The title of this latest blog could mean many things. But for me today, it means the start of the government takeover of the best health care system in the world. Now I understand most of the most heinous aspects of the bill don't start for a while, but it's the law now, and that's the hard part.
Some provisions aren't that bad, like preventing insurance companies from denying people their coverage based on pre-existing conditions. Except for children. Somehow, insurance companies can still deny children based on those pre-existing conditions. I can hear a collective "oops" from the Democrats in Washington, D.C. Not to worry. I'm sure the president will issue an executive order that will fix everything.
By the way, the fact that the president issued an executive order to prevent any federal funds from covering abortions is a joke. You see, Bart Stupak & Friends were pledging to vote "No" because they knew that the language in the Senate bill wasn't strong enough to prevent federal monies from funding abortion. Federal subsidies were going to go to private insurance plans that covered abortions. The private and federal funds are supposed to be kept separate from each other, most likely by the same government accountants that made it so that I won't get a check from Social Security when I retire.
But Obama fixed everything when he issued his executive order, right? Not so fast. It doesn't take a constitutional scholar to remind us that executive orders don't trump federal statutes. If you think they do, than you concede that the president can make laws. Again, with any basic knowledge of the constitution, you know that only congress can make laws (and amendments to them). The president can only choose to sign them into law or reject them. He cannot change them! So the executive order was nothing more than a political ploy to get votes.
The Dems in congress did what ever it took to get votes. In the Senate, we had the Cornhusker Kickback and the Louisiana Purchase. In the House, Dennis Kucinich was invited aboard Air Force One for a "friendly" meeting with the president and Bart Stupak was given a significant grant for three airports in his district 2 days before the House vote. Both members changed their vote from "No" to "Yes" after their bribes. (Maybe that's why Stupak changed his vote; it's better for him politically to hide behind the president's executive order rather than a blatant bribe.) There were many other incidents of arm twisting that guaranteed that Pelosi would have the necessary votes to pass health care. All this was done despite numerous polls that told us the majority of the American people didn't want Obama's health care reform bill.
Now, unless you've only watched CNN and read the NY Times, you are aware of these and other injustices involved in the passage of Obama's health care reform. Here are the top 5 of these that get my blood boiling:
- This law lays additional taxes on companies. Those companies will either cut wages or lay off workers and they certainly won't hire more workers. This will ensure that our economic "recovery" will be a jobless recovery, which isn't a recovery at all.
- This law provides for federal funding of abortion. Federal subsidies will go towards both private and government insurance plans and as I said before, how can we be sure that the money will be kept separate. Also, the bill provides funds to go to certain health centers, one of which is Planned Parenthood, and if you don't know about them, they love elective abortions.
- This law caps flexible spending accounts (FSA) at $2,500. Let me explain how this isn't good. My wife is diabetic, and we spend well over that amount on her diabetes supplies. Once our FSA is capped we will end up spending more in taxable income. Because of this, our adjustable gross income will increase, and we will pay more in income taxes. And here I am thinking that I would be safe from tax increases.
- This law affects all Americans, except those that choose to exempt themselves from the very legislation they championed as "historic" and forced down our throats despite the American people shouting at the top of their lungs, "WE DON'T WANT IT!" That's right, the Obama administration and the Congressional leadership and their staff don't have to participate. How convenient for them. But they know what's best for us, right?
- This law mandates that every American have health insurance. If you don't have have it, you must by it. If you don't you face being fined by the IRS. Wait a second, since when in this country are we forced to buy something or face a fine? What's next, grocery store reform? All grocery stores in the country will soon need to be government approved and we will be required to purchase items from a government shopping list or be fined.
Be sure to check out "20 Ways ObamaCare Will Take Away our Freedoms," an article from Investors.com. For every loss of freedom, the author cites a particular section of the bill. It's real stuff, folks.
Because of all this, I support the attorneys general from 8 states challenging the constitutionality of this law and I support the Republicans efforts to repeal and replace this bill. It was NEVER about health care reform. It was and is about growing the power of the government over the people, crushing the entrepreneurial spirit of this country and creating a cradle-to-grave society where the American people have to depend on the government. That is what they want- NOT true health care reform.
Anyway, don't mind me, I'm just rambling.
