Yes Nancy, apparently we did have to pass the bill to learn what’s in it
And what a learning curve it’s been.
This may come back to haunt the Democrats; I certainly hope so. We’re always told not to sign a contract without reading and studying every word. Well, HCR was one whopping big contract that the Democrats signed by proxy for the American people, on the advice of slick con artists Pelosi and Obama.
Under ordinary circumstances a great deal of time would have been taken for the task of designing a major bill with huge consequences for the public and the economy. But Obama and Pelosi and Reid couldn’t risk taking that time; they didn’t want the voters or the leaders’ Congressional underlings to read it and figure out what might actually happen as a result. So no real debate, no Republican input, and no care was taken. The bill seemed to spring fully-formed from some leftist bureaucratic Zeus’s head.
But all of the deliberation and conferencing that were bypassed for this law aren’t ordinarily entered into merely to create some nicey-nicey bipartisan cover, but to actually iron out legislation that might make sense, be coherent, and do what it’s intended to do. The lengthier and more deliberative process at least has a chance of protecting we the people from those who pass the laws on our supposed behalf. But the focus for this particular bill wasn’t so much on what it would say or what it would actually do to the public or the economy, but on constructing it in such a way as to game the CBO system and get the votes in Congress.
Now we discover embarrassments involving who may get subsidized and how much they will have to pay anyway (Althouse thinks Americans will “freak out” when they find out), who is exempt from paying the individual mandate penalty (hint: maybe Muslims), how the bill will hurt large corporations such as Caterpillar and Deere and AT & T and make them lay people off, and how much uncertainty the whole thing will add to the economy (economies don’t like uncertainty).
The WSJ says it warned the Democrats:
Turning over every couch cushion to make their new entitlement look affordable under Beltway accounting rules, Democrats decided to raise taxes on companies that do the public service of offering prescription drug benefits to their retirees instead of dumping them into Medicare. We and others warned this would lead to AT&T-like results, but like so many other ObamaCare objections Democrats waved them off as self-serving or “political.”…
What’s more, now that the CEOs are objecting, the Democrats would like them to shut up about it:
Democrats don’t like what their bill is doing in the real world, so they now want to intimidate CEOs into keeping quiet …
The Democratic political calculation with ObamaCare is the proverbial boiling frog: Gradually introduce a health-care entitlement by hiding the true costs, hook the middle class on new subsidies until they become unrepealable, but try to delay the adverse consequences and major new tax hikes so voters don’t make the connection between their policy and the economic wreckage. But their bill was such a shoddy, jerry-rigged piece of work that the damage is coming sooner than even some critics expected.
This highlights the abysmal economic ignorance of the Democrats in Congress, as well as that of our very own president. They don’t seem to recognize that there is a financial reality that cannot be stopped by spin and words (although spin and words can get bad legislation passed by “hiding the decline”), that once this bill is actually let loose on our gasping and choking economy there will be actual real consequences in the actual real world, and that these things will not be hidden or blocked by Obama going out on the road again to tell us, as he pisses on our leg, that in fact that wetness we’re feeling is just the gentle touch of a soothing rain.
[NOTE: You might call the revelations of these unintended economic consequences a kind of poetic justice—as in Kipling’s “Gods of the Copybook Headings“:
…
In the Carboniferous Epoch we were promised abundance for all,
By robbing selected Peter to pay for collective Paul;
But, though we had plenty of money, there was nothing our money could buy,
And the Gods of the Copybook Headings said: “If you don’t work you die.”Then the Gods of the Market tumbled, and their smooth-tongued wizards withdrew
And the hearts of the meanest were humbled and began to believe it was true
That All is not Gold that Glitters, and Two and Two make Four
And the Gods of the Copybook Headings limped up to explain it once more.As it will be in the future, it was at the birth of Man
There are only four things certain since Social Progress began.
That the Dog returns to his Vomit and the Sow returns to her Mire,
And the burnt Fool’s bandaged finger goes wabbling back to the Fire;And that after this is accomplished, and the brave new world begins
When all men are paid for existing and no man must pay for his sins,
As surely as Water will wet us, as surely as Fire will burn,
The Gods of the Copybook Headings with terror and slaughter return!]
on the advice of slick con artists Pelosi and Obama
I wouldn’t call them slick; they merely rammed the bill through by main force. Some con artists I encountered in academia could talk the birds down out of the trees. Sometimes I’d even catch myself starting to believe their prevarications regarding events at which I’d been present. They were so good that it sometimes took years before sophisticated people even realized they’d been conned.
Now that’s slick.
Occam’s Beard: true. With enough force you don’t have to be slick.
I will submit to Islam….
Will you all join me? And thus we are exempt from this monstrosity !
oh yes, my daughters are now Muslim too…
Bakava,
I think the Amish may be able to keep their traditional exemption from federal entitlement programs. I personally would go that route. Then you could keep bacon and sausage in your meal plans. I grew up in an area with lots of Mennonites, and I did my share of tomato canning erc as a kid. I could deal with that lifestyle.
Pelosi, Obama, and Reid really did pull a fast one including that phony CBO estimate of the $940 billion pricetag. The true costs need to include the doctor fix that coincidentally appears ready to be passed:
http://www.businessweek.com/news/2010-03-29/doctors-get-reprieve-from-21-decline-in-payments-from-medicare.html
So one week after passing the takeover of healthcare the bill that was supposed to save $100+ billion plus will now cost several hundred billion instead. Imagine what the final cost will be after 10 years. Who believes the CBO estimate will come even close to the true ceiling number?
“NewHam said…
“The dhimmi tax?”
Exactly.
They don’t call him Hussein for nothing, dear.
3/27/10 9:37 AM ”
I can’t stop wondering about the possibility of the mother of all class action lawsuits against the Dems for racketeering and fraud, followed with Obungler’s impeachment… Oh well, things just aren’t desperate enough yet, sadly, give it time….
Note to self….Get that application in at Home Depot or Waffle House before the wave of insurance people get there.
On Rush’s program today, Mark Steyn said the Homestead Act of 1862 which opened much of the west to settlement was written in two pages.
I can’t give up my computers to be Amish… Neither could my daughters..
“. . . these things will not be hidden or blocked by Obama going out on the road again to tell us, as he pisses on our leg, that in fact that wetness we’re feeling is just the gentle touch of a soothing rain.”
Great line. That’s my first belly laugh of the day.
If we take back even one house this November we will be able to conduct hearings where the architects of this monstrosity will be required to defend their malfeasance, or nonfeasance, before the dreaded cameras of C-Span.
We must spend our money supporting Republicans in vulnerable districts, and not trying to ‘scare’ Dems in safe districts like mine (Brad Sherman- CA 27), as much as I’d like to.
This will enable us to circumvent a fawning media and to collect some swell sound-bites for 2012, when we can send you-know-who to Jimmy Carterland.
Carefull, pointing out the muslims may be exempt. Or that Nancy turned us into dhimmis. Several days ago I pointed this out on an earlier post here about Nancy Pelosi and some commentor named “jay” called me a troll.
lol
I suspect the illegal aliens will be exempt also, but will still get the benefits…..
The working, traditional citizens are all second class now.
They are mistaken if they think the anger will subside.
This highlights the abysmal economic ignorance of the Democrats in Congress, as well as that of our very own president.
no no no… this doesnt highlight it, it sets the stage..
what highlights it is that Obama with Sarkozy in attendance to his right, claims that they are going to stop the boom and bust cycles (despite being the cause of them)…
that they are going to coordinate and there will be nothing but smooth progress… (to which i wanted to yell… to where?)
> (although spin and words can get bad legislation passed by “hiding the decline”)
You missed the link for that one, neo:
Hiding The Decline
Money quote:
State Treasurer Timothy P. Cahill, an independent candidate for governor, today offered a wide-ranging and scathing criticism of the state’s universal health care law, saying it is bankrupting Massachusetts and will do the same nationally, if a similar plan is passed in Congress.
and, the important reference that i tried in a different way to bring forth is That All is not Gold that Glitters
in my way, i quoted the secton of shakespeare (there was a time that i only had to mention), and the section was on the three chests and which to choose.
the other clue was cargo cult mentality, and how our theories of mind, tend to copy our own.
They don’t seem to recognize that there is a financial reality that cannot be stopped by spin and words
cargo cultists cant understand principals of operation.
now whether its because of circumstances, like the pacific islanders, and its their way of adapting and trying to desperately find out the ‘principals of operation’ that caused the last event without having any way of doing so (desire for science without the key methodologies).
or its because of some fault of development, or as a side effect of another brain thought disorder (sociopathy, etc)…
the people who play other people, homoparasiticus, have little need to learn principals of operation other than their prey. they are never intended to dominate, as they are parasites. no where in nature can parasites dominate, but as a survival tactic its the most successful.
homoparasiticus has cargo cult thinking. they believe that things just happen, and that no one really knows what they are doing, but are just better at playing the odds or playing people than they are. (this is why when they fail they are paranoid).
intelligentsia, are not the smartest of the intelligent, they are the lesser caste that without putting themselves in the public for some statist collusion, would more likely be no bodies. Others are intelligent people who are too vain to say “i dont really study politics and so i really cant give a good answer from a viewpoint of one who does understand… but if ya want an opinion, i am game…”
[yes thats tongue in cheek]
sociopaths have this kind of thing in spades, they like duping, and so to get a grade and or degree and not actually have done anything is a higher self score of success than busting your hump and being proficient. but then you have to hide your inconvenient past.
Marxism is great for them in that it abandoned falsifiability, and claims there is no such thing as talent and any of the things that one would use to separate the wheat from the chaff are forbidden (like discernment, thinking ability, etc) as are things that would help enable people
they believe that one commands and people make it so, and there is nothing that cant be commanded if one is bold enough to do so and accept any cost.
they feel failure then is because they are being opposed by those who could do it, but are cleverly flubbing it to hurt them, that there is grand forces of some opposition (which is like them ruthless), but they cant identify other than, like Moriarty, it confounds their plans.
to repeat this and make another point
they believe that one commands and people make it so, and there is nothing that cant be commanded if one is bold enough to do so and accept any cost.
and so they tend to argue that people just don’t have the nerve to get something done… ie, they are just wimps who wont ask the impossible and care not of the consequences other than the achievement.
this is why even in the mini versions of them in academia, they all sound like philosopher kings who they believe had their position because they were beyond argument (not the valid history that they were able to out argue and take the right place against all other thinkers. again, cargo cult view vs reality).
that they are all big idea men and implementation is for the little people who just make it so (despite their being idiots).
if you want a clear easy example of the attitude, just read jeffrey sachs in sci american (he is at columbia i think and i cant spell his name, so its not intentional), big ideas of tax this, and if we just took a little financial thing from here…
for a man who claims to love the people who live in places he doesn’t really understand the life of (because he doesn’t want to he wants to tell them how they live), he sure doesn’t care what the state will do to the people who refuse to comply with his sweeping ideas…
most of them show their true colors there and we don’t get it… anyone that really loved man would not try to help some people at the expense of harming others arbitrarily.
Reading the comments here, and on one of the links NEO provided, I see persons speaking of “converting” to Islam to avoid penalties. Perhaps some or all of these are toung-in-cheek. Atheist and Agnostics can do what they want. I do not think a real Christian who understands Islam can ever claim to be a Muslim. Islam denies the very Deity of Jesus Christ. Many Christians throughout history have been given the chance to save their lives if only they would deny Him. They refused and paid the price of Christian Martrys.
Bench warming Christians can deny Him, but real ones cannot. Jesus said whoever denies him would be denied. (Matthew 10:33)
I have failed my Lord often, both directly, and in my relationships to others. And i ask forgiveness for any I have wronged here. But to Deny him for 30 pieces of silver? No!
On the first Feminian Sandstones we were promised the Fuller Life
feminism promises you can have it all
(Which started by loving our neighbor and ended by loving his wife)
and ended up promoting promiscuity not higher life
(which brought record crime, disease, feral children, and lots more that were completely alien before – never waste a crisis)
Till our women had no more children and the men lost reason and faith,
we are way below replacement, heck, we cringe at the requirements of maintenance (for each woman that has no children another has to have 5 just to maintain a population in modern society).
the men don’t want to marry, something that requires faith… and a whole lot don’t give a damn and have no need to out earn their own needs..
And the Gods of the Copybook Headings said: “The Wages of Sin is Death.”
yup…
jon baker: I am almost certain that all the comments about converting are jokes.
well my last post certainly was not serious.. interesting, but not serious…
however, i just came across this interesting series of articles, so far there are 8.
Perspectives Of A Russian Immigrant (series)
http://www.investors.com/NewsAndAnalysis/SpecialReport.aspx?id=512665
The Perspective Of A Russian Immigrant
When I came to America in 1980 and experienced life in this country, I thought it was fortunate that those living in the USSR did not know how unfortunate they were.
Now in 2009, I realize how unfortunate it is that many Americans do not understand how fortunate they are. They vote to give government more and more power without understanding the consequences.
Service.gov And Its Soviet Similarities
USSR, 1959: I am a “young pioneer” in school. History classes remind us that there is a higher authority than their parents and teachers: the leaders of the Communist Party.
Perspective Of A Russian Immigrant (No. 3)
USSR, 1959: Whenever I speak about my experiences living in the USSR, my American friends respond that such things can never happen in a democracy like the United States.
Perspective Of A Russian Immigrant (No. 4)
I look at the people who support the transformation of America in disbelief: They are destroying the very land that gave them so much opportunity.
Perspective Of A Russian Immigrant (No. 5)
Visitors to national parks are warned not to feed the wildlife because this interferes with the natural survival ability of the animals. Progressives do not make the same connection with human nature.
i have just started reading the series..
Yep. Human nature.
Quick question – how would it be that Muslims are exempt? I’m not sure I follow. Exemptions for Christina Scientists, Mennonites, Amish and so on make sense, but I don’t know how or why Muslims might claim exemption.
Could someone please explain this to me?
Thanks!
as much as $146 per month could be sucked out of your already diminished earnings unless you remember to opt out of the program (should you choose to do so).
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jH0WIKedabM&feature=player_embedded
your automatically enrolled if you dont watch out…
artfldgr wrote”
On the first Feminian Sandstones we were promised the Fuller Life
feminism promises you can have it all”
I believe Feminian refers to a geologic age, the spelling is no longer used. Famennian is the current usage.
BRD: I don’t know for sure whether Muslims can opt out. But I have read on several websites that it is being argued that they are among the exempted religions because it is against their religion to buy regular insurance. There is a special Muslim kind of insurance.
And now that I have read a bit about the Muslim type of insurance, it seems that insurance as a profit-making business is prohibited.
Hmmm; maybe Obama is a Muslim after all.
Bob from Virginia: actually, if you follow the link to the Kipling poem, you’ll find Artfldgr was quoting it, and then giving feminism as an illustration of the principle of being promised a fuller life.
There is a special Muslim kind of insurance.
Yep. Most insurance policies don’t explicitly exclude “suicide bombing.”
Bill West:
I don’t disagree with you, exactly, but–
“What you mean, ‘We,’ White Man?”
Quoth Tonto.
Let’s not assume that Republicans taking one house in November will mean “we” will have taken one house in November.
I say this simply because I still don’t see any evidence that the Republicans have any idea or grasp of the nature of the fight they are in.
My father-in-law owned a small business, a violin repair shop. He was also a cellist in the Houston Symphony. In his later years, after he retired from the orchestra, he still maintained the shop, and my husband helped him manage it. In the shop’s early years, he had little competition, but later on there was a fair bit. We learned pretty quickly that if you can’t make a profit, you can’t stay in business. It’s pretty basic. Profits have little to do with greed. They are the single essential thing to any small business. Without profit, you’re gone. Done. Finished. Close it up, my friend, and go home.
The Kipling poem, much thanks to Neo for quoting it, reminds me once again that, while I don’t often think of him, nearly every time I read something of his, my mouth falls open in amazement: That about says it, of course.
There are so many unintended consequences of the HCR Bill coming down the road. For many years I have known that Congress does not believe in the law of unintentional consequences. If they did, they would revisit their legislation from time to time and either repeal or revise to improve the results. But results don’t matter to the left – intentions do.
Each day in my liberal fishwrap, I read (buried in the back in small print) about another aspect of the bill that seems mind numbing in its stupidity.
I am convinced that this bill will either be found unconstitutional or will be essentially repealed through revisions if we can elect a lot of conservatives in November. Otherwise………..Look out below!
Bob From Virginia,
i did say i wasnt serious… but i tried to find a real meaning, and i did find some feminists (but that was after i had already been not serious)…
i should ask a family member who makes his money in geology work…
thanks..
Thanks for the explanation!!
Obama’s going to drill for oil offshore to keep his numbers up. I will bust a blood vessel if i see a Lindsey Graham embracing this ploy with open arms. Focus focus focus an this abomination of a health care scam!
Re the oil drilling, I don’t believe it for a minute, it will be the official policy of the white house while they are instructing the EPA etc to tie it up for decades in regulatory purgatory.
Its a “safe” play since it takes quite some time to actually accomplish.
Kind of like kicking in the full health care bill in 2014.
they believe that one commands and people make it so, and there is nothing that cant be commanded if one is bold enough to do so and accept any cost.
BINGO.
they believe that one commands and people make it so, and there is nothing that cant be commanded if one is bold enough to do so and IMPOSE any cost.
Obama’s oil play shows he is watching the polls. It also shows he is watching gasoline prices which can hurt his reelection. He doesn’t need the left for awhile now that his health bill is passed.
He is a wily adversary who has an unlimited ability to rise above principle.
Somewhat OT:
On Youtube there is a bit where Roger Moore (James Bond) does an excellent recitation of Kipling’s “Tommy”.
Open Youtube, search for– “Roger Moore” Tommy–
Wondering if the average citizen is beginning to feel like Thomas Atkins ca 1892, or 1692, or 2010.
oil drilling is the carrot to get them to do amnesty (they said so)
Artfldgr,
You are probably correct. It is certainly a bargaining chip of some sort. My guess is it may be used to get a Cap and Tax deal of some sort.
The Delta smelt and the subsequent government-caused dustbowl was a nice piece of change to have in Pelosi’s pocket when she needed a couple of votes.
Expect some of this drilling is the same.
Nice oil rig you got there….
JJ..maybe that… i dont know… but i do know that they are going to want a lot more than a pound of flesh.
By the way, it also goes to show you how allowing them to restrict something they dont have a right to restrict, gives them a set of thumbscrews and a tap to turn off and on.. kind of like gasprom and the ukraine..
“Feminian Sandstones”, what Permian sandstones were called in Victorian times, are a building material used to construct medieval churches and, earlier, pagan temples.
“They denied that the Moon was Stilton; they denied she was even Dutch.” Stilton is a British cheese. The Dutch are famous for their cheeses.
“The Cambrian measures” are a part of the ocean off Britain that now separates it from Europe.
“The Carboniferous Epoch” is an era of geological change that formed many of the mountain ranges of the world.
It’s seems Barack Obama will not stop his transformation of the U.S. until we are all under Sharia law. Have you noticed how he always sides with the muslims? Have you ever noticed how silent he stays about his true beliefs?