse, despite having years to research and prepare alterations that would make their constituents happy, and ensure their re-election for years to come.
This bill should be DOA. Otherwise, millions of people will be DOA, as should be the careers of all those who propose, support, and vote for this garbage.
ÂÂ
When the ACA was originally being crafted and debated, there were a lot of compromises that needed to be made, due to the delicate majorities the Dems had in Congress (including Democratic senators from essentially red states), and the powerful insurance company lobbies. The biggest disappointment on the left was the lack of a "public option" (insurance provided by the government, such as the ability to "buy into" Medicare). The biggest aggravation on the right was the mandate. There was a lot of "fake news" being spread back in those days, so we created a site to combat that: http://www.healthcarereformmyths.org/.
Nonetheless, it was successful for the most part. Millions of people were able to get insurance who couldn't before, the chances of having to go bankrupt because of medical problems dropped dramatically, and the overall cost for healthcare dropped. There have been outliers certainly, in particular those who are self-employed or run small businesses who don't get employer-provided insurance, and make too much money for medicaid assistance. They are a minority, and their problem could be addressed with a tweak to the law.
Tweaking is not a Republican value, unfortunately. They want big bold campaign-ad-ready actions. They want to feed the anger that they have fomented. If ObamaCare is bad for a small vocal slice of voters in swing states, then by god - it HAS to go - damn the consequences. They tried over 50 times to repeal it, and never succeeded.
They should be smart enough to know that just repealing it in its entirety would end up being a disaster, so they know (and HAVE known for 7 years) that they would need a replacement plan. They've had 7 long years to create a bill so perfect that it should be ready to fly through the House and Senate, and land on the Executive desk to great fanfare. It seems, though, that they assumed the Dems would win the White House in 2016, so there was no need to create a bill. Thus - the AHCA (note that the first "A" in ACA was for "Affordable"; the first "A" in AHCA is "American", which in this case really says all it needs to say).
This new bill - "crafted" by the House (in the same way that Big Macs are "crafted" at McDonalds) was - as claimed by Rand Paul (R-KY) in the Senate: DOA. Other Republicans have come out against the bill (including a House Rep from my state).
Of course - in Rand Paul's case, he thinks the bill doesn't go far enough. He is the minority, though, as most politicians know that pulling the rug out from under elderly constituents (who reliably vote) is political suicide. One would hope they know it's also morally wrong, but I'm not one to get my hopes up for lost causes.
The White House is still pulling for the bill - ANY bill - that will allow pResident tRump to fulfill a campaign promise - damn the consequences. It will be a tough road ahead. The margins for passing it in the House are slim; they are worse in the Senate.
This is what constitutes governance from Republicans: demand repeal of a bill that saves money and saves lives, then propose a replacement that makes things demonstrably worse, despite having years to research and prepare alterations that would make their constituents happy, and ensure their re-election for years to come.
This bill should be DOA. Otherwise, millions of people will be DOA, as should be the careers of all those who propose, support, and vote for this garbage.
ÂÂ
Comments:
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Comment by 
wickedpam on 03/15/2017 13:12:56
wickedpam on 03/15/2017 13:12:56
Morning 
Back at work after a very rare snow day for us.
Back at work after a very rare snow day for us.
Comment by 
Raine on 03/15/2017 13:19:26
Raine on 03/15/2017 13:19:26
Good Morning! 
Comment by Raine on 03/15/2017 13:19:45
you deserve one every now and then!
Raine on 03/15/2017 13:19:45
Quote by wickedpam:
Morning
Back at work after a very rare snow day for us.
you deserve one every now and then!
Comment by 
Scoopster on 03/15/2017 13:20:31
Scoopster on 03/15/2017 13:20:31
Mornin' all 
Comment by Raine on 03/15/2017 13:21:25
Raine on 03/15/2017 13:21:25
So, about Assange and the Russian servers:
All of the above appear to be factual statements. It is not a fact that Russia did indeed monitor web traffic to Wikileaks, but it seems to be an absolute fact that if they want to, they can – and it seems, from the reaction of Mr. Chayanov upon being outed, almost totally certain that Julian Assange handed Russia the keys to the Wikileaks site deliberately.
Comment by wickedpam on 03/15/2017 13:25:37
Think it was first preemptive snow day we've ever had. It was so nice not to have to stress.
wickedpam on 03/15/2017 13:25:37
Quote by Raine:Quote by wickedpam:
Morning
Back at work after a very rare snow day for us.
you deserve one every now and then!
Think it was first preemptive snow day we've ever had. It was so nice not to have to stress.
Comment by 
BobR on 03/15/2017 13:27:19
This is amazing
BobR on 03/15/2017 13:27:19
Quote by Raine:
So, about Assange and the Russian servers:All of the above appear to be factual statements. It is not a fact that Russia did indeed monitor web traffic to Wikileaks, but it seems to be an absolute fact that if they want to, they can – and it seems, from the reaction of Mr. Chayanov upon being outed, almost totally certain that Julian Assange handed Russia the keys to the Wikileaks site deliberately.
This is amazing
Comment by Raine on 03/15/2017 13:35:08
Raine on 03/15/2017 13:35:08
The greatest television news interview ever. pic.twitter.com/hrpSHEh0wL
— JMK 🇰🇪 (@JMKTV) March 14, 2017
Comment by BobR on 03/15/2017 13:46:35
righteous, dude!
BobR on 03/15/2017 13:46:35
Quote by Raine:The greatest television news interview ever. pic.twitter.com/hrpSHEh0wL
— JMK 🇰🇪 (@JMKTV) March 14, 2017
righteous, dude!
Comment by Raine on 03/15/2017 13:50:12
Good stuff fro WaPo
Raine on 03/15/2017 13:50:12
Within days of Trump's inauguration, a portrait of Jackson was placed in the Oval Office. Trump ostentatiously showed visiting journalists a biography of Jackson sitting on his desk (it was less clear whether he had read it). Trump's predecessor, former President Barack Obama, had ordered that Jackson, a slaveholder, be removed from the face of the $20 bill and replaced by an image of black abolitionist leader Harriet Tubman. Trump, by contrast, will journey to Jackson's home, the Hermitage, and grandstand over Old Hickory's grave.
Comment by 
TriSec on 03/15/2017 14:09:37
TriSec on 03/15/2017 14:09:37
Good Morning.
So the fizzle yesterday wound up leaving only about 5 inches here in Waltham. But it was above freezing and rain by the time the storm finished. It then dropped below 20 overnight, so I witnessed a few unfortunates trying to get their cars out with hammers and chisels this morning.
So the fizzle yesterday wound up leaving only about 5 inches here in Waltham. But it was above freezing and rain by the time the storm finished. It then dropped below 20 overnight, so I witnessed a few unfortunates trying to get their cars out with hammers and chisels this morning.
Comment by Scoopster on 03/15/2017 14:12:38
Scoopster on 03/15/2017 14:12:38
Meanwhile in Europe today, the Dutch are voting for a new Parliament. Good rundown of that here.
The neo-nazi assholes we don't want to gain any traction are Geert Wilders and his "Party of Freedom".
The neo-nazi assholes we don't want to gain any traction are Geert Wilders and his "Party of Freedom".
Comment by BobR on 03/15/2017 14:13:38
Not much for us, but it was layers of slush, snow, and freezing rain. Backbreaking work getting it off the road before it became permafrost overnight.
Upstate NY and parts of PA, and areas of New England got tons of snow, and strong winds. It was very regional who got hit and who got a near miss
BobR on 03/15/2017 14:13:38
Quote by TriSec:
Good Morning.
So the fizzle yesterday wound up leaving only about 5 inches here in Waltham. But it was above freezing and rain by the time the storm finished. It then dropped below 20 overnight, so I witnessed a few unfortunates trying to get their cars out with hammers and chisels this morning.
Not much for us, but it was layers of slush, snow, and freezing rain. Backbreaking work getting it off the road before it became permafrost overnight.
Upstate NY and parts of PA, and areas of New England got tons of snow, and strong winds. It was very regional who got hit and who got a near miss
Comment by Scoopster on 03/15/2017 14:16:06
Eeesh... bout the same here. In fact the warm-up and long period of heavy rain combined with plowing washed most of the slush off the roads here, and the rain stopped long enough for most of teh water to run off before the temp dropped below freezing. We've got lots of black ice patches, but for the most part surfaces are walkable.
Scoopster on 03/15/2017 14:16:06
Quote by TriSec:
Good Morning.
So the fizzle yesterday wound up leaving only about 5 inches here in Waltham. But it was above freezing and rain by the time the storm finished. It then dropped below 20 overnight, so I witnessed a few unfortunates trying to get their cars out with hammers and chisels this morning.
Eeesh... bout the same here. In fact the warm-up and long period of heavy rain combined with plowing washed most of the slush off the roads here, and the rain stopped long enough for most of teh water to run off before the temp dropped below freezing. We've got lots of black ice patches, but for the most part surfaces are walkable.
Comment by Raine on 03/15/2017 14:21:03
That happens when you purxhase quality journalism! .
Raine on 03/15/2017 14:21:03
Quote by BobR:Quote by Raine:
Breaking!
Just beat me to it, LOL
That happens when you purxhase quality journalism! .
Comment by Will in Chicago on 03/15/2017 14:27:25
Will in Chicago on 03/15/2017 14:27:25
Good morning, bloggers!!
We had about 4 to 6 inches of snow here in Northwest Indiana yesterday We missed a lot of the snow that was predicted. Parts of the area near the Wisconsin border got a foot of snow.
No news on the job front. However, it is back to the search today.
We had about 4 to 6 inches of snow here in Northwest Indiana yesterday We missed a lot of the snow that was predicted. Parts of the area near the Wisconsin border got a foot of snow.
No news on the job front. However, it is back to the search today.
Comment by Scoopster on 03/15/2017 14:39:46
Scoopster on 03/15/2017 14:39:46
Comment by Raine on 03/15/2017 14:47:13
I was a little upset that no one asked about it in the Presser.
It's a BFD.
Raine on 03/15/2017 14:47:13
I was a little upset that no one asked about it in the Presser.
It's a BFD.
Comment by Scoopster on 03/15/2017 14:58:29
Scoopster on 03/15/2017 14:58:29
Comment by Raine on 03/15/2017 15:22:06
Raine on 03/15/2017 15:22:06
Nunes and Schiff are giving a presser right now. No evidence so far for Trump tap claim.
Comment by Raine on 03/15/2017 15:24:11
Raine on 03/15/2017 15:24:11
(Watching it on WaPo Live FB)
Comment by Scoopster on 03/15/2017 15:24:23
Isn't Comey's thing starting soon?
Scoopster on 03/15/2017 15:24:23
Quote by Raine:
Nunes and Schiff are giving a presser right now. No evidence so far for Trump tap claim.
Isn't Comey's thing starting soon?
Comment by BobR on 03/15/2017 15:26:14
BobR on 03/15/2017 15:26:14
BLOG IS POSTED!!
Had a scare that it was all lost when we lost power. Gotta love Chrome for caching the editbox contents.
Had a scare that it was all lost when we lost power. Gotta love Chrome for caching the editbox contents.
Comment by Raine on 03/15/2017 15:31:09
I am not sure -- These two haven;t met him -- Nunes said if they don't get the proof from WH by friday they will subpeona.
Raine on 03/15/2017 15:31:09
Quote by Scoopster:Quote by Raine:
Nunes and Schiff are giving a presser right now. No evidence so far for Trump tap claim.
Isn't Comey's thing starting soon?
Comment by Raine on 03/15/2017 15:35:58
Raine on 03/15/2017 15:35:58
Nunes looks sick to his stomach.
Comment by Raine on 03/15/2017 15:38:53
Comey will tesify in Public.
Raine on 03/15/2017 15:38:53
Quote by Raine:I am not sure -- These two haven;t met him -- Nunes said if they don't get the proof from WH by friday they will subpeona.Quote by Scoopster:Quote by Raine:
Nunes and Schiff are giving a presser right now. No evidence so far for Trump tap claim.
Isn't Comey's thing starting soon?
Comey will tesify in Public.
Comment by Raine on 03/15/2017 15:39:19
Raine on 03/15/2017 15:39:19
Comment by Raine on 03/15/2017 15:46:54
This is why this story is BIG, combined with this presser with Nunes and Schiff -- they have access to everything the Senate gang of 8 has as of today.
Raine on 03/15/2017 15:46:54
Quote by Raine:Quote by BobR:Quote by Raine:
Breaking!
Just beat me to it, LOL
That happens when you purxhase quality journalism! .
This is why this story is BIG, combined with this presser with Nunes and Schiff -- they have access to everything the Senate gang of 8 has as of today.
The indictments target two members of the Russian intelligence agency FSB, and two hackers hired by the Russians.
The charges include hacking, wire fraud, trade secret theft and economic espionage, according to officials, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because the charges have not yet been announced. The indictments are part of the largest hacking case brought by the United States.
Comment by BobR on 03/15/2017 15:47:34
Several towns in upstate NY got over 3 feet - and it's still coming down
BobR on 03/15/2017 15:47:34
Quote by BobR:Quote by TriSec:
Good Morning.
So the fizzle yesterday wound up leaving only about 5 inches here in Waltham. But it was above freezing and rain by the time the storm finished. It then dropped below 20 overnight, so I witnessed a few unfortunates trying to get their cars out with hammers and chisels this morning.
Not much for us, but it was layers of slush, snow, and freezing rain. Backbreaking work getting it off the road before it became permafrost overnight.
Upstate NY and parts of PA, and areas of New England got tons of snow, and strong winds. It was very regional who got hit and who got a near miss
Several towns in upstate NY got over 3 feet - and it's still coming down
Comment by 
Mondobubba on 03/15/2017 15:54:59
What Bobber said.
Stella Wasn’t a Dud, You City-Centric Weather Observers!
Mondobubba on 03/15/2017 15:54:59
Quote by BobR:Quote by BobR:Quote by TriSec:
Good Morning.
So the fizzle yesterday wound up leaving only about 5 inches here in Waltham. But it was above freezing and rain by the time the storm finished. It then dropped below 20 overnight, so I witnessed a few unfortunates trying to get their cars out with hammers and chisels this morning.
Not much for us, but it was layers of slush, snow, and freezing rain. Backbreaking work getting it off the road before it became permafrost overnight.
Upstate NY and parts of PA, and areas of New England got tons of snow, and strong winds. It was very regional who got hit and who got a near miss
Several towns in upstate NY got over 3 feet - and it's still coming down
What Bobber said.
Stella Wasn’t a Dud, You City-Centric Weather Observers!
Comment by BobR on 03/15/2017 16:22:19
In the area around Schenectady, the winds on the backside of the low pressure system (coming out of the north) are creating lake-effect snow off of Lake Ontario. I remember those epic storms from my youth - they are intense.
BobR on 03/15/2017 16:22:19
Quote by Mondobubba:Quote by BobR:Quote by BobR:Quote by TriSec:
Good Morning.
So the fizzle yesterday wound up leaving only about 5 inches here in Waltham. But it was above freezing and rain by the time the storm finished. It then dropped below 20 overnight, so I witnessed a few unfortunates trying to get their cars out with hammers and chisels this morning.
Not much for us, but it was layers of slush, snow, and freezing rain. Backbreaking work getting it off the road before it became permafrost overnight.
Upstate NY and parts of PA, and areas of New England got tons of snow, and strong winds. It was very regional who got hit and who got a near miss
Several towns in upstate NY got over 3 feet - and it's still coming down
What Bobber said.
Stella Wasn’t a Dud, You City-Centric Weather Observers!
In the area around Schenectady, the winds on the backside of the low pressure system (coming out of the north) are creating lake-effect snow off of Lake Ontario. I remember those epic storms from my youth - they are intense.
Comment by Mondobubba on 03/15/2017 16:27:36
One of the many reasons my mom left for warmer climes after finishing college.
Mondobubba on 03/15/2017 16:27:36
Quote by BobR:Quote by Mondobubba:Quote by BobR:Quote by BobR:Quote by TriSec:
Good Morning.
So the fizzle yesterday wound up leaving only about 5 inches here in Waltham. But it was above freezing and rain by the time the storm finished. It then dropped below 20 overnight, so I witnessed a few unfortunates trying to get their cars out with hammers and chisels this morning.
Not much for us, but it was layers of slush, snow, and freezing rain. Backbreaking work getting it off the road before it became permafrost overnight.
Upstate NY and parts of PA, and areas of New England got tons of snow, and strong winds. It was very regional who got hit and who got a near miss
Several towns in upstate NY got over 3 feet - and it's still coming down
What Bobber said.
Stella Wasn’t a Dud, You City-Centric Weather Observers!
In the area around Schenectady, the winds on the backside of the low pressure system (coming out of the north) are creating lake-effect snow off of Lake Ontario. I remember those epic storms from my youth - they are intense.
One of the many reasons my mom left for warmer climes after finishing college.
Comment by Raine on 03/15/2017 16:36:30
Raine on 03/15/2017 16:36:30
Great Blog, Bobr.
with all the stuff happening this morning I FINALLY got around to reading it.
with all the stuff happening this morning I FINALLY got around to reading it.
Comment by Raine on 03/15/2017 16:55:47
Raine on 03/15/2017 16:55:47
This is VERY intersting
Donald Trump married Melania Knaus in 2005. She had been a permanent resident since 2001. She became a US citizen in 2006. Part of the US naturalization checklist the last 5 years tax returns OR the last 3 years tax returns if married to a US citizen, which would be in Melania's case:
2003 single filing...
2004 single filing...
2005 joint filing with DJT
Melania's citizenship depended on a squeaky clean join tax filing in 2005. This is why Trump, yesterday, leaked his own (partial) 2005 1040 form. It was the only year he was forced to play by the rules.
This was a clear attempt to game the US public and media, distract from all the other shit that's going on, and make himself look as awesome as possible to his base.
If this was a 'leak' by a 'concerned 3rd party' there's no way it would be so beneficial to Trump.
Comment by Scoopster on 03/15/2017 18:54:50
Scoopster on 03/15/2017 18:54:50
@LarryEKlayman Dude turn off caps lock. Shouting doesnt make you look any more stupid than you already are, just makes you look desperate
— Brian Macfarlane (@sc00p401) March 15, 2017
Comment by Raine on 03/15/2017 18:58:40
Raine on 03/15/2017 18:58:40
Quote by Scoopster:@LarryEKlayman Dude turn off caps lock. Shouting doesnt make you look any more stupid than you already are, just makes you look desperate
— Brian Macfarlane (@sc00p401) March 15, 2017
Comment by Raine on 03/15/2017 18:59:48
Raine on 03/15/2017 18:59:48
Comment by Scoopster on 03/15/2017 20:20:31
Scoopster on 03/15/2017 20:20:31
@AP: BREAKING: Netherlands’ main exit poll suggests that anti-Islam firebrand Geert Wilders had unexpectedly poor showing in election.
GOOD.
GOOD.
Comment by 
livingonli on 03/15/2017 21:28:48
The Trump effect may be turning people off to these parties.
livingonli on 03/15/2017 21:28:48
Quote by Scoopster:
@AP: BREAKING: Netherlands’ main exit poll suggests that anti-Islam firebrand Geert Wilders had unexpectedly poor showing in election.
GOOD.
The Trump effect may be turning people off to these parties.