FTFA: Wallace pressed McConnell on how Republicans would provide coverage to the millions of people who are uninsured.

"That is not the issue," McConnell said. "The question is how you can go step by step to improve the American healthcare system. It is already the finest healthcare system in the world."

This is how out-of-touch you are, GOP.

Just read that a few times. Look at it. LOOK AT IT.

Coco LaFemme: Can someone name for me a current Republican who is NOT utterly repugnant? Because I'm coming up blank.

Barack Obama.

EnviroDude: Lorelle: Wallace pressed McConnell on how Republicans would provide coverage to the millions of people who are uninsured.

"That is not the issue," McConnell said.

That IS the issue, you out-of-touch fool.

No, the issue is that if you can't afford the premiums, how will you pay the deductibles.

Get rid of private insurance companies, and that becomes much less of a problem.

The very fact that a whole, private industry exists to profit off of peoples' sickness and death is disgusting. The fact that so many people in our government will fight to the death to protect these vultures is barbaric.

LordJiro: The very fact that a whole, private industry exists to profit off of peoples' sickness and death is disgusting.

I don't really have a problem with people profiting from others' misery, per se. A lawyer profits when others have legal problems, the guy who replaced my car window profited from my car having been broken into, the folks who make my deodorant profit from the pain of those who have to endure my manly stench. None of this troubles me in the least.

What bothers me is the tens of thousands of people who profit from others' sickness and death, yet do absolutely nothing that helps keep people alive and healthy.

Enuratique: Smackledorfer: The new talking point of my coworkers has been that tons of businesses are all going to drop their insurance. Nobody can explain why. What's the basis of this talking point?

My guess is that their logic is as follows (numbers strictly arbitrary):

The fine per employee per month for not offering health insurance is $100 whereas the cost of providing health insurance is $600 per employee per month. A savings of $500 per employee per month!

The extra stupid part of that talking point is that it overlooks the fact that no employer is required to provide health care coverage now. If it's cheaper to pay the penalty than provide insurance, why do I have insurance now, when there is no penalty?

In related news, republicans have completely abandoned anything remotely like reason or logic and are just flailing aimlessly at whatever a democrat tosses out.

It's like playing with a cat using a laser pointer at this point. These idiots will chase after anything they see because they've just gone completely off the deep end. And when your initial postulates don't make any sense and are supported only by lies, it's really only a matter of time before you become hopelessly lost in a maze of your own dishonesty like the conservatives are right now with Obamacare.

Yakk: FTFA Wallace pressed McConnell on how Republicans would provide coverage to the millions of people who are uninsured. "That is not the issue," McConnell said.

That's a pretty farking big issue.

There is one word that defines the Republican party perfectly: contempt.

They have nothing but contempt for Americans everywhere. They don't think they're smart enough to figure out the scam that the Republican Party has been running, nor do they think they have to actually defend their positions to us. Why? Because we're the little people, the 99% who make this nation run, and we should be goddamn honored to be allowed to live in poverty here. After all, we all got fridges, right? That's good for a good old wage slave!

McConnell is now doing the same thing to Obamacare because, deep down, he and the rest of the Republicans think they're the gentry: they have some innate ability to rule over us like some farking Gods and we better like it because if we don't, we're against God/America/The Constitution/nebulous symbols and that means we're evil/gay/wrong or whatever. At the very heart of this is contempt: contempt for people who exist and have the indecency of being poor or somehow not part of this stupid elitist clique full of ugly, hateful jackasses who simply don't get what their job is supposed to be. Seriously, look at the Republican Party's important issues of the day:

Gas prices? Nope, only good for attacking the President.

Health insurance? Nope, same as above and we should be thankful we get to die in America.

Economy? Wage fairness? Higher minimum wage? See above, and you're a communist because you just are and fark you for wanting wages that reflect the ability to live in this country.

And people back this because they think they're up there with the Republican elitism: sad people living in hovels and on the dole who are so bigoted that they would readily back someone who shares none of their views simply because if the president is black it means they have been easily led, WHICH THEY HAVE BEEN FOR AN INCREDIBLE AMOUNT OF TIME. Odd how people who claim to live by the Bible never got past Pride, but here we go. It's just an ongoing thing with Republicans: contempt for everybody else, and give them more money so they can continue being angry, rotten excuses for people. The fact that they are losing simply because they cannot deal with Obama's skin color is so hilarious that it might just prove there is a higher power who has the best sense of humor ever, yet hates Republicans in every shape or form.

When Obama is reelected, I want McConnell to be haunted by his 'one-term' comment for the whole of time. Along with being a pathetic turtleman with no penis.

You know, this all boils down to the simple fact the GOP can't call Obama a "The sheriff is a N." And what's happening is they are using so much cognitive energy avoiding calling him "The Sheriff is a N" that it makes the rest of their logical functions lose power.

During the negotiations the GOP could have gotten anything they wanted, the Dems were the chubby girl with low self-esteem at the prom, eagerly willing to go A2M with you if you would just pose for the stupid portrait. They could have made the Bush Tax Cuts permanent, they could have gotten the tort reform they always wanted. They could have been drilling in ANWAR now. Invaded Iran. Anything.

Instead all they have is 90% of the Health Care Reforms they've been championing since 1992.

"That's not the issue" == we have absolutely no intention of helping the tens of millions of you without insurance... economically speaking, you're better off dead.

This party wants me dead, but they'd like me to vote for them first.
At least the dems only try to get my vote after I'm dead.

Smackledorfer: The new talking point of my coworkers has been that tons of businesses are all going to drop their insurance. Nobody can explain why. What's the basis of this talking point?

the law says that every business that employs over 50 people will have to provide coverage.

CaptainCliche: StoneColdAtheist: Coco LaFemme: Can someone name for me a current Republican who is NOT utterly repugnant? Because I'm coming up blank.

A not-crazy Republican...

You must not live in California.

Well, he's not crazy, but incompetent for sure.

/Moonbeam ain't any better.

Ah-nold was competent. But he was a Republican in a heavily Democratic state, which was enough to ensure he was ineffectual. Remember, DEMOCRATS elected The Governator.

OTOH, Moonbeam is not only competent, but effective as well. I call it the "Nixon effect". Just as the old commie hater Nixon could make peace with China without raising hackles, Moonbeam can pass along the bad news about cutbacks and the unions just nod and say, "Yup, it's painful but it gots to be done." Wait and see, in 5 years Cali will be bursting at the seams.

Mitt Romney's Advice For ObamaCare: Look At RomneyCare

But in a July 2009 op-ed in USA Today Romney thought the President could learn a thing or two from the plan he signed into law in Massachusetts, including using the individual mandate as an incentive for people to buy insurance.


Wow looks like he was for it before he was against it!

theorellior: thornhill: I cannot wait until this question comes up in the Presidential debate.

Don't hold your breath.

LordJiro: The very fact that a whole, private industry exists to profit off of peoples' sickness and death is disgusting. The fact that so many people in our government will fight to the death to protect these vultures is barbaric.

This.

What's so odd and sad is that when I was a wee lass, insurance was not this horrible. You went to the doctor, paid your (small) office fee, and insurance handled the rest. It's easy to pinpoint when things started getting out of control: When we went over to managed care. As soon as HMOs and PPOs had the right to tell doctors what THEY thought was necessary and what wasn't, and what medications THEY felt should be on their "formularies" and which ones were not...then things started spiraling out of control.

Get these for-profit companies out from between doctors and insurance companies, and I bet things would improve dramatically.

make me some tea: thornhill: The video that's out there of him praising the mandate is absolutely damning. Here he is talking about how taxation will be used as a penalty.

I've seen him trying to turn it into a states' rights thing, but I haven't seen that gain much traction.

His explanation reeks of bullshiat to such an extent that even republicans are having a hard time stomaching it, although I would guess they'll choke it down eventually. Independent voters, on the other hand, will likely see the patent insincerity for what it is. If he was smart he would drop his opposition to health care reform and try to take credit for it, as he would actually have a semi-legitimate argument if he took that route, but he doesn't want to rile up the base. At this point his only hope is for the economy to crash again, and even then the election wouldn't be a sure thing. Still, I pretty much expect the republicans to do their level best to burn this country to the ground in the next few months.

Ambivalence: Wow. That's the first time I"ve heard a republican come right out and say that 30million uninsured people ISN'T the problem. And that they basicly have no intention to do anything about it.

Wow, thats.....wow.


What you're missing is how this quote will be filtered to the GOP base. The "uninsured" are actually poor, minority welfare babies who take your money and spend it on things that minorities spend their money on, like alcohol, cigarettes and abortions. "Obamacare" is really just a way that poor minorities can continue to not work and take money from hard-working people to spend on black and Mexican things.

When all you hear is ^^^^ as the message, "Obamacare" sounds like a really bad idea, and you don't care too much about the 30Million uninsured living in this country. They should just get a job, after all.

How about they institute a cap for how much procedures, tests, medications, and incidentals cost in the health care system?

Cost of medical procedures by country.

See those red dots on the far right of the graphs? Those would be American costs. They're almost all 50-150% more expensive than most other countries, including Canada. Maybe if they followed the Hippocratic Oath more closely rather than relying on the Capitalistic Oath, the Affordable Care Act would actually be *gasp* affordable.

EnviroDude: Lorelle: Wallace pressed McConnell on how Republicans would provide coverage to the millions of people who are uninsured.

"That is not the issue," McConnell said.

That IS the issue, you out-of-touch fool.

No, the issue is that if you can't afford the premiums, how will you pay the deductibles.

If I could manage an affordable premium, I'd be saving enough to meet my deductible. Having to pay $600/mo for premiums pretty well means I don't have the reserve to handle a $5000 annual deductible.

Drop my payments down to $200/mo, and I can manage to meet my deductible, thank you very much.

hinten: But you don't think that 30-million uninsured is an issue?" Wallace asked.

McConnell responded that Republicans were not going to turn the American healthcare system into a "Western European system. That's exactly what's at the heart of Obamacare."


What's wrong with the Western European healthcare system? And if there is something wrong with it, what is the proposal to create a better one?

Actually, the LAST thing we want to do is emulate West Europe's austerity policies.

But, try not to point that out while standing too close to The Talking Turtle, lest his skull explode in a fit of WHARRGARBL.

Hobodeluxe: Enuratique: Smackledorfer: The new talking point of my coworkers has been that tons of businesses are all going to drop their insurance. Nobody can explain why. What's the basis of this talking point?

My guess is that their logic is as follows (numbers strictly arbitrary):

The fine per employee per month for not offering health insurance is $100 whereas the cost of providing health insurance is $600 per employee per month. A savings of $500 per employee per month!

they don't pay 600 a month per employee for insurance.. they just have to make it available for purchase and deduct from payroll. the employee still pays for it.

They also don't pay on a flat per-employee rate. No large company is paying $600 per employee on premiums, even if they cover most of each employee's premium. Just like with anything else, you get a bulk discount (if that's the right term). Large companies get breaks for the package PPOs they offer.

Also, let's not forget that employees with healthcare are healthier, take fewer sickdays (which cost the company in lost productivity), have to take fewer days off to care for their sick kids and/or spouses, and in general are happier without the constant strain of worrying about what will happen if they get sick.

LibertyHiller: Smackledorfer: The new talking point of my coworkers has been that tons of businesses are all going to drop their insurance. Nobody can explain why. What's the basis of this talking point?

Those fine, upstanding folks at McKinsey have been whispering in the ears of the press corps.

Funny, I read that as good news. Lets decouple insurance from employers all together. Once the bulk of Americans are buying their own plans at least some shred of competition may re-enter. A catastrophic plan combined with finding a PCP that doesn't soak you might work (assuming prescription meds go down in price, maybe medical tourism can take care of some of that too).

Wallace pressed McConnell on how Republicans
would provide coverage to the millions of people who
are uninsured.
"That is not the issue," McConnell said. "The question
is how you can go step by step to improve the
American healthcare system. It is already the finest healthcare system in the world."

Yeah biatch, it IS the issue - me and a few million other Americans are one medical emergency/car accident/shiat happens away from bankruptcy.

hubiestubert: GhostFish: The GOP doesn't have a plan. The mandate is the only feasible option that does the job without going as far to the left as single payer or universal health care. The only thing that they can champion is going back to what we had before. Good luck with that, assholes.

More, the mandate was the GOP's idea. Which they conveniently keep forgetting to mention.

The mandate is there, because it means that the insurance industry ISN'T frozen out of health care. The current screaming about it is sort of funny, because it was written in so it could pass, and their bestest buds in the industry wouldn't throw them to the wolves. It is a HUGE giveaway to the industry, instead of becoming its death knell, and for all the screams and wails, it's just so much Br'er Rabbit howling not to the throw the country up in that briar patch...

OMG DAS RACIZM!!1

But seriously, way to make a successful, "Song of the South" reference. In this day and age, no small feat. Also, your point is well made.

Enuratique: Smackledorfer: The new talking point of my coworkers has been that tons of businesses are all going to drop their insurance. Nobody can explain why. What's the basis of this talking point?

My guess is that their logic is as follows (numbers strictly arbitrary):

The fine per employee per month for not offering health insurance is $100 whereas the cost of providing health insurance is $600 per employee per month. A savings of $500 per employee per month!

So why do employers provide health insurance now when the fine is $0 ?

Rev. Creflo Baller: Enuratique: Smackledorfer: The new talking point of my coworkers has been that tons of businesses are all going to drop their insurance. Nobody can explain why. What's the basis of this talking point?

My guess is that their logic is as follows (numbers strictly arbitrary):

The fine per employee per month for not offering health insurance is $100 whereas the cost of providing health insurance is $600 per employee per month. A savings of $500 per employee per month!

The extra stupid part of that talking point is that it overlooks the fact that no employer is required to provide health care coverage now. If it's cheaper to pay the penalty than provide insurance, why do I have insurance now, when there is no penalty?

I may be wrong, but I think there's a provision in the new healthcare law that requires small businesses over 50 employees in size to provide health insurance. Perhaps that's what they're crowing about.

The GOP doesn't have a plan. The mandate is the only feasible option that does the job without going as far to the left as single payer or universal health care. The only thing that they can champion is going back to what we had before. Good luck with that, assholes.

devek: Coco LaFemme: Can someone name for me a current Republican who is NOT utterly repugnant? Because I'm coming up blank.

Barack Obama.

^ This.

Obama's policies are the more reasonable Republican policies of the last few decades. The kind of policies the modern Republican abandoned when they catered to the fundies, racists and Randroids. Which is why it's so farking hilarious when the Teabaggers call Obama a 'liberal'.

Although I guess even Obama looks liberal when your party is as extreme-right wing as the Republicans.

Coco LaFemme: Can someone name for me a current Republican who is NOT utterly repugnant? Because I'm coming up blank.

A not-crazy Republican...

Pharque-it: So now car insurance is a tax?

People find out every day just how much of a tax car insurance is when they are pulled over by the highway patrol and can't prove they have it.

"Failing to show proof of financial responsibility, meaning insurance coverage, is a violation of California Vehicle Code Section 16029. Violating this code could result in fines up to $500 plus penalties, impoundment of the vehicle and suspension of the driver's license. If the vehicle is impounded the owner will have to pay for all storage and tow charges as well.

The consequences can be far more serious if you are involved in an accident and do not have insurance. You may have to comply with the financial responsibility laws (SR22, SR22s, SR16) including having to pay for any injuries or damages from the accident out of your own pocket.

Being caught driving without car insurance is likely to cost you twice as much as what you would have spent for one year of auto insurance." [Source]

Coco LaFemme: Can someone name for me a current Republican who is NOT utterly repugnant? Because I'm coming up blank.

Uhm.....that one guy...no, wait. And, uh...no. Oh I know...no, not them.

They are farking nuts. Every last one of them. They really want to ruin the nation, line their pockets with cash, and let everyone else die.

Smackledorfer: The new talking point of my coworkers has been that tons of businesses are all going to drop their insurance. Nobody can explain why. What's the basis of this talking point?

Those fine, upstanding folks at McKinsey have been whispering in the ears of the press corps.

Satanic_Hamster: "That is not the issue," McConnell said. "The question is how you can go step by step to improve the American healthcare system. It is already the finest most profitable healthcare system in the world."

No it isn't you lying out of touch douche bag.


Better?

Dear Mitch McConnell,

Fark you. Step down, asshole.

Sincerely, fark you,

Herman B.

Dwight_Yeast: make me some tea: thornhill: I cannot wait until this question comes up in the Presidential debate.

That should be fun.

It's going to be really amusing to watch the polling numbers after the debates start.

The video that's out there of him praising the mandate is absolutely damning. Here he is talking about how taxation will be used as a penalty.

make me some tea: thornhill: I cannot wait until this question comes up in the Presidential debate.

That should be fun.

It's going to be really amusing to watch the polling numbers after the debates start.

Ed Finnerty: FTFA: Wallace pressed McConnell on how Republicans would provide coverage to the millions of people who are uninsured.

"That is not the issue," McConnell said. "The question is how you can go step by step to improve the American healthcare system. It is already the finest healthcare system in the world."

This is how out-of-touch you are, GOP.

Just read that a few times. Look at it. LOOK AT IT.

They have to keep repeating that line even though it is blatantly wrong, but if they tell themselves and their stupid followers they believe it. Then the followers can easily accept that its impossible for someone not to get the best healthcare in the world if they just tried.

Lorelle: Wallace pressed McConnell on how Republicans would provide coverage to the millions of people who are uninsured.

"That is not the issue," McConnell said.

That IS the issue, you out-of-touch fool.

I love his response.

"But you don't think that 30-million uninsured is an issue?" Wallace asked.

McConnell responded that Republicans were not going to turn the American healthcare system into a "Western European system. That's exactly what's at the heart of Obamacare."

What a Western European system may look like:

Oh I love this particular gem:

Host Chris Wallace pointed out that Romney, while governor of Massachusetts, championed a healthcare law that also relied on an individual mandate.

"If the Obama mandate is a tax on the middle class, isn't the Romney mandate a tax on the middle class?" Wallace asked.

"I think Gov. Romney will have to speak for himself on what was done in Massachusetts," McConnell replied.