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Article Source: Talking Points MemoMaryland physician Andy Harris (R) just soundly defeated Frank Kratovil, one of the most endangered Democrats on Capitol Hill going into the November election. And he did it in large part by railing against 'Obamacare' and pledging to repeal Health Care Reform.
But when he showed on Capitol Hill today for an orientation for incoming members of Congress and their staffs, he had a different question: Where's my government health care?
Harris created a stir at the orientation meeting by demanding to know why he had to wait a month after he was sworn in in January for his government-subsidized health care to kick in.
Do any of the Republicans even get it? They criticize Obama care with the big nasty "S" word for right wingers, SOCIALISM. It is allegedly a mortal sin for citizens to get entitlements, the "E" word. That is allegedly what all of those people with the big nasty "L" word attached to them want. Ooopsie, then a 180 degree about face. I would attach my big nasty "H" word to that, HYPOCRISY. And that's got the "F" bomb attached to it.
All of those Republicans that will sanctimoniously criticize Liberals and their entitlements are getting free medical, dental, hair cuts, manicures, etc... as perks of their job. So how is it socialism for the rest of America and wrong, but not socialism when they do it when it is allegedly right?
They also allegedly are anti spending, so why don't they give up their perks and become like millions of Americans, UNINSURED. Most people that make that kind of money can afford out of pocket premium health care.
OMG, this should be front page news for everyone and anyone who foolishly believes that the Republicans work in their interest AND who need proof that Americans want health care reform.
BTW, send this dufus to see John Boehner, who said he never met an average person who wanted a public option. These two could have an interesting conversation, considering they are both Redumblicons.
To Andy Harris: Enjoy paying for overpriced COBRA coverage because your ilk were to frigging ignorant to implement a solution to the exact problem you're having now. Hypocritical jackass...
If you were elected you would want to know also...you be thanking God that you did not have to take Obamacare instead.
See Billy, I know you have no interest in facts, however this comment shows how amazingly ignorant you are of the truth. If you have a job that gives you health coverage, "Obamacare" is nothing to you more than a set of new regulations that stop your insurer from screwing you over. However, if you're like the moron who's the subject of the article and have no insurance coverage, "Obamacare" would be the difference between potential financial ruin and/or not being able to pay for the care of a loved one.
Andy Harris epitomizes the typical Republican and Tea Party philosophy; it's OK (and even necessary) for others to do without or suffer as long as they, the priviliged, don't have to.
Everyone in Congress should lose their health care until everyone in America is covered. Why should I as a taxpayer be forced to pay for their insurance? Almost everyone in Congress is a millionaire. Certainly they can afford to insure themselves.
Billy: Newsflash. It is Obamacare. He, and all other reps are covered by a health insurance system upon which Obamacare is modeled. Their health insurance is covered by the same laws.
Comment collapsed by the communityIt must be so easy to be a GObstructP Politician. You're supporters are such morons they don't even care that you are a total hypocrite. Just as long as you are mouthing the right words.
"Obamacare, Mama Grizzly, Socialist, Communist... Free Market... Liberty... Freedom... Capitalism..."
It's like pandering to Pavlov's dog.
From HR 3590 the Enrolled final Health Care Law. Sec. 1312 Consumer Choice (Page 65 of the PDF version.)
(D) MEMBERS OF CONGRESS IN THE EXCHANGE.—
(i) REQUIREMENT.—Notwithstanding any other provision of law, after the effective date of this subtitle
the only health plans that the Federal Government may make available to Members of Congress and congressional staff with respect to their service as a Member of Congress or congressional staff shall be health plans that are—
(I) created under this Act (or an amendment made by this Act); or
(II) offered through an Exchange establishe under this Act (or an amendment made by thi Act).
(ii) D
EFINITIONS.—In this section:
(I) M
EMBER OF CONGRESS.—The term ‘‘Member of Congress’’ means any member of the House of Representatives or the Senate.
(II) C
ONGRESSIONAL STAFF.—The term
‘‘congressional staff’’ means all full-time and parttime employees employed by the official office of a Member of Congress, whether in Washington, DC or outside of Washington, DC.
What a joke. Can somebody remind him that most of us in the real world have to wait a year after taking a new job to get any benefits. Now Harris wants to start getting benefits before he has even showed up for work. He is not even on the payroll yet.
According to an unnamed congressional staffer quoted by Thrush, Harris stood up at the meeting "and asked the two ladies who were answering questions why it had to take so long, what he would do without 28 days of health care."
Umm, get a COBRA extension from your previous employer just like the rest of us.
he only health plans that the Federal Government may make available to Members of Congress and congressional staff with respect to their service as a Member of Congress or congressional staff shall be health plans that are—
(I) created under this Act (or an amendment made by this Act); or
(II) offered through an Exchange established under this Act (or an amendment made by this Act).
This just means that the insurance has to comply with the Act, which Congress' private health insurance does. In any case, even if you were to conclude it says that Congress has to get insurance off the Exchange, the provisions regarding the Exchange have not taken effect yet. It does not yet exist.
Everyone in Congress should lose their health care until everyone in America is covered.
Senator Sherrod Brown doesn't enroll in his government health care insurance for this very reason - the principle of the thing.
Not a single Republican has shown similar principles.
Do as Republicans say not as they do. He has his now and thats all that matters to him.
This just means that the insurance has to comply with the Act, which Congress' private health insurance does. In any case, even if you were to conclude it says that Congress has to get insurance off the Exchange, the provisions regarding the Exchange have not taken effect yet. It does not yet exist.
This is true, however many people believe that Congress has a special exemption from the law or has some sort of special health care plan. Congress has the Federal Employees Health Plan just like all other Federal employees. The truth is the federal employees health care plan is just like any number of plans for large corporations. It is a good plan for which they pay approximately 30% of the total premium cost. However, there is nothing special about it, nor do they have an exemption from the ACA.
Arrogant elitists and their deaf, dumb, and blind true-to-the-blue right-wing apologist followers. Like so many FOX mesmerized mice blindly following their oh so short bus special political pied pipers all the while marching to a Teabagged tune promising our nation's ultimate failure.
Ain't they just a HOOT??
If it isn't in economics it's in medical care, if it isn't in earmarks it's in deficit spending; grand high hypocrisy alloyed by marriage to single-minded stupidity and shear willful ignorance.
It's like pandering to Pavlov's dog.
The job of a "conservative" politician is just that easy... just play the right tune and nothing else matters; the well conditioned will slavishly support you.
Typical politician by the end of the month he will buy a piece of land and throw a horse on it and then get farm subsidies. These are the socialists people need to worry about the ones that take stuff only for themselves and their friends.
..or he'll throw five cows on it, cut a little brush and pretend it's a ranch.
amazing a republican would feel the such a need to respond to this that they would make such an insanely stupid comment like billywitchdoctor did.
Sure most of us would rather have the health care in congress than obamacare, or EVEN THE HEALTH CARE WE GET AT WORK. Pretty much everyone would want the health care that congress gets over just about any health care we could buy.
Yes most of us would like single payer health care.. BUT YOU REPUBLICANS ARE SUPPOSED TO BE AGAINST ALL THIS. How about walk the walk and deny the government provided health care. How about putting your heart and wallet were your mouths are. And saying "I dont believe in socialized health care and despite the government offers me socialized health care, I am going to buy health care for me and my family, on the private market, the american way, just like most of america has to do"
and you know that would be one republican, that while I would still disagree with him, I would actually respect him.
But like all the republicans I have seen in washington, he is just another of hundreds of lying hypocrits.
Have a nice day billywitchdoctor.. sorry this republican congressman embarrassed you so much.
Jorge: The exemptions are IN THE LAW. Companies are not exempted from the law, the exemptions are in the law to address particular factual situations to protect people from having their health insurance terminated. Do you consider 100 exemptions out of the hundreds of thousands of employers that provide health insurance a large number? Really?
Dear Mr Harris,
Per your request, we embarked on an expedited application process in order that you may receive the health insurance coverage afforded you as new member of Congress.
Unfortunately, during the normal application process we uncovered a pre-existing condition that will make it impossible to extend the benefit of medical coverage to you at this time.
As a physician we are sure you are aware of the great number of ill or infirm people you come in contact daily. This contact, according to our actuarial tables, puts you at a significantly higher risk than the average person for contracting any number of diseases.
We would direct you to the Washington D/C. area Health Insurance Exchange in order that you may take advantage of the services they provide to obtain coverage.
Unless, of course, you have repealed the legislation that created the exchanges. In which case you are @!$%#-out-of-luck.
Sincerely,
Mr Big - Big insurance Company Inc.
P.S. If you are in need of medical care going forward, the Metro D.C. Emergency Trauma Center is mandated to provide assistance; from headache to loss of limb (or mind).
Too funny.
Yeah, if only it were. Interestingly enough, virtually every private sector JOB I've ever had, had similar restrictions. Makes one wonder how many REAL jobs he's worked in his life, and how foolish those who voted for him are (especially since the guy he beat voted AGAINST HCR).
I think it would be very appropriate that the people who have voted against health care reform for the American people, have campaigned and rallied against it, should not get government health care. They can deal with whatever we deal with because of their agenda. Tell this person, he need not worry. Health care will not be provided for him at all. I would love to see the look on his face at that moment.
Jimster... 1.27 Excellent post.
Comment collapsed by the communityBilly-witchdocter
Nice try there. I am not in any way discriminating against "the people". What happened here to personal responsibility? If this man does not want for the American people what he himself wants and expects then he should be quite willing to stand by his convictions and do without also. And if the others who voted against this and campaigned against this really meant what they were doing they would be quite eager to stand by their words and apply their convictions to themselves. The blast against the HCR was to get people to hate and fear something that would help them and hurt the insurers and the people in their pockets. The tirade had absolutely nothing to do with what was good for the American people. HCR while still needing improvement and advancement is one step forward and a step that has taken centuries to take. I did not see any Republicans caring at all whatsoever about your health insurance issues and problems when they had a chance to do anything because they did not want to do anything.
mountainmike-1199289, comment # 1.2:
“All of those Republicans that will sanctimoniously criticize Liberals and their entitlements are getting free medical, dental, hair cuts, manicures, etc... as perks of their job. So how is it socialism for the rest of America and wrong, but not socialism when they do it when it is allegedly right?”
Reminds me of the time when the “Cold War” was still in full swing and all you heard was the criticizing by the former Soviet KGB about the ‘decadent West’ and yet, behind the scenes, they lived rather lavishly, especially when compared to the “unwashed masses” of the Soviet Union and in similar style to the ‘decadent West”.
The similarities between the old KGB guard and the Republican/Tea Party Coalition of today are so striking I sometimes can’t help wonder if there ever really was a ‘Soviet Problem’.
Happily BLUE in Ohio, comment # 1.3:
“…this should be front page news for everyone and anyone who foolishly believes that the Republicans work in their interest…”
I couldn’t agree more and yet ‘they’ keep getting elected. Maybe there’s a masochistic streak in this country that I’m refusing to see. It’s going to be a long, tedious two years.
Shawn [a.k.a. “Shadow”], comment # 1.9:
“…the idea of keeping the masses in conflict with each other while they themselves rise to greater power is nothing new.”
I hear ya, pal. It’s the oldest military strategy in the book-“Divide and Conquer”.
This is sooo typical of hypocritical republicans. It's not, what can I do for the people, but, what's in it for me.
bonos_rama, comment # 1.23:
“...or he'll throw five cows on it, cut a little brush and pretend it's a ranch.”
That’s EXACTLY what Reagan did with his ‘ranch’ in Simi Valley, California for tax purposes. It worked, too. I remember reading an article in the L.A. Times about this and in the first year he employed it, he paid only $800.00 total tax on the property.
(It was now classified as a working ranch instead of private property,)
Wow! NO entitlement mentality HERE!! That's just plain old DISGUSTING! What am *I* going to do for (a whole) 28 days! OMG
Are liberals really confusing Job Benefits with Entitlements? Really? Do you guys actually see what you are arguing?
I'm against government spending, but if I get a job with the government I should turn down my wage? Is this honestly what you are arguing. Just when I thought the arguments couldn't get any worse...
Jesse---
Apparently you are in Arizona, where the sun is two feet off the ground. This is the same state that just voted for Jan Brewer AND medical marijuana (a combination I find to be rather odd)...So, I can understand why you would be confused. Let me help...
1. This Republican hasn't been sworn in yet...therefore, he isn't working there yet.
2. This Republican wants to collect his government socialized healthcare...after the Republicans just spent two years scaring the living hell out of people by making up crap about socialized medicine and death panels.
Perhaps you are unable to see the ridiculous nature of his demands, but the rest of us see it plenty.
Are liberals really confusing Job Benefits with Entitlements?
That's really not the point.
The point is he wants his government healthcare. It's ok for him, but not for everyone else.
Jorge: The exemptions are IN THE LAW. Companies are not exempted from the law, the exemptions are in the law to address particular factual situations to protect people from having their health insurance terminated. Do you consider 100 exemptions out of the hundreds of thousands of employers that provide health insurance a large number? Really?
Not to mention they're waivers, not exemptions. They will expire and/or have to be renewed - which will require a pretty damn good reason.
December 31 will mark the end of my healthcare because my employer doesn't offer insurance (can't afford it) and my husband's job says not enough people are enrolled so they're are cancelling our Kaiser Insurance, and offering a thing that's no better coverage than emergency room suppliments. In order to pay out of pocket, We'll have to skip a bill. My pay had already been cut by $144 per month this year because of the economy. I can't afford the decent coverage I had before. So where's MY healthcare?! You & the GOP, and some Dems as well, don't care. it didn't occur to you how urgent it is until you didn't have it, did it Dr. Harris? And you most likely still don't care about others like me.
Hypocrite they name is Republican what a freaking piece of work..
snb1930, comment # 1.45:
“December 31 will mark the end of my healthcare because my employer doesn't offer insurance (can't afford it) and my husband's job says not enough people are enrolled so they're are cancelling our Kaiser Insurance…”
This is exactly the situation that the ‘Public Option’ was intended to address.
Oh look it is the atypical newsviner getting there information from where else? Talking Points Memo. Its so nice to see how you all and TPM conveniently leave out the part of the Politico report that says:
Nix said Harris, who is the father of five, wasn’t being hypocritical – he was just pointing out the inefficiency of government-run health care.
Read more: http://www.politico.com/news/stories/1110/45181.html#ixzz15VEc0sBa
Everything else posted above is complete and total conjecture and is expected form you all.
But we have to leave that out right because it doesn't quiet fit in with your agenda huh?
Nice to see you all continue to Fail.
JM
This is exactly why I am no longer calling them "Tea-Baggers", I now prefer to call them "D-Baggers" , with a "D" as in "DOU*HE-BAG"!!
Oh look it is the atypical newsviner getting there information from where else? Talking Points Memo
Atypical would mean not typical, so you're complaining about viners not using TPM enough?
Nix said Harris, who is the father of five, wasn’t being hypocritical – he was just pointing out the inefficiency of government-run health care.
Bull@!$%#, this is a sad attempt at spinning the event. If he was trying to make a political statement, he failed miserably.
JonMavrick--
My uncle works for a Maryland Congressional Delegate and knows DOCTOR Harris. He also knows the country club attitude this guy has. I'm glad you are feeling so sorry for this wealthy, arrogant John's Hopkins DOCTOR Repbulican who hasn't been able to get his government run socialized healthcare BEFORE being sworn into office. The poor dear.
Inefficiency of government run healthcare? I suppose to the good DOCTOR, it's inefficient for him to wait until he's actually sworn in to the JOB first.
The poor poor doctor has to go a whole 27 days without HEALTHCARE! Not. He could buy a 30 day policy a thousand times over, even if he had 20 children....but he wants his FREE socialized medicine doesn't he. You know, that same kind of healthcare the Republicans spent two years CAMPAIGNING AGAINST? Yeah...that healthcare.
I AM the beneficiary of government run healthcare...MILITARY healthcare. Never once has any member of our family suffered from OUR socialized medicine. The care is good, the medicines work. I wanted a single payer system or public option for EVERYONE in the healthcare bill, but the Republicans crossed their arms, stuck out their bottom lip and refused. I'd even pay EXTRA TAXES to make that happen....but the party of dope said nope.
Now we ALL pay...except Dr. Harris. He'll still get his socialized medicine once he's sworn in.
That's reality.
If it was up to me, he wouldn't get any tax-payer provided health care. He makes enough money, now, to afford his own. As do all those in Congress.
#2 - Tue Nov 16, 2010 4:13 AM ESTBut, but, but ... The RepublicansTeaPartyiers are just fighting to make sure this country is the only civilized society with a democratic government that makes sure you go bankrupt if you get sick.
That's right, they can take your home, your retirement,, just to pay medical bills because you can't afford insurance.
He's a doctor? Some empathy he must have for his patients!! I feel sorry for them!
Back off!! He (doctor) just took the Hypocritical Oath: Do unto others, before they can do unto you.
His initials tell the story...AH. Poor people in MD 1st Congressional District...
Naahhh; let the bums KEEP their healthcare; ...I say let's do away with Congressional Pensions...just like THEY did with ours!!
#3 - Tue Nov 16, 2010 4:20 AM ESTI'm sure they are trembling at the idea. All they need to do is go work for a lobbying firm after their tenure in Congress and they will make far more than the pissant pension you want to take away. In fact, they will be more likely to do the bidding of those whom they intend to work for to pay for their retirement.
Don't bother "ducking"; the point went WAAYYY over your head...
No, in your rage you appear to have missed mine. Yours was abundantly clear.
What "rage"? I could not be more 'tongue in cheek" with you...and no; I didn't "miss" your point; just pointed out that it had nothing to do with mine...as even the initial comment was couched firmly with "tongue in cheek"...];-}
Here's a link to Harris' Positions...
http://www.keyhouseraces.com/content/spotlight-md-1st-congressional-district-0
BTW; do you work with Nylon-6?
I say let's do away with Congressional Pensions...just like THEY did with ours!
Excellent point. If the 401k-like retirement savings plan is good enough for civil servants, it ought to be good enough for Congressional officers, too.
You can bet they would be much more mindful of regulating Wall St. if they (and their pensions), faced the same risks as the rest of the working populace...
Congress didn't "do away" with pensions, they just enabled alternatives to exist. Your employer can certainly offer a defined benefit pension plan and there's nothing to stop them from doing so, but they have the option of offering a defined contribution plan and the overwhelming majority of employers go with that option because it costs the employer less in the long run. Employees have an advantage with defined contribution retirement plans because they are portable. Defined benefit pension plans are typically not portable so an employee leaving one company to work for another would typically lose most or all pension benefits.
The post referred to unregulated Stock Markets, and the fact that our Congress over the years has removed many of the curbing features put in place to prevent severe Market abuses...absent those controls, the market has returned to the "boom and bust" cycles of the depression era...
...that aside; many recent Rep. additions to Congress have advocated for the abolishing of Social Security; as though the money did not come from the working public in the first place; ...and was simply mis-appropriated by our Congress over the years...
Now putting that aside; surely you see the irony of this gentleman's position on Health Care for the general population; vs his take ("Why do I have to wait a month?"), on GOVERNMENT FUNDED Health Care when it is for him personally!?...
Congress didn't "do away" with pensions, they just enabled alternatives to exist.
I thought the poster was referring to federal worker pensions, which they did eliminate.
Agreed, but these seem to have been (weirdly) selective; rather than across the boards...
You're right Buckeye; if it's good enough for the rank and file; it ought to be good enough for those Congressional Office holders too...
You're right GA GUY...
if it's good enough for the rank and file; it ought to be good enough for those Congressional Office holders too...
Another prime GOP example of "Screw the public that where suppose to serve I'm in it for me". Just another Grand old Prick sneaking up behind the voters with a condom in one hand and a tube of KY in the other.
#4 - Tue Nov 16, 2010 4:22 AM ESTLook, the modern GOP's motto is I've got mine, @!$%# the rest of you. Why are we surprised when they apply it to themselves?
The sad part is that you guys think this is a GOP-only trend...this is typical Washington in all it's glory. The 'us vs. them' is not GOP vs. Democrat - it's Washington (have's) vs. America (have not's) and don't be mistaken, it doesn't matter which political animal is running the show.
Shawn
Only problem is the Dems have shown they care and will work to fix the problem while the GOP just wants us to bend over and enjoy the rape.
Members of congress should not get any benefits and the congressional salary should be held in escrow until each one authors and shepherds 1 piece of national solution-solving legislation into law.
Kind of a pay-per-performance program like the rest of have to contend with at our jobs. No performance [or value], no compensation! Americans can send trained monkeys to pull the lever for straight party-line voting records, and the monkeys might sound more reasonable on the Sunday morning political talk shows with the right script [or bananas].
I do not know about the rest of you, but, most of congress would have been fired from the company where I work.
#5 - Tue Nov 16, 2010 4:51 AM ESTLeftinTexas, comment# 5:
“…most of congress would have been fired from the company where I work.”
That pretty much sums it up for just about most of America. Before I went to school to be a Paralegal, I worked as a ‘heavy-truck’ and trailer mechanic. If you didn’t produce, if you couldn’t “keep those 18 wheels rollin’”, out the door you went.
Bull@!$%#. A lot of Congress consists of the owner's spawn. They can screw up however they wish and Daddy will find another employee to take the fall. Of those that aren't a fair number are employers, not employees. They wouldn't fire themselves.
Well, if you consider that our current crop of politicians seem to be lacking when it comes to a sense of humor (and therefore perspective), I'm not surprised that Harris is unable to see the irony in this.
#7 - Tue Nov 16, 2010 5:15 AM ESTWhat's really going to frost him is when he finds out that there is no "government-provided health care". The government is like any other employer - it pays a significant portion of the employee's health care premium (now about 72 - 75% depending on deductables, coverages, etc.) - but not the entire thing. The employee (in this case Rep. Harris) will still have to pay monthly premiums - just like anyone else. He'll have a choice of pay-for-services, HMO's, etc., just like anyone else.
Hey! Where's the free government health care that I thought I was going to get came here to fight?
#9 - Tue Nov 16, 2010 6:48 AM ESTit pays a significant portion of the employee's health care premium (now about 72 - 75% depending on deductables, coverages, etc.) - but not the entire thing
To quibble, I believe that 67% is covered by the government and the other 33% is out-of-pocket. But yeah, it's not free.
OK - I haven't looked at it in a while - I'm sure you have more recent information. I just get tired of folks like Rich (msg #1.17) who keep talking about "Congress' private health insurance" when there is no such thing. Sure, taxpayers contribute to Members' health insurance - but that's because taxpayers pay the salaries and benefits of all federal employees (for the most part) - not just Members of Congress.
I've corrected that same misconception several times, too. I usually refer them to the OPM website if they really want to know what they're talking about regarding Congressional health insurance plans.
I've worked in both arenas. When I worked for one private company, my health insurance was better and it cost less than the federal plans.
I live in Maryland and I will say I didn't vote for Harris..his ideas were too far-sided, as in too far ot the extreme edge, for my taste.
Looks like I was correct in my thinking.
LeftIn...I like your suggestion....maybe we can base the congressional salary on commission only. Say they get .1% commission for any bill that actually cuts costs and reduces the national debt. Good incentive..reduce the debt by a billion and get $1,000,000 commission. That should cover their costs for every ten years that it takes for congress to come up with worthwhile bills. That's about $100K/year. That's a salary cut of about $75K per year based on today's congressional pay scale.
Oh, the payment to the debt has to be immediate..none of this long term, 10-yr projection garbage.
#10 - Tue Nov 16, 2010 6:53 AM ESTThe Kravotil vs. Harris ads, shown here in Howard County even though we have nothing to do with their district, were just plain nasty. Mr. Harris represents the Eastern Shore and a small branch of Baltimore and Anne Arundel Counties (the district is horrendously gerrymandered). I would just as soon give the Eastern Shore to Delaware and be done with them.
Well I would not have voted for him either, but he also wasn't running in my district.
Hey... I agree with his teabag brain.... everyone needs healthcare!
#11 - Tue Nov 16, 2010 7:21 AM ESTHey at least he doesn't have to wait 90 or 180 days as many Americans do when an employer has a health plan.
#13 - Tue Nov 16, 2010 7:46 AM ESTAll government benefits for elected officials needs to be repealed. I personally dont want to pay some republican @!$%#s health insurance.
#15 - Tue Nov 16, 2010 8:20 AM ESTAll government benefits for elected officials needs to be repealed. I personally dont want to pay some republican @!$%#s health insurance.
I would agree with that.
Everyone of our elected reps who vote NO on healthcare should have their benefits removed immediately.
Its sort of Like the Way the Kennedys, Clintons, the Gores and the Obamas protect their income by using Tax shelters, write offs and deductions ...while attacking those who want their taxes cut..
Was it the clintons or the Gores who took a deduction for a pair of old underwear they donated a few years back?
#17 - Tue Nov 16, 2010 8:21 AM ESTIt's Republicans and Democrats alike, and the sooner more people begin to realize it the better we'll all be for it.
Was it the clintons or the Gores who took a deduction for a pair of old underwear they donated a few years back?
Was that bit of teabaggery from Limbaugh, Beck, FOX, or someone else working for the far right? Or all of them? Kind of hard to tell... it sounds just three day old fishy enough for'em all.
Onenative son
no it was from the CLINOTNS tax return they made public..
as REPORTED on by those "tea baggers" at the NYTIMES
http://www.nytimes.com/1994/04/16/us/clinton-taxes-laid-bare-line-by-line.html
In previous returns, when Mr. Clinton was the Governor of Arkansas and his wife was a partner in a Little Rock law firm, the Clintons had gone so far as to deduct $2 for underwear donated to charities. The deduction was ridiculed by comedians and pundits, and the White House did not itemize the Clintons' $17,000 in charitable contributions on the 1993 return.
Ooooh...
Evil Clinton and his $2 deduction!
"Say, Hill? How much should I say those silk boxers were worth?"
"I don't know Bill! Figure it out." *if I had two dollars for every damned question...* she finishes under her breath.
"hmm two bucks... say! that sounds about right.."
This is a tangent worthy of derailing the story of a Teabagger wanting his socialist healthcare but now!
I'm just so, so... well appropriately abashed. No wonder I smelled fish. Just another "conservative" Mt Kilimanjaro pushed up by dedicated effort out of a veritible mole hill of fact.
SSDD
Touche.
Same clntons who took 2 dollar deduction for underwear.....telling people who work their asses off for 300,000 a year they should pay hire taxes..
Same kennedies who use trusts and over seas shelter to protect their family fortune...telling others they need to pay hire taxes.
When Gore, kennedies, Clintons, etc stop taking their deductions, stop using shelters, and write offs and pay as much as they can in taxes they will stop being hipochrites on the tax issue.
he even asked if there was some way he could buy into the government care in advance, seemingly thinking there might be a government program similar to the so-called 'public option' championed by progressive Democrats in 2009.
This douche bag......of the other "bags" that got him elected won't care about this. They could care less what happens now...after all they got their landslide victory...thats all they wanted.
#19 - Tue Nov 16, 2010 9:59 AM ESTBlazing hypocrisy or incredible ignorance? Or both? I am more and more convinced as time passes that the distinguishing characteristic of most conservatives is that they just don't give a fig about anyone else but themselves and their immediate families, and sometimes not even the family. All others are perceived as threats to one's own wealth, power, and position.
#21 - Tue Nov 16, 2010 11:30 AM ESTThis is so typical of Republicans that it almost isn't worth commenting about.
#22 - Tue Nov 16, 2010 11:34 AM ESTMaybe there is a free clinic close by that he can go to? or go down to the County office and sign up for emergency medicaid coverage?
Thanks for the seed and laugh.
#23 - Tue Nov 16, 2010 11:45 AM ESTlol yes.... sit in line and bleed until a overworked staff can find time to see you.
I really should not make fun.... have had to visit them 2 times recently, both were fine in our town. It still makes the point.
Last year I was robbed at gunpoint and in the struggle I got a bullet bounced off my head - Hurt like you wouldn't believe but the real pain came after a trip to the MRI and 45 minutes of health care set me back the better part of 3 grand. The emergency room is not cheap and if you are uninsured you can be assured that you will only get enough care to still pass wind across your teeth and you are out the door - I was hurt badly enough that I could not find my way out of the hospital and I still get some awful headaches. I will never know if it could have been different with insurance but I notice my care cost more as an uninsured person and that if I were insured I probably would not have been sent off in less than an hour after trying to stop a bullet with my head. (BTW - Don't try this at home or anywhere else for that matter)
"... you will only get enough care to still pass wind across your teeth and you are out the door." That is simply not true. I represent hospitals and they provide millions of dollars of the best care to people brought in through their ER's who were uninsured and not eligible for government paid health insurance. Maybe this is what happened to you, but that is not typical.
I represent hospitals and they provide millions of dollars of the best care to people brought in through their ER's who were uninsured and not eligible for government paid health insurance
And where does that 'million of dollars' come from? From the same people who complain about 'socialized medicine.' They don't even realize socialized medicine ALREADY EXISTS and is provided on OUR TAX DOLLARS, they just want to make sure it isn't properly codified, so that hospitals and doctors GET the money they DESERVE, instead of barely scraping by.
rikwilldo... sorry for your mess and pain ..... I have been to the ER both ways, great insurance and dead broke with none, I received what I believe was the same level of care.
Two times at the ER uninsured .... one time I later made a deal for a lesser amount, the other time I applied and did get help threw a Charity program. .... both time treated with respect by the hospital.
I could barely walk out of the E.R. and trying to pay this off bit by bit has been difficult. I felt like the nurses were very good and helped calm me down (when they were carting me into the E.R. and I heard MRI I got scared - she held my hand and although I don't know who she was but that small gesture measured large in my eyes and yes - once stabilized - out the door after filling out paperwork) I have a great deal of respect for the medical profession but I felt that there was alot more that should have been done. And how do you deal with these guys for a lower bill?
Get the right person on the line or in person and ask for it, some Doctors have self pay rates as well. I am not a big fan of holding my hand out, but I had no choice.... at the time low income, I qualified as I said to be helped threw a charity fund, check into that as well... hope this helps.
I understand the feeling of having a hand holder.... you find kindness when you least expect it.
Just proof that practically none of the elected officials get it, regardless of party affiliation. I believe our current government state has been a long time coming, it's the result of being able to make politics and political office a career, and a lucrative one at that. Our elected officals have become leeches whose interests in continuing their careers and maximizing their pay and benefits are overriding any "service to the people/constituents". Senators and Congressmen just get paid too much money and get too many benefits for what they actually do...
#24 - Tue Nov 16, 2010 11:53 AM ESTServe 20 plus years in the military and all the little perks and bonuses (sarcasm) that outfit has to offer and then you too can enjoy what I consider to be the greatest benefit I have received for my honorable service.
#25 - Tue Nov 16, 2010 11:58 AM ESTOMG.......He is a total POS...I bet he is backed by the tobacco and wall-street lobbyists...
and that is why I always say never trust a repub....ever..
#26 - Tue Nov 16, 2010 11:59 AM ESTHere are some quotes from GOP Rep. Dr. Andy Harris' "op-ed" on Health Care Reform:
"...the health care "exchange," will bring down the actual out-of-pocket cost of insurance for those who have to buy their own, such as farmers, sole proprietors and small businesses. For those who still couldn't afford even the most basic plans, tax credit subsidies can be made available."
and his call for high-deductible catastrophic plans for those who can't afford/get private insurance:
"Expand the availability of high-deductible ("catastrophic") plans combined with roll- over Health Savings Accounts. These products could allow for substantially reducing the cost of everyday health care expenses, with those savings passed on to patients."
Sounds to me like he should buy a high deductible catastrophic private plan, open a Health Savings Account and/or visit the Maryland Insurance Exchange. If he cannot find private coverage, the great State of Maryland has a socialist government-run safety-net program set up for him. He can apply for it here:
#27 - Tue Nov 16, 2010 12:20 PM ESTYou're in Easy Mode. If you prefer, you can use XHTML Mode instead. |
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