200 DAYS, 200 CLAIMS

A Special RNC Research Report On

President Obama's Failed Economic Experiment

View This Research Briefing At GOP.com

To read the full report, visit

Here

RNC Chairman Michael Steele: "It is appropriate on the 200th day of the stimulus to look back at exactly what the stimulus has accomplished. The answer is very little. What it has done, however, is give the American people a $787 billion bill they cannot afford. In this report, you will find 200 claims that President Barack Obama, Vice President Joe Biden, senior Administration officials and Congressional Democrats have made about the stimulus. None of these claims match reality." (RNC Research, 200 Days, 200 Claims, 8/31/09)

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

On February 17, 2009, President Obama signed into law the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, often referred to as the "stimulus." As members of Congress debated the bill and in the time following its inception, there were countless promises made to the American people regarding exactly what the bill would deliver. The mantra of "jobs, jobs, jobs" was used repeatedly to sell the stimulus. While it's impossible to calculate the number of jobs "created or saved" by the stimulus, we do know that since the stimulus was passed over 2.2 million jobs have been lost nationwide.

As we approach September 4, 2009, the 200th day since the stimulus package was signed into law, the Research Department of the Republican National Committee (RNC) has identified and reviewed 200 of the claims made by the Obama Administration and Congressional Democrats who supported this massive economic experiment. The RNC's research focuses on promises made to the American people on job creation, waste, prevention, targeted spending, transparency, and how the stimulus would bring about an economic recovery. The resulting report, "200 Days, 200 Claims," holds Democrats accountable for their claims that the stimulus was an absolute necessity to "jolt" the economy. They used this and other claims to quickly force through one of the largest spending bills in American history. Now Americans will see how valid those claims are 200 days later.

Among the misleading claims debunked in this report are these oft-repeated and echoed talking points:

• The stimulus would create 3.5 million jobs and starting do so immediately; Instead, over 2.2 million Americans have lost their jobs since the stimulus bill was signed into law.

• The money would be spent carefully, effectively, and transparently; Instead, we have seen the money squandered on such projects as the $18 million overhaul of the Administration's stimulus-promoting website and the GAO has said there is no effective system in place to monitor the spending.

• And, lastly, the stimulus is working as promised and according to plan; Instead, the unemployment rate has far exceeded even the Administration's projection if we did not pass their stimulus bill.

Not surprisingly, the American people are not buying these and other Democrat claims. No wonder a recent USA Today/Gallup poll found that nearly 6 in 10 Americans believe the stimulus is having no impact on the economy and won't help in the years to come. As the reality behind these 200 claims demonstrate, Americans are too smart to be misled.

To read the full report, visit HERE

Betty McCollum takes on the Moamar Gadhafi look. Could it be that they are related?

If Nancy Pelosi wants to find a swastika, she should start by looking on her own sleeve!

Healthcare Canvass Kickoff and Rally

This is fresh from our liberal elected officials. They are all we have for representation and they need to hear what we have to say. Not they will listen to us, of course. So I urge all good conservatives to stand up, show up, be heard. Go out and canvass a neighborhood with them. Let the citizens hear what you have to say while the liberals are out pushing their march to socialism. Be sure to sign up at the link at the bottom of this post.

Canvass Kickoff and Rally with Representatives Betty McCollum and Keith Ellison (Health Care Canvass)

As Minnesotans, we know we need health insurance reform. We are sick of a few loud people dominating this debate. Please join us for a rally in support of reform.

The rally will be followed by a canvass, where we will hit the streets and talk to you friends and neighbors about the need for reform this year!

Featured speakers include:

Congresswoman Betty McCollum
Congressman Keith Ellison
St. Paul Mayor Chris Coleman
Minneapolis Mayor RT Rybak
State Representative Erin Murphy

Time:	Saturday, August 22 from 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Host:	Elyse Ruiz
Location:	DFL Headquarters (Saint Paul, MN) 255 East Plato Blvd. Saint Paul, MN 55107

http://my.barackobama.com/page/event/detail/healthcarecanvass/gpffy5

Health Care Rationing

This article from a doctor in Georgia is excellent.

Hardball Chicago Politics

I was unhappy to see an article this morning about the US House Democrats "asking" certain of the nation's health insurers for detailed financial records as part of an "investigation into executive compensation and other business practices".  Read about it here.

These are the same Democrats who are proposing legislation which will have life-or-death influence over the entire health insurance industry.  These are the same Democrats who have been demonizing health care insurers and their executives.

Note well that insurers and other organizations that signed on to support "reform" were not sent these letters.  Can I call this extortion?

This is appalling.  There is no "probable cause", no warrant, no charge.  This is a fishing expedition for political ammunition that the Democrats will use to further demonize the companies that provide this information.

I hope some of these insurance executives refuse this request.  It is the kind of stand that Americans should support, lest we all end up at the mercy of the demagogues in Washington.

Costs of Health Care "reform"

A great commentary on the cost of government "health care" appears from The Center For the American Experiment today.  http://www.americanexperiment.org

Mitch Perlstein's excellent editorial  today consists mainly of an excerpt from a newspaper from 1993.

Read it here.

The Pelosi GTxi SS/RT

Saw this video at Colin and Jill's house. Had to share it here. Laughed so hard I almost fell out of my chair.

Ronald Reagan Speaks Out Against Socialized Medicine

From the 1961 Operation Coffee Cup Campaign against Socialized Medicine as proposed by the Democrats, then a private citizen Ronald Reagan Speaks out ...against socialized medicine. There is no video because this was an LP sent out by the American Medical Association.

President Reagan mentions socialist Norman Thomas several times in this speech. Norman Thomas was a leading American socialist, pacifist and six-time presidential candidate for the Socialist Party of America.

testing

Great video.

Health care - one untruth at a time

So far, I have tried very hard to avoid calling a spade a spade in this debate.  There are often differing points of view, and one does not want to use harsh words if they are not absolutely necessary.  Our President should be respected, and what he says should be believed.

Unfortunately, what has come from our President's mouth in recent days cannot be whitewashed.  He is misleading and misinforming the public, and I cannot be honest myself if I don't call a lie a lie.

This morning I want to refute one of the more egregious assertions - that "no one is talking about cutting medicare".  See video here.  This one takes enormous chutzpah, because Obama himself was reported only a few weeks ago to have proposed Medicare cuts.  here.  Do a little Google searching.  In mid June, there was lots of buzz about this.

I am tired of hearing that the status quo is the only option "not on the table".

The status quo is very much on the table.  There is no certainty that any "reform" will pass, and the standard for passing any reform should be the same as the common medical dictum - "First, do no harm".

The current house proposal fails this test, and deserves to be rejected.

The status quo has faults, but it is far superior to the massive, irresponsible, freedom-destroying experiment that is HR 3200.

AARP Organizers Cancel Listening Session After Participants Ask Questions

SENIOR CITIZENS AND EVERYONE WILL LOSE ACCESS TO AND CONTROL OVER MEDICAL DECISIONS

DFL's money woes: IRS problems and possible election fines

The DFL again is running up against its toughest political foe: money.

The party was, for awhile at least, behind in FICA payments to its own employees. There are rumblings that it also could be facing fines from the Federal Elections Commission (FEC). There even are rumblings that the heating and air conditioning system is in such a bad state of repair at the party's St. Paul headquarters that employees were wearing coats at their offices late last winter.

Who owes what
Included with the memo was a chart showing the payment status of the party's elected officials. That chart showed that U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar, who pays annual dues of $25,000 to the UDF, is $40,000 behind in payment. Newly-elected Sen. Al Franken owes $25,000. U.S. Rep. Keith Ellison, who is supposed to pay $15,000 in annual dues, is behind by $35,000. Rep. Tim Walz owes $15,000. State auditor Rebecca Otto and attorney general Lori Swanson each owe $5,000 and the state House caucus owes $7,500.

Read more here...

Canada: Gun registry has been a failure

- The Burnaby Now
The gun registry has failed to improve public safety. It is time we stopped wasting money on harassing hunters and target shooters. We should focus on jailing violent criminals and repeat offenders.

Read more here...

Obama’s Government-Run Health Care Experiment Will Make Health Insurance More Expensive

Talking Points On Health Care Affordability

American Taxpayers And Businesses Will Be Shouldered With Over $1.6 Trillion In New Spending And $800 Billion In New Taxes To Pay For Government-Run Health Care. "Democrats argue the number should be $1 trillion, a number provided by the Congressional Budget Office for the net cost of the portion of the bill affecting health insurance, and they boasted in press releases that the bill actually creates a $6 billion surplus over the coming decade. But the gross cost of the bill is much higher, more than $1.6 trillion, according to a Roll Call analysis of the CBO data. And despite more than $800 billion in tax and fee hikes, it actually adds $239 billion to the deficit ..." (Steven Dennis, "Analysis: House Health Care Bill's Price Tag Tops $1.6 Trillion," Roll Call, 7/20/09)

Even Obama’s Budget Director Acknowledges His Proposal Won’t Make Insurance More Affordable. "The rapidly rising cost of health care, Obama has said, is 'a threat to our economy' ... So a critical test of the health reform proposals lumbering through Congress is whether they defuse that bomb. The answer, so far, is no. That was the message ... Peter Orszag sent to the chairs of three House committees that released a 'discussion draft' of legislation last month ... As Mr. Orszag put it, 'Adopting a deficit-neutral health reform that expands coverage ... is not enough, because it would perpetuate a system in which best practices are far from universal and costs are too high.'" (Editorial, "Health Care Savings," The Washington Post, 7/13/09)

National Insurance Czar Will Create Strict, One-Size-Fits-All Regulations For Health Coverage, Leading To Higher Premium Costs. "A qualified health benefits plan shall meet a medical loss ratio as defined by the Commissioner. For any plan year in which the qualified health benefits plan does not meet such medical loss ratio, QHBP offering entity shall provide in a manner specified by the Commissioner for rebates to enrollees of payment sufficient to meet such loss ratio ... The Commissioner shall build on the definition and methodology developed by the Secretary of Health and Human Services under the amendments made by section 161 for determining how to calculate the medical loss ratio. Such methodology shall be set at the highest level medical loss ratio possible that is designed to ensure adequate participation by QHBP offering entities, competition in the health insurance market in and out of the Health Insurance Exchange, and value for consumers so that their premiums are used for services." (H.R. 3200, "America's Affordable Health Choices Act of 2009," Introduced 7/14/09)

Obama’s Plan Will Force People To Pay Tax If They Don’t Want To Buy Government-Approved Insurance. "Don't have health insurance? Don't want to pay for it? Too bad. It's looking like President Barack Obama and the Democratic-controlled Congress are going to require you to pick up the bill. In Washington-speak, it's called an individual mandate--or a requirement that people who don't already have health insurance to purchase it, much like most states require drivers to have automobile insurance ... Any plan is likely to be modeled after one in Massachusetts, which required that virtually everyone have health insurance or face tax penalties." (Liz Sidoti, "No Health Care? Expect A Requirement To Get It," The Associated Press, 6/22/09)

Obama’s Plan Will Tax Companies Which Don’t Provide Insurance To Their Employees. “The research and data on the devastating impact of an employer mandate is clear – it is a job killer, potentially costing 1.6 million jobs-- hardly what this country needs in these challenging economic times. Fundamentally, a mandate fails to address the real problems of our healthcare system – unsustainable costs. Adding new, additional burdens to small business owners – especially in the form of an expensive mandate – is not an effective approach to reform. In fact, it burdens the very people we are supposed to be trying to help.” (National Federation of Independent Business, “Health Reform Must Help, Not Harm Small Businesses,” Press Release, 6/10/09)

Obama’s Plan Does Nothing About Medical Liability Reform Or Reducing Practice Of Defensive Medicine, Both Of Which Drive Up Costs. “Obama and lawmakers need to return to the drawing board, and when they do they should include medical liability reforms that would be a true counter-force to rising health care costs.” (Editorial, “Cost control: Liability Limits Needed In Reform,” The Oklahoman, 7/26/09)

Republican Plans Will Make Health Insurance More Affordable

Republican Plans Will Provide Tax Relief To Make It Easier For Uninsured Americans To Get Coverage, And Help Insured Americans Pay For Their Current Coverage. Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-KY): "To get to the problem of uninsured, we have to equalize the tax code. Business provides health insurance for its employees. If an individual buys insurance, it is not deductible. Number two, we should be incentivizing wellness programs targeting smoking, obesity, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, and lack of exercise. Safeway have been able to cut health-care costs by incentivizing employees to take good care of their health. Those are the kinds of steps that we could take to really address the problem of access and cost without scrapping the finest health care in the world." (FOX News' " America 's Newsroom," 7/16/09)

Republicans Will Allow Small Businesses And Self-Employed To Group Together, Making Coverage More Affordable. "This legislation creates expanded options for the purchase of low-cost health care from new pooling mechanisms. Today, the only health insurance pool available to Americans is their employer's pool. Americans not in an employer-sponsored pool buy in what is called the 'individual market.' The Improving Health Care for All Americans Act dramatically expands the insurance pools Americans can select to join by allowing churches, alumni associations, trade associations and other civic groups to set up new insurance pools and offer affordable health care packages to their members. Instead of having only one group policy to choose from, under this bill, every American will be able to choose from a number of 'group plans.' This will make health care more affordable and portable while not locking individuals into staying at a job simply to keep their health coverage. Families should not be forced to choose between leaving their employer and having health care." (Rep. Shadegg (R-AZ), "Republicans Introduce: The Improving Health Care for All Americans Act," Press Release, 7/14/09)

Republican Plans Will Make Insurance Portable By Allowing Americans To Keep Coverage When Changing Jobs. "[The bill] takes a radically different approach in contrast to what has been discussed by President Obama as well as Democrats in both chambers. It gives people choice and places American families back in control of their plans and their health care. This legislation will reduce the cost and improve the quality of health care while expanding access and portability." (Rep. Shadegg (R-AZ), "Republicans Introduce: The Improving Health Care for All Americans Act," Press Release, 7/14/09)

Republican Plans Will Allow Americans To Shop For Insurance In Other States, Creating More Competitive Insurance Market And Reducing Premiums. “Expands the individual market – Creates pooling mechanisms such as association health plans and individual membership accounts. Individuals are also allowed to shop for health insurance across state lines.” (Republican Study Committee, “RSC Unveils A Solution For Affordable, Quality Health Care,” Press Release, 7/30/09)

Republicans Will Expand Health Savings Accounts To Allow Americans To Have More Control Over How Health Care Dollars Are Spent. “The Health Care Freedom Plan: Allows Americans with Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) to use their HSA funds to pay for insurance premiums, encouraging employers to contribute to their employees’ HSAs.” (Sen. DeMint, "DeMint Introduces Health Care Freedom Plan," Press Release, 6/23/09)

Republican Plans Will Help Those On Medicaid With Vouchers Or Refundable Tax Credits So They Can Buy Private Insurance. "'The Patients' Choice Act of 2009' transforms health care in America by strengthening the relationship between the patient and the doctor; using choice and competition rather than rationing and restrictions to contain costs; and ensuring universal, affordable health care for all Americans. 'The Patients' Choice Act' promotes innovative, State-based solutions, along with fundamental reforms in the tax code, to give every American, regardless of employment status, age, or health condition, the ability and the resources to purchase health insurance. The comprehensive legislation includes concrete prevention and transparency initiatives, long overdue reforms to Medicare and Medicaid, investments in wellness programs and health IT, and more." (Rep. Paul Ryan, "Senators Coburn, Burr, And Representatives Ryan, Nunes Offer A Better Path Forward On Health Care Reform," Press Release, 5/20/09)

TALKING POINTS ON REPUBLICAN HEALTH CARE SOLUTIONS

The Principles

Republicans Want Reform, But Not Through Risky And Costly Experimentation With Americans’ Tax Dollars And Health Care. “Candidate Obama promised change. President Obama is conducting an experiment. He's conducting a dangerous experiment with our health care. He's conducting a reckless experiment with our economy … Let me be clear—Republicans support health care reform that addresses the biggest problem in our system—runaway costs. We don't need to spend more on health care—we already spend far more than the rest of the industrialized world.” (RNC Chairman Michael Steele, Remarks On President Obama's Grand Health Care Experiment, Washington , DC, 7/20/09)

Republicans Want Health Care System Based Around Consumers. “Consumers should be financially invested in better health decisions through health-savings accounts, lower premiums and reduced cost sharing. If they seek care in cost-effective settings, comply with medical regimens, preventative care, and lifestyles that reduce the likelihood of chronic disease, they should share in the savings.” (Gov. Bobby Jindal, Op-Ed, “How To Make Health-Care Reform Bipartisan,” The Wall Street Journal, 7/22/09)

Republicans Want All Americans To Have Opportunity To Buy Health Coverage They Want. “Republicans are promoting commonsense reforms that make health care more affordable, reduce the number of uninsured Americans, and increase quality at a price our country can afford---while making sure that Americans who like their health care coverage can keep it.” (Rep. Roy Blunt, "Health Care Solutions Group," Press Release, 6/17/09)

Republicans Believe No One Should Be Forced To Buy Coverage. “House Republicans on Wednesday unveiled a $700 billion health care plan that would offer tax credits to help people buy insurance, yet unlike Democratic proposals, wouldn't require either individuals or employers to get coverage.” (Ricardo Alonso-Zaldivar, “House Republicans Unveil $700B Health Care Plan,” The Associated Press, 7/29/09)

Republicans Believe Pre-Existing Conditions Should No Longer Keep Anyone From Getting Coverage If They Want It. “Make quality health care coverage affordable and accessible for every American, regardless of pre-existing health conditions.” (Ricardo Alonso-Zaldivar, “House Republicans Unveil $700B Health Care Plan,” The Associated Press, 7/29/09)

Republicans Don’t Want Any American To Fear Costs While Shopping For Insurance Plans. "Under the Health Care Freedom Plan, Americans would be able to keep the care they have now, but if they are uninsured or unhappy with their current plan, they could access a voucher to purchase health insurance anywhere in the country. This will create a true, competitive market for health care that will lower costs and increase quality. And it levels the playing field so all Americans - regardless of their employment benefits or employment status -- have the same access to quality health care.” (Sen. DeMint, "DeMint Introduces Health Care Freedom Plan," Press Release, 6/23/09)

The Policies

This Year, Republicans Have Offered Multiple Bills That Aim To Increase Affordability, Accessibility, And Availability Of Health Care For All Americans.

· “Empowering Patients First Act” (Republican Study Committee, “RSC Unveils A Solution For Affordable, Quality Health Care,” Press Release, 7/30/09)

• “Improving Health Care For All Americans Act” (Rep. Shadegg (R-AZ), "Republicans Introduce: The Improving Health Care for All Americans Act," Press Release, 7/14/09)
• 
  

· “Health Care Freedom Act Of 2009” (Sen. Jim DeMint, "DeMint Introduces Health Care Freedom Plan," Press Release, 6/23/09)

• “Patients’ Choice Act Of 2009” (Rep. Paul Ryan, "Senators Coburn, Burr, And Representatives Ryan, Nunes Offer A Better Path Forward On Health Care Reform," Press Release, 5/20/09)

Republicans Health Care Policies Based On Common Sense Solutions Like Medical Liability Reform And Encouraging Healthy Behavior. "Republicans have put forward common sense solutions like reforming our medical liability laws to discourage junk lawsuits that make health care more expensive for everyone; strengthening wellness and prevention programs that encourage people to make healthy choices, such as quitting smoking and fighting obesity; and addressing the needs of small business without imposing new taxes that kill jobs." (Sen. Mitch McConnell, Republican Radio Address, 6/20/09)

Republicans Want Americans To Create Their Own Groups And Purchase Coverage Like Employers Do For Their Employees. "This legislation creates expanded options for the purchase of low-cost health care from new pooling mechanisms. Today, the only health insurance pool available to Americans is their employer's pool. Americans not in an employer-sponsored pool buy in what is called the 'individual market.' The Improving Health Care for All Americans Act dramatically expands the insurance pools Americans can select to join by allowing churches, alumni associations, trade associations and other civic groups to set up new insurance pools and offer affordable health care packages to their members. Instead of having only one group policy to choose from, under this bill, every American will be able to choose from a number of 'group plans.' This will make health care more affordable and portable while not locking individuals into staying at a job simply to keep their health coverage. Families should not be forced to choose between leaving their employer and having health care." (Rep. Shadegg (R-AZ), "Republicans Introduce: The Improving Health Care for All Americans Act," Press Release, 7/14/09)

Republicans Propose Performance-Based Pay For Doctors To Help Bring Costs Down. “Roughly 75% of health-care spending is for the care of chronic conditions such as heart disease, cancer and diabetes—and there is little coordination of this care. We can save money and improve outcomes by using integrated networks of care with rigorous, transparent outcome measures emphasizing prevention and disease management.” (Gov. Bobby Jindal, Op-Ed, “How To Make Health-Care Reform Bipartisan,” The Wall Street Journal, 7/22/09)

For Americans Who Don’t Like Their Current Insurance, Republicans Will Offer Tax Credits To Purchase Plan They Like. "The bill allows Americans who don't have employer-sponsored care or those not satisfied with their employer-sponsored plan to buy their own plan on the same tax-advantaged basis their employer enjoys. Americans who pay income taxes get a dollar for dollar reduction in their tax bill up to $2500 for individuals and $5000 per family. Americans who don't pay income taxes get the same amount from the government to buy a policy of their choice; $2500 for individuals and $5000 per family." (Rep. Shadegg (R-AZ), "Republicans Introduce: The Improving Health Care for All Americans Act," Press Release, 7/14/09)

Republicans Propose To Bring Down Health Care Costs By Increasing Transparency And Decreasing Waste. "The Health Care Freedom Plan will also help bring down overall medical costs by reducing expensive malpractice lawsuits against physicians and hospitals and by adding transparency to the industry. This plan also ensures that Americans with pre-existing health conditions have access to affordable coverage through Federal block grants for state high-risk insurance programs." (Sen. DeMint, "DeMint Introduces Health Care Freedom Plan," Press Release, 6/23/09)

Republicans Believe Doctor-Patient Relationship Should Be Strengthened, Not Weakened. "'The Patients' Choice Act of 2009' transforms health care in America by strengthening the relationship between the patient and the doctor; using choice and competition rather than rationing and restrictions to contain costs; and ensuring universal, affordable health care for all Americans.” (Rep. Paul Ryan, "Senators Coburn, Burr, And Representatives Ryan, Nunes Offer A Better Path Forward On Health Care Reform," Press Release, 5/20/09)

GOP SOLUTIONS:

BARACKOBAMAEXPERIMENT.COM

“RSC Unveils A Solution For Affordable, Quality Health Care” (Republican Study Committee, Press Release, 7/30/09)

“How To Make Health-Care Reform Bipartisan” (Gov. Bobby Jindal, Op-Ed, The Wall Street Journal, 7/22/09)

“Health Care Shakeup Will Make Things Worse” (Rep. Eric Cantor, Op-Ed, Richmond Times-Dispatch, 7/12/09)

“Republican Health Care Reform” (Rep. John Boehner, Press Release, 6/27/09)

“House GOP Solutions Group Outlines Health Care Plan to Increase Affordability, Accessibility, Availability Commonsense Health Care Reform to Lower Costs and Increase Access And Quality At A Price Our Country Can Afford” (Rep. Roy Blunt, Press Release, 6/17/09)

“Republicans Introduce: The Improving Health Care for All Americans Act” (Rep. John Shadegg, Press Release, 6/14/09)

“DeMint Introduces Health Care Freedom Plan” (Sen. Jim DeMint, Press Release, 6/23/09)

“House GOP Health Plan Superior” (Rep. John Boehner, Op-Ed, Pittsburg Tribune-Review, 6/17/09)

“Boehner, House GOP Outline Plan To Make Health Care More Affordable & Accessible For All Americans” (Rep. John Boehner, Press Release, 6/17/09)

“Reforming The Delivery Of Health Care” (Sen. Richard Burr, Press Release, 6/16/09)

“GOP Offers Constructive Options To Improve Access To Health Care” (Reps. Roy Blunt, Sam Graves, and Lynn Jenkins, Kansas City Star, 6/10/09)

“To GOP, Reform Is About Wider Access, Lower Prices, Not Government Control” (Rep. Roy Blunt, Op-Ed, The Hill, 6/10/09)

“Let The Debate Begin” (Reps. Paul Ryan and Devin Nunes, Op-Ed, The Washington Times, 6/8/09)

“How The Republican Plan Will Help You” (Rep. Roy Blunt, Press Release, 6/2/09)

“Rep. Ryan On Alternative Healthcare Plan” (FOX News’ “America’s Newsroom,” 5/20/09)

“An Alternative to Obamacare” (Sens. Tom Coburn and Richard Burr and Reps. Paul Ryan and David Nunes, Op-Ed, Real Clear Politics, 5/20/09)

“Senators Coburn, Burr, And Representatives Ryan, Nunes Offer A Better Path Forward On Health Care Reform” (Rep. Paul Ryan, Press Release, Press Conference, 5/20/09)

I am not a doctor, but I play one on TV

Like that really makes you credible!

Sent to me by email.

Politicians never ever lie. They have a talent for telling the truth that makes it unnecessary to fabricate anything. Judy Wallman, a professional genealogy researcher here in southern California, was doing some personal work on her own family tree. She discovered that Congressman Harry Reid's great-great uncle, Remus Reid, was hanged for horse stealing and train robbery in Montana in 1889. Both Judy and Harry Reid share this common ancestor. Harry Reid The only known photograph of Remus shows him standing on the gallows in Montana territory. On the back of the picture Judy obtained during her research is this inscription: 'Remus Reid, horse thief, sent to Montana Territorial Prison 1885, escaped 1887, robbed the Montana Flyer six times. Caught by Pinkerton detectives, convicted and hanged in 1889.' So Judy recently e-mailed Congressman Harry Reid for information about their great-great uncle. Believe it or not, Harry Reid's staff sent back the following biographical sketch for her genealogy research: 'Remus Reid was a famous cowboy in the Montana Territory . His business empire grew to include acquisition of valuable equestrian assets and intimate dealings with the Montana railroad. Beginning in 1883, he devoted several years of his life to government service, finally taking leave to resume his dealings with the railroad. In 1887, he was a key player in a vital investigation run by the renowned Pinkerton Detective Agency. In 1889, Remus passed away during an important civic function held in his honor when the platform upon which he was standing collapsed.' NOW THAT's how it's done, Folks. That's real POLITICAL SPIN.

An interesting comparison.

I find it to be no comparison about who it is that I trust between these two. Rep. Tom Price is a classy guy. He states the facts as they are in an honest, no BS way.

Rep. Tom Price admonishes govt-takeover of healthcare

Single Payer Action Confronts Barney Frank

Perpetual Motion

I went to Rep. Keith Ellison's health care forum last weekend.  He passed out a flyer that claims that the legislation being pushed by the Democrats in Congress will lower costs, offer greater choice, higher quality, and guarantee coverage for everyone.

Now, I'm not very smart, so this confuses me.  It seems to me that if you force someone to provide something, someone has to pay for it.  The flyer claims that this legislation will  "lower costs".  There will be no more "co-pays or deductibles for preventive care", and a cap on out-of-pocket expenses.  It then goes on to describe all the great new benefits, like "Guaranteed, affordable oral, hearing, and vision care for your kids."

Cool.  I like free stuff.  The trouble is that the next item is "Greater Choice: Keep your doctor, and your current plan, if you like them".

Now I'm really confused.  If the government forces my insurance company to pay for things it does not currently offer, I figure that it will cost them money, and besides, if my insurance is forced to add coverage, it's not the same plan any more is it?  I figure that they will either have to raise my rates, or cut something else that they offer to make up the cost.  Maybe the stockholders will take it out of their profits, but that seems unlikely, because investors only invest for the profit. If they have to give up their profits, they will likely just close up shop.  For that matter, I have some stock in my retirement fund.  I sure wouldn't buy stock that doesn't offer a return.  (I have to take care of my retirement!  Social Security isn't enough, that's for sure.)

It gets better, though. There will be a "public option" to keep my greedy insurance company honest, and I retain my right to make all health care decisions.  It's true.  It says so in the flyer.  Even better, the insurance company can't deny me coverage.  The investors are forced to pay my costs on all this cool new stuff in addition to what they pay now, and can't even say no.  The insurance company will also no longer be able to put an upper limit on its liabilities.

I like this a lot.  I get lots of free stuff, at no cost.  I get to keep my plan, which I liked before, but with all these changes, I'm sure to like it even more.  This is great.

I am still confused, though.  I don't understand how the insurance company pays for all this.  They must be really rich and have lots of extra money.

Then it hit me.  President Obama is not a normal politician.  He is really smart, and has figured out how to how to transcend economic laws.  Yes we Can!

I think the next thing Mr. Obama should work on is a perpetual motion machine, or maybe cure cancer.  That will be easy, now that he has conquered economics.

I think I'll sell the health care stock in my retirement fund, though.