Repeal of Obamacare Likely When GOP takes Control after 2012

You all know I posed the question some time ago. Given the growing distrust of Democrats and the rapidly sinking poll numbers of Barack Obama and the Democrats in Congress, it's likely the GOP is well positioned to take control after 2012. When they do they will be in a great position to reverse, or outright repeal Obamacare which the American public are strongly against.


The Hill asked this of Senator Mike Crapo of Idaho.

"Republicans are unlikely to repeal the health reform legislation before Congress if they take control of the House and Senate, a GOP senator conceded Wednesday. Sen. Mike Crapo (R-Idaho) said Republicans are unlikely to be able to repeal the legislation anytime in the near future. "Technically it could be peeled back if the circumstances were right," Crapo said during an appearance on a conservative news radio syndicate. "But we would have to have a president who would sign such a bill, and we would have to have 60 votes in the Senate -- not just 50." "So it would be a very tall order, and frankly, the likelihood's that that's not going to develop in the near future," he added."

Yes it would be, but I don't believe we would necessarily need 60.

 By the time Obama leaves off I predicted that the economy would be in much of the condition it was in 1979 with ballooning inflation and skyrocketing interest rates. I don't believe it will be as much a move to reverse or repeal as a rush and agenda.

 As most of the effects would have not gone into effect until 2014 or so, there will be pressure to strip the legislation before it becomes a "benefit" to the public.

 Once that happens it's always hard to take it back.

 I consider it a prerequisite of every GOP candidate and present member of the Congress. We simply have no choice if we are to save America from bankruptcy.


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Grandma and Babies Under the Bus Oh My

As the Senate attempts to ramrod Obamacare up the nether regions of Americans, Bill Kristol brings to light a good point.

"There are lots of embarrassing little things to mock in the Senate bill (e.g., the special provision for Nebraska), and lots of bad provisions to attack (the tax hikes and federal funding for abortion, to mention two). But Republicans shouldn't lose sight of a core point, embodied in this passage from page 19 of the CBO letter:

"Based on the extrapolation described above, CBO expects that Medicare spending under the legislation would increase at an average annual rate of roughly 6 percent during the next two decades--well below the roughly 8 percent annual growth rate of the past two decades (excluding the effect of establishing the Medicare prescription drug benefit)

Adjusting for inflation, Medicare spending per beneficiary under the legislation would increase at an average annual rate of less than 2 percent during the next two decades--about half of the roughly 4 percent annual growth rate of the past two decades. It is unclear whether such a reduction in the growth rate could be achieved, and if so, whether it would be accomplished through greater efficiencies in the delivery of health care or would reduce access to care or diminish the quality of care."

Here are the key ten words: "reduce access to care or diminish the quality of care." CBO is explaining that the legislation's claim to fiscal responsibility requires cutting in half the rate of growth of per capita Medicare spending.

And, according to CBO, absent magical greater efficiencies in the delivery of health care, accomplishing those fiscal goals might well require reducing access to health care and/or diminishing the quality of health care. So less access and lower quality is a very real possible consequence of this legislation. This is a point critics of the bill cannot allow to be lost in all the hubbub."

So what do you know, there WILL be prices to pay by our seniors in this bill.   I thank Bill for bringing this up.

As you know I'm headquartered in South Florida and it's easy to get this information spread around to the local senior communities.

 Additionally it appears that Ben Nelson might have painted himself into a corner for his 30 pieces of silver to betray America's unborn. Local talk radio in Omaha is hammering him already over the decision. (See Michelle Malkin on other rebellions taking place in Neb.)

 But his betrayal will do nothing but open up even more doors to abortion through this legislation, not stop them.

Nelson Caves - Will Vote for Obamacare

He's kissing his chances at reelection goodbye, Nebraskans are clearly not for this bill. However,...

"Sen. Ben Nelson (Neb.), the final Democratic holdout on health care, was prepared to announce to his caucus Saturday morning that he would support the Senate reform bill, clearing the way for final passage by Christmas. "We're there," said Sen. Kent Conrad (D-N.D.), as he headed into a special meeting to announce the deal. Democratic leaders spent days trying to hammer out a deal with Nelson, and worked late Friday night with Nelson on abortion coverage language that had proved the major stumbling block. But Nelson also secured other favors for his home state. Asked if he was prepared to support the bill, Nelson said, "Yeah."

This of course goes to the measure of a man and Nelson is no man, he's a money sucking politician, a weasel, who should be the first in line for Obamacare and complete his neutering.

 The price? Of course you knew there had to be one.  Via Hot Air and Michelle Malkin.

"Under the current merged legislation (the version unveiled on November 18th), the federal government fully finances care for the expanded population for two years and increases its matching funds (known as FMAP) thereafter. Page 98 of the managers amendment specifically identifies Nebraska for higher federal matching funds, fully funding its expansion for an additional year: ‘‘(3) Notwithstanding subsection (b) and paragraphs (1) and (2) of this subsection, the Federal medical assistance percentage otherwise determined under subsection (b) with respect to all or any portion of a fiscal year that begins on or after January 1, 2017, for the State of Nebraska, with respect to amounts expended for newly eligible individuals described in subclause (VIII) of section 1902(a)(10)(A)(i), shall be determined as provided for under subsection (y)(1) (A) (notwithstanding the period provided for in such paragraph) Subsection (y)(1)(A) refers to page 399 of the original merged Senate legislation which fully funds state Mediciad expansions for the first two years. The manager’s amendment also provides 2.2% increase in FMAP to help states finance their existing Medicaid programs. That will be worth at least hundreds of millions of dollars in federal cash for Nebraska … for the first three years. After that, Nebraskans get as screwed as the rest of the country."

It's not over yet though. Still lots of opposition from the uber lefties - no public option - and Nelson said - although now we realize he's hasn't the guts - he has the right to change his mind. More than anything Americans have themselves to blame, they voted these clowns in, and if this passes they and their grandchildren will pay the price for years to come.

Michelle Malkin with more.

Nutroot Jane Hamsher Tries to Knee Block Lieberman's Wife

Politics is one thing, but this is shameful.

 "Washington (CNN) - Sen. Joe Lieberman – whose opposition to a public insurance option has drawn outrage from liberal groups for months – is used to finding himself in progressive crosshairs. Now it's his wife's turn. Activists are setting their sights on Hadassah Lieberman, launching a celebrity-studded petition drive to convince the nation's largest breast cancer non-profit to end the Connecticut senator's wife role as a spokeswoman.

The move to pressure the Susan G. Komen for the Cure foundation came the same day Lieberman's husband angered Democrats by announcing that he would not support an expansion of Medicare to cover individuals under the age of 55. Organizers did not point to that decision, instead citing Hadassah Lieberman's own ties to the health care industry. Lieberman has worked as a consultant for companies including Pfizer and ALCO. "

We are asking Ellen DeGeneres, Christie Brinkley and other high-profile celebrities who are associated with Komen to demand that no more money raised for cancer treatment be given to Hadassah Lieberman or any other ex-Pharma/Insurance strategists," said Jane Hamsher, founder of the Firedoglake blog."

 Of course Hamsher is a known anti-semetic, with more than several shots at Jews including Lieberman. By the way, just who is Hadassah Lieberman?

"She is the daughter of Rabbi Samuel Freilich, a Holocaust survivor from Munkács, Carpathian Ruthenia (now Mukachevo, part of Ukraine and predecessor Ukrainian SSR since 1945, 1939-45 by Hungary of Axis powers), who died in 1993, and Ella Wieder Freilich, also a Holocaust survivor who died on August 6, 2004."

As a cancer survivor along with my wife we owe nothing but gratitude to Mrs. Lieberman and many like her.

As I said, shameful.

UPDATE:

CNN has received the following statement from the Susan G. Komen for the Cure foundation:

Hadassah Lieberman is an important and valued Global Ambassador for Susan G. Komen for the Cure. As a Global Ambassador, Ms. Lieberman is focused on helping us reach out and educate women outside our borders about breast cancer, sharing our knowledge and experience in a culturally sensitive way that is making a real impact on the lives of women across the globe. We have every intention of continuing our relationship with Ms. Lieberman in our mutual pursuit of a world without breast cancer.

By the way, please donate to the Komen Foundation here.

Obamacare DOA in the Senate

Huge development.

"Two key senators criticized the most recent healthcare compromise Sunday, saying the policies replacing the public option are still unacceptable. Sens. Joe Lieberman (I-Conn.) and Ben Nelson (D-Neb.) both said a Medicare "buy-in" option for those aged 55-64 was a deal breaker. "I'm concerned that it's the forerunner of single payer, the ultimate single-payer plan, maybe even more directly than the public option," Nelson said on CBS's "Face the Nation." Lieberman said Democrats should stop looking for a public option "compromise" and simply scrap the idea altogether."

Which effectually kills the Senate bill for this year and perhaps for good. Senate liberals are NOT going to vote for anything without a public option and the rest won't vote with it in.


 Cue the movie.


 

The Public Option is Dead - Part II

Effectually DOA, and now nailed shut.

"WASHINGTON — Democratic senators say they have a tentative deal to drop a government-run insurance option from health care legislation. No further details were immediately available. But liberals and moderates have been discussing an alternative, including a private insurance arrangement to be supervised by the federal agency that oversees the system through which lawmakers purchase coverage. Additionally, talks centered on opening up Medicare to uninsured Americans beginning at age 55, a significant expansion of the large government health care program that currently serves the over-65 population. Sen. Tom Harkin of Iowa told reporters he didn't like the agreement but would support it to the hilt in an attempt to pass health care legislation."

Dirty Harry beat feet to the microphones to deny everything...

"Reid said reports the government-run "public option" had been dropped were "not true."

Hogwash.

 It's DOA, believe it.

 This is all smoke and mirrors.

 Mark it here there will be no public option or anything like it. That Medicare "buy-in" is a non-starter, and idiotic. The system is broke now, and inviting another ten million to join before their time won't do anything except to hurry the demise.  

The majority of Americans are against such a system and Obama's poll numbers are heading south faster than Global Warming science.   He, nor the Senate have the political clout now to carry this through, the ides of 2010 approach.

 In fact, because a measure to insure a prohibition to public funding on abortion failed today, the entirety of the Senate bill is up in the air.   In fact, it's a major can of wup-ass as without it you can kiss Ben Nelson's vote goodbye.  He knows he can't support anything that his constituents have repeatedly polled against.  It would be suicide.

Also, via The Corner:

"The National Right to Life Commitee (NRLC) has come out against the Reid bill as it now stands, and warns that "a number of pro-life Democrats in the House, who supported passage of health care legislation on November 7, will not vote for the Senate bill in its current form.  So, this is a long way from over."

Like I said, it's DOA and likely the bill in it's present form.

Good News We're Defeating Obamacare

Just in case you might miss it, we're winning the fight against Obamacare, against socialism.  Can you smell it?   It's the smell of victory.

They recognize it too.   Howard (The Scream) Dean:

"One of the leading progressive champions of health care reform is pessimistic about the state of the debate in the Senate, saying he sees virtually no path to passing strong legislation and predicting potential congressional losses for Democrats as a consequence.

Former DNC Chair Howard Dean told the Huffington Post on Monday that Senate Democratic leadership was "in deep trouble" on health care, even after Majority Leader Harry Reid cobbled together over the weekend the 60 votes needed to get legislation to the floor. The problem was as much about politics as policy.

"I think if you passed the Senate bill tomorrow it would be OK. But then the problem is they don't have any defense for their members in 2010," Dean said, noting that the public option would not become operational until 2014. "On the other hand, if they drop the public option [to placate moderate members], I think they lose seats." "So this is really tough. I didn't anticipate being in this position. I thought it would pass.

Maybe Harry has some magic up his sleeve. But I don't see how he gets those four votes [Sens. Joseph Lieberman (Conn.), Mary Landrieu (La.), Blanche Lincoln (Ark.) and Ben Nelson (Neb.)] without compromising the bill," Dean concluded."

Translation? We won folks.   We can say it, we won the battle to stop Obamacare from passing.

 There is no way that a public option - first step to socialization of medicine - is happening in America any time soon, and that's GOOD NEWS. Thanks the thousands of Americans who stood up to the socialists who have invaded our government and said, not "No", but "Hell No!".

Oh sure they'll get something through, next year and it will be "reform", but it won't contain a public option or taxpayer funded abortion, both are effectually dead in the water.    What will pass will been nothing in comparison to what was proposed and that's a win for us, a sound defeat for socialist Democrats.

No, the fight isn't completely over, we need to keep up the marches, the protests, the letters, phone calls, emails and faxes.   You don't stand over your enemy when you've vanquished him, you cut off his head to make sure he doesn't get back up.   We need to keep up the fight until every last ounce of Pelosi/Reid is out of Washington for good, and if not gone effectually neutralized.

2010 is the beginning of the end of socialist rule in our country as we begin the swing back to conservative governance.     The signs are there that we will have a very good 2010 election and gain much back of what we lost.  2012 is looking brighter everyday.  American's have realized their mistake,  the polls have shown us that.

I was right of course in saying that Barack Obama will become anathema to Democrats as his sinking poll numbers - unprecedented in history - just over one year in office will cause Dems to shrink back, fearing even being slightly influenced by his unpopularity.

By 2010 those numbers will be in the sub 30s-40s and by all accounts Obama will be as popular as Marion Barry without the crack.  He'll be alone, no one - except of course Axlerod and teleprompter.

It's good for now though to realize that Americans rose to the occasion and corrected this wrong wrought  in the fall of 2008, and by the fall of next year the correction will be completed.

Savor the moment, we're winning, and in the end we will win.

The Fight Begins

Byron York:

 "The extraordinary thing about the dramatic events surrounding the health care bill in the Senate is that there was any drama at all. Lawmakers were simply voting to begin debate on the Democratic version of health care reform. Just begin debate -- not end it, and not move on to a final vote.

 If Democrats, with a 60-vote majority in the Senate, had not been able to begin debate on the top Democratic policy priority in a generation -- well, that would have been a devastating turn of events, both for the party and for President Obama.

 And yet just starting debate proved difficult, and only on the last day did the 60th Democratic vote fall in place in favor of beginning the process. I asked a high-ranking Republican Senate source whether it was really that hard to get the Democratic votes together.

Could it have been a media-fed story, with reporters looking to inject some unwarranted drama into the proceedings? No, I was told. "It really was that hard for them to get to 60 just to proceed," the source said.

"Very telling." And judging by the statements of four moderate Democrats -- Lieberman, Lincoln, Landrieu, and Nelson -- it will be far, far harder when the process comes to the really important vote, the one that would bring debate to a close and move on to an up-or-down vote on the Democrats' health care plan. On Saturday, all four of those Democrats publicly threatened to side with Republicans and kill the bill before it can move to a final vote, unless their concerns are met.

"If the bill remains where it is now, I will not be able to support a cloture motion before final passage," Sen. Joseph Lieberman said. "I'm prepared to vote against moving to the next stage of consideration as long as a government-run public option is included," said Sen. Blanche Lincoln.

"My vote to move forward on this important debate should in no way be construed by the supporters of this current framework as an indication of how I might vote as this debate comes to an end," said Sen. Mary Landrieu. And Sen. Ben Nelson said he will "oppose the second cloture motion -- needing 60 votes -- to end debate, and oppose the final bill" if major changes are not made."

So now the real battle begins.

As I said before Both Laudrieu and Lincoln can basically kiss their ample rear ends goodbye.

Pundits said that voting to proceed would be a "safe vote" and wouldn't hurt their political chances.  But that's nonsense.  Both are facing daunting odds in retaining their seats and both had receive the message from constituents that they were not to support this bill in any measure.

We know that Laudrieu was "paid off" and has other campaign corruption problems, and we've yet to find out what Lincoln received.  Nevertheless York is right that this vote was ridiculously weak for the Democrats, much like the squeaker in the House.

NOTHING is a done deal yet and we have a very good chance of derailing this mess before it gets any further.

But we'll have to get busy.  It's more than just emails and faxes - although that's important to.  It's about "getting in their face", and that means to get nasty.  NOTHING has ever been more important to fight about in this country.

We are witnessing the minority - that's the people who truly want government run health care - running over the majority - that's the people who don't.

We need to get that majority up and at 'em.   We need to keep this evil stalled at least through Summer of 2010.  By then the elections loom and we stand to gain 50+ seats and thus the power to finally nail the coffin on this power grab.

Senate Democrat Giveaway - Reid has his 60 Votes, Guaranteeing Democrats Loose Elections in 2010, 2012

The American public won't be bullied.

 Given that the Democrats will commit political suicide tonight by voting to continue debate on healthcare, we now look ahead to 2010 and 2012, and ram down the throats of Americans a bill they don't want and have rejected;

 Given that even if Obama gets his wish at grabbing power over the nation's healthcare system, it won't go into affect until after he is politically dead and gone - 2012 by the accounting of recent poll numbers.

 By the way, Sen. Mary Landrieu (D-La.) and Sen. Blanche Lincoln, are gone. They threw their chance of remaining in office away this afternoon.

 Makes no difference if they oppose the public option or not, they will simply not be reelected.

 Subsequently beginning in 2010 and 2012, with the return of Congress to the GOP - yes it's going to happen - we'll then have to decide how to reverse and extinguish this mess.

 But we will do it, indeed it's already being planned. 

How much will get reversed? Enough to make this - if indeed it survives - one of the least potent bills in American history.

Report: Obamacare Would INCREASE Cost of Healthcare - Reduce Senior Care

Kiss the Pelosi bill goodbye.

 "A plan to slash more than $500 billion from future Medicare spending — one of the biggest sources of funding for President Obama's proposed overhaul of the nation's health-care system — would sharply reduce benefits for some senior citizens and could jeopardize access to care for millions of others, according to a government evaluation released Saturday. 

 The report, requested by House Republicans, found that Medicare cuts contained in the health package approved by the House on Nov. 7 are likely to prove so costly to hospitals and nursing homes that they could stop taking Medicare altogether. 

 Congress could intervene to avoid such an outcome, but "so doing would likely result in significantly smaller actual savings" than is currently projected, according to the analysis by the chief actuary for the agency that administers Medicare and Medicaid. 

That would wipe out a big chunk of the financing for the health-care reform package, which is projected to cost $1.05 trillion over the next decade.

Additionally the Hill reports that the legislation would increase the cost of healthcare, not decrease it and balloon the already ballooning deficit.

Wanna bet that there are more than a few in congress who voted "yes" want that vote back in time for 2010?

Saturday at 12pm, It's Burn Your AARP Card Day

Just cancelled my membership, and I invite every conservative with a membership to do the same.

  Moreover on Saturday at 12pm just after the MacRanger Show begins, I want everyone who cancels their membership to burn their cards.

 AARP has long since NOT supported the interests of the retired and their support of Obamacase is all about special/financial interest and nothing else.

  See Michelle Malkin for more.

Contact AARP, tell them to stuff their membership and pass it on to seniors you know to do the same.