So, so far today, we have:

1. White Nationalists and John Birch @ CPAC
2. McConnell makes a stand in support of SuperPACs
3. Boehner goes to war over contraception
4. Rubio wants to let any employer deny coverage for bogus reasons


This has to be one of the most derp filled days in recent memory.

Never Rubio another man's rhubarb

Rubio must think he's got the VP nomination locked up.

How about we completely disconnect health care from employment by I don't know, changing over to a single payer government program?

tnpir: James!: How about we completely disconnect health care from employment by I don't know, changing over to a single payer government program?

Because socialism.

shiat, I forgot about socialism. I guess the only alternative is to allow the Jiffy Lube to decide what kind of care I'm allowed to recieve.

My faith requires me to do whatever I want, whenever I want, wherever I want.

I demand an exemption from the laws of the United States of America, or else the government is engaging in religious persecution.

Denying me this right is the same as slavery.

Hey, it's all good- if any company decides to deny coverage for their employees, then the social media brigades can swing into action and by the sheer power of their collective internet might force the offending company to rethink its position.

James!: How about we completely disconnect health care from employment by I don't know, changing over to a single payer government program?

Disastrous consequences!!!!!

Do you realize what would happen to our nation if, suddenly, EVERY health insurance agent, insurance call center employee, or insurance intermediate were suddenly legislated out of existence?

All those wretched excuses for human beings would have to go find suitable employment, presumably in the Puppy Kicking, Farm Animal Excrement Shoveling, or Asshole HOA Board Member fields.

tnpir: James!: How about we completely disconnect health care from employment by I don't know, changing over to a single payer government program?

Because socialism.

Because Hitler also.

Aarontology: My faith requires me to do whatever I want, whenever I want, wherever I want.

I demand an exemption from the laws of the United States of America, or else the government is engaging in religious persecution.

Denying me this right is the same as slavery.

so you want to become a sovereign citizen? (new window)

My favorite part about this whole thing is that Romney can't really be all that upset about it, lest someone bring up that this is a component of the Mass. healthcare law that he signed.

Aarontology: My faith requires me to do whatever I want, whenever I want, wherever I want.

I demand an exemption from the laws of the United States of America, or else the government is engaging in religious persecution.

Denying me this right is the same as slavery.

I might be interested in joining Church. Just to be clear, you are cool with public masturbation because that is like prayer for me?

propasaurus: Rubio must think he's got the VP nomination locked up.

this is the man who will deliver Florida to Romney on a silver platter.

Cover it up, Catholic.

tnpir: (Obama gets 350+ electoral votes against any of the three legitimate challengers, and easily 400+ against Santorum)

I would so love this to happen, but I was wondering if you have any poll numbers to back this up. I'd like something to point the people who tell me that Obama has no chance of winning because he already lost too many states from 2008.

tnpir: The entire conservative movement in the United States has gone all-in. They're heading for one of the most resounding electoral defeats in history this November (Obama gets 350+ electoral votes against any of the three legitimate challengers, and easily 400+ against Santorum) and Hurricane DERP is their last ditch effort to remain relevant before they're thrown into the dustbin of history once and for all.

God I hope I'm right.

the media will never let that happen. no matter how batshiat insane the GOP nominee, the election will be a squeaker.

TheDumbBlonde: Cover it up, Catholic.

Ah yes, here is TheDumbBlonde to, once again, display a stunning lack of any kind of understanding of the issue at hand.

WI241TH: so you want to become a sovereign citizen? (new window)

yes. My faith commands it.

mrshowrules: I might be interested in joining Church. Just to be clear, you are cool with public masturbation because that is like prayer for me?

Whatever you need to do to get in touch with the Powers is OK by us. In fact, we celebrate it!

cameroncrazy1984: TheDumbBlonde: Cover it up, Catholic.

Ah yes, here is TheDumbBlonde to, once again, display a stunning lack of any kind of understanding of the issue at hand.

Yes, being a practicing Catholic spares me from your street brawl. Thank goodness.

He's really trying hard for that VP spot with Romney I see.

TheDumbBlonde: cameroncrazy1984: TheDumbBlonde: Cover it up, Catholic.

Ah yes, here is TheDumbBlonde to, once again, display a stunning lack of any kind of understanding of the issue at hand.

Yes, being a practicing Catholic spares me from your street brawl. Thank goodness.

What does you being a practicing Catholic have to do with anything? Having to offer contraceptive services doesn't make you take contraceptives. Sorry that reality doesn't square with your martyrdom.

TheDumbBlonde: cameroncrazy1984: TheDumbBlonde: Cover it up, Catholic.

Ah yes, here is TheDumbBlonde to, once again, display a stunning lack of any kind of understanding of the issue at hand.

Yes, being a practicing Catholic spares me from your street brawl. Thank goodness.

Congratulations, you're part of the 2% of Catholic women that still thinks so.

MaudlinMutantMollusk: Never Rubio another man's rhubarb

Heh! I think I love you. :-D

Meh...I say give free abortions to all liberals.

Just wanted to point out that while the catholic argument is being paraded in front of the media, there's actually a bigger issue dealing with elective care and how to cover it.

Insurers are arguing that birth control is mostly used by choice and has no health benefit per se. They feel the same way about fertility treatments. Both are "medical in nature," but not necessarily a part of traditional care as defined by each states' essential health benefits. What they're getting at here is the viagra and plastic surgery argument. And there's a lot to argue about - both sides have some really good points.

Also at stake here and something nobody is really talking about is that "Obamacare" has essentially stripped the states of their power to define/mandate minimum benefits. A huge shift of power took place here and it has ramifications for all kinds of other industries.

While the catholic bashing thing is fun, there are actual issues here that might require your attention.

bradkanus: Also at stake here and something nobody is really talking about is that "Obamacare" has essentially stripped the states of their power to define/mandate minimum benefits. A huge shift of power took place here and it has ramifications for all kinds of other industries

Hey, when states drop the ball, the federal government has to step in.

Do thee doofuses have any idea what a country looks like that incorporates religion into every farking thing? Heard of Iraq? Iran? Afghanistan?

jehovahs witness protection: Meh...I say give free abortions to all liberals.

And miniature American flags to others...?

bradkanus: Also at stake here and something nobody is really talking about is that "Obamacare" has essentially stripped the states of their power to define/mandate minimum benefits. A huge shift of power took place here and it has ramifications for all kinds of other industries.

Your concern is duly noted.

Aarontology: My faith requires me to do whatever I want, whenever I want, wherever I want.

I demand an exemption from the laws of the United States of America, or else the government is engaging in religious persecution.

Denying me this right is the same as slavery.

drugs, prostitution, sex with kids, marrying kids
these are all things which are completely rational for some religions and should be completely legal ....
wait a sec, the government said no ??? HAHAHAHAH


anyone else notice that people are not arguing that a business could opt out of viagra, mental healthcare, FFS, ALL health insurance for religious reasons .... why not???

I believe in GOD!!! pray and you will be better
or fark off and work somewhere else with better benefits
LOL

Next thing you know they will tell Baptists to offer dance lessons (for therapeutic purposes).

James!: How about we completely disconnect health care from employment by I don't know, changing over to a single payer government program?

That would mean actually showing some concern for American lives. Republicans can't do that, especially when there's a black man in the White House.

TheDumbBlonde: Next thing you know they will tell Baptists to offer dance lessons (for therapeutic purposes).

Or telling Mormons they can only have one wife at a time

bradkanus: Just wanted to point out that while the catholic argument is being paraded in front of the media, there's actually a bigger issue dealing with elective care and how to cover it.

Insurers are arguing that birth control is mostly used by choice and has no health benefit per se. They feel the same way about fertility treatments. Both are "medical in nature," but not necessarily a part of traditional care as defined by each states' essential health benefits. What they're getting at here is the viagra and plastic surgery argument. And there's a lot to argue about - both sides have some really good points.

Also at stake here and something nobody is really talking about is that "Obamacare" has essentially stripped the states of their power to define/mandate minimum benefits. A huge shift of power took place here and it has ramifications for all kinds of other industries.

While the catholic bashing thing is fun, there are actual issues here that might require your attention.

It's not a question of them covering things with "no health benefit per se". Insurance companies are notorious for calling practically ANYTHING that doesn't actually stop immediate death "optional." They've argued over psychotropic medications in the past because they have "no health benefits", i.e. they don't have any measureable effect on a person's physical symptoms. They'll argue over how little medication is needed to ACTUALLY maintain blood pressure or cholesterol at tolerable levels. It took years to convince them that sports medicine and physical therapy had "health benefits" and then only because major league athletes and Olympic stars were using them.

So no, I don't agree that there are actual issues here. If a doctor thinks it's necessary, then it should de facto be a health benefit, and the burden should be on the insurance company to prove the patient won't be getting any benefit thereby.

Aarontology: My faith requires me to do whatever I want, whenever I want, wherever I want.

I demand an exemption from the laws of the United States of America, or else the government is engaging in religious persecution.

Denying me this right is the same as slavery.

My religion demands that gays be allowed to marry. Religious persecution!

cameroncrazy1984: My favorite part about this whole thing is that Romney can't really be all that upset about it, lest someone bring up that this is a component of the Mass. healthcare law that he signed.

Yes, because if there is one thing I admire Romney for, it is steadfastly sticking to his convictions.

bulldg4life: Why are we allowing an employer's religious views to be forced upon an employee's healthcare coverage?

Don't all Abrahamic religions recognize situations in which slavery is condoned? Obviously, they shouldn't be subject to minimum wage, workplace safety, worker's compensation, or other labor laws, either.

bradkanus: Also at stake here and something nobody is really talking about is that "Obamacare" has essentially stripped the states of their power to define/mandate minimum benefits. A huge shift of power took place here and it has ramifications for all kinds of other industries.

Well, Arizona did institute their own version of Death Panels 2 years ago.

It could be that legislators will change their minds and decide to renew funding for the life-saving transplant operations that had been eliminated for some AHCCCS patients. (new window)

They didn't change their minds and a few people have already died because of it.

I'll take a national policy that guarantees coverage over a state policy that denies because ... of something or other.