Ace of Spades HQ

March 21, 2010

HCR Is Going To Pass - So What Happens Now?
— Maetenloch

Well it seems almost certain now that the House will pass the Senate's version of the health care bill tonight and Obama will sign it into law shortly after that. Reconciliation may or may not happen. But in any case HCR is going to be the law. So what happens now?

Well in the short run the HCR bill will be a giant tax increase along with some regulations that will also make your premiums go up. So expect to lose roughly around 4%+ of your income.

According to this WSJ article here's what you can expect in the next four years before the real changes kick in:

Â• Insurance companies will no longer be able to cancel enrollees' policies because they got sick, or to place lifetime caps on their policies' payouts.
Â• Children can stay on their parents' insurance policies until their 26th birthday.
Â• Small businesses with fewer than 25 employees and average annual wages of less than $50,000 will be eligible for tax credits to cover up to 35% of their insurance premiums.
Â• The Medicare payroll tax will go up by 0.9% to 2.35% on wages above $200,000 for individuals and $250,000 for married couples
Â• And various taxes on health care plans, drug importers, and medical device manufacturers.

And lots of other unpleasant effects will start kicking in in 2013 and 2014.

Will ObamaCare be a Pyrrhic Victory for Democrats?

So this is actually a bit of good news amidst the shit sandwich since it means that most people will experience the pain of this bill while still keeping their current health coverage. Sure it'll be expensive but at least the existing plans and insurance companies will be around for a while. Long enough for the GOP to take back the House and Senate in 2010 and maybe the White House in 2012. And right now that's looking more likely. Plus a lot of the country is now very frustrated and angry and somewhat organized. Expect this to keep growing as the bill's effect becomes more than theoretical.

Here the Democrats made the mistake of putting the stick first and the carrot years later in order to pass the CBO. It'll probably cost them control of Congress and it'll also have knock-on effects in state legislatures which will make it that much harder for them to make a comeback. Now the Democrats may feel this was all worth it since universal health care is essentially a sacrament for them. But that warm feeling only lasts so long when you're wandering in the political wilderness.

This reminds me of the time in the late 70's (which I only dimly recall) when the Roe v. Wade decision woke up a lot of normally apolitical people and pushed them towards the GOP. And if that hadn't been based on a Supreme Court decision, I would have expected it to have been overturned around 1982 or so. But in this case there's no court ruling to put HCR beyond repeal. So there's a decent chance of rolling it back if the bill stays unpopular, the GOP takes back Congress, and repealing the bill doesn't mean taking away someone's coverage. So I figure we've got about 3 years to make sure these conditions happen.

Posted by: Maetenloch at 03:07 PM | Comments (98)
Post contains 565 words, total size 3 kb.

Can't take 4% of nothing...

Posted by: garrett at March 21, 2010 03:21 PM (RTENA)

2 Bart Stupak to mutter some horseshit on the floor

Posted by: Herr Morgenholz at March 21, 2010 03:21 PM (UQLAD)

3 Not to be a downer, but does this mean that Al Qaeda succeeded in bringing down the US after all?

I mean, think about it -- without 9/11, Bush may very well have been a 1-term caretaker. But 9/11 gave us Iraq and Afghanistan and all the rest, which gave us Bush's 27% approval rating, which gave us the candidacies of John McCain and Barack Obama, which gave us the presidency of Our Lord and Savior, which gave us HellCare, which gave us the end of the Pax Americana per Mark Steyn.

It took 10 years, but....

Posted by: bullfrog at March 21, 2010 03:21 PM (g+3Ca)

4 We fight until the last. Fuck the Dims and all the fucking eeyores.

Posted by: MDr VB1.0 CS1st at March 21, 2010 03:21 PM (ucq49)

5 If the Dem's had a brain, they would have waited til after the mid-terms--and census--to start trying to radically tilt the country to the left.

Posted by: Randy at March 21, 2010 03:24 PM (GtTYq)

6 But in this case there's no court ruling to put HCR beyond repeal. So there's a decent chance of rolling it back if the bill stays unpopular, the GOP takes back Congress, and repealing the bill doesn't mean taking away someone's coverage. So I figure we've got about 3 years to make sure these conditions happen.

I was told not a chance when I brought this up... yesterday? Two days ago?

Posted by: Z Ryan at March 21, 2010 03:25 PM (cMo6P)

7 Stop calling it HCR. It's ObamaCare. That's what it is, and that's the name that will tie it to him. Our only hope is to defeat the Democrats in 2010 and defeat Obama in 2012.

Posted by: Caiwyn at March 21, 2010 03:25 PM (NT8XN)

8 6 If the Dem's had a brain, they would have waited til after the mid-terms--and census--to start trying to radically tilt the country to the left.

Normally I'd agree with you, but there's too much crazy-like-a-fox going on behind the scenes. Which means we should be worried that this is only the beginning. Eughch ...

Posted by: Joanna at March 21, 2010 03:25 PM (cQGAc)

Two words for you -

Man-Date, Beyotch!

I one!

I One!

I ONE!!!!

Posted by: Barack Hussein Obama at March 21, 2010 03:26 PM (RTENA)

10 We fight until the last. Fuck the Dims and all the fucking eeyores. I will go through 2700 pages of steaming dog shit and pluck out kernels of corn to feed to Democrats in November.

Posted by: fluffy at March 21, 2010 03:26 PM (4Kl5M)

11 It's incredible how unpopular this is. Could this be the impetus to start hammering at entitlements and a long-time overreaching government?

Posted by: Z Ryan at March 21, 2010 03:27 PM (cMo6P)

12 I said this before this BILL will DOOM the DEMS in 2010 and 2012.

The DEMS just won a battle, a battle they have engaged in suicidal tactics to win. They are not going to keep up the fight to maintain that victory if all their troops are voted out of office. The type of tactics that SUN TZU warned against. The DEMS do not read SUN TZU they real Alinsky and Marx.

If 2010 is bad...Come 2012 Obama cannot use fairy glitter speeches and happy talk alone and he will not have the luxury to be an empty suit so his followers can clueless college kids and pour their dreams into. Those kids from 2008 will have graduated college into a desolate job market, Obama's suit will be filled with FECES at this point.

Posted by: Gary B at March 21, 2010 03:27 PM (1gWfF)

Have some Coke.

Smile.

...and Bend Over cause I gots a Milk Chocolate-Puddin' Pop to give you!

Posted by: Barack Hussein Obama at March 21, 2010 03:28 PM (a4rOe)

14 People are talking about this more than you think. Went out for lunch, & saw at least 4 people checking the Internet on their cells in an attempt to get a vote count. They weren't wealthy people, either. Wait until the taxes comes, & they'll realize what a mess they're in--guaranteed.

Posted by: Miss'80sBaby is fading fast... at March 21, 2010 03:28 PM (yfJ6g)

15 Question... what's to stop ins. companies from going overseas? Can they really outlaw a private citizen from signing a contract with a foreign company?

Posted by: Smapty at March 21, 2010 03:29 PM (bAySe)

16 I don't think the stick first, carrot 4 years later was unintentional. Monday morning, the ignorant will start showing up at hospitals looking for their free medical care. They will leave angry. Others, more informed, will be pissed off by paying for the damn thing. Someone, somewhere will turn to violence which will explode among both groups. An excuse for Marital Law. Game Over.

Posted by: Vet_Missing_Parts at March 21, 2010 03:29 PM (MCHyX)

17 An excuse for Marital Law. Game Over. Posted by: Vet_Missing_Parts

......How much money would you like to bet on this?

Posted by: Z Ryan at March 21, 2010 03:31 PM (cMo6P)

18 7 But in this case there's no court ruling to put HCR beyond repeal. So there's a decent chance of rolling it back if the bill stays unpopular, the GOP takes back Congress, and repealing the bill doesn't mean taking away someone's coverage. So I figure we've got about 3 years to make sure these conditions happen.

I was told not a chance when I brought this up... yesterday? Two days ago?
Posted by: Z Ryan at March 21, 2010 07:25 PM (cMo6P)

I think it'll be difficult but possible. The key is that the repeal must not take away anyone's coverage since Congress is fundamentally incapable of taking away any government benefit. And it's gotta stay unpopular.

Posted by: Mætenloch at March 21, 2010 03:31 PM (oYxkV)

Oh, they are going to love it.

Just wait and see my Immigration 'Step' and Cap and Trade 'Fetch'.

It's Coming Back Around- Go Orunj-Men!

Sycacuse, Sycacuse!

Posted by: Barack Hussein Obama at March 21, 2010 03:31 PM (a4rOe)

20 "...And if that hadn't been based on a Supreme Court decision, I would have expected it to have been overturned around 1982 or so. But in this case there's no court ruling to put HCR beyond repeal. So there's a decent chance of rolling it back if the bill stays unpopular, the GOP takes back Congress, and repealing the bill doesn't mean taking away someone's coverage. So I figure we've got about 3 years to make sure these conditions happen."

'Zackry.

The Tea Party needs to grab history by the horns and twist, hard. Repeal is only the first step. We need to roll it all back. The Great Society, the New Deal, all of it.

Posted by: K~Bob at March 21, 2010 03:32 PM (9b6FB)

21 We all need to get ready for immigration reform next. Obambi will push that through, too. I am serious. He will give citizenship to 15 to 30 million illegal immigrants. Of course, the narrative will be that those that oppose amnesty are racists. We can see that coming.

So, what are we going to do about it? Are we going to allow this to happen? What is the game plan? Health care, cap and crap, and next amnesty will be shoved down our throats. I think we all need to start planning a) how we will focus our resources to wage a legal challenge to this health care bill - first, then b) come up with a winning strategy for stopping amnesty. To stop amnesty we will have to write our own narrative, for example, show how US citizens are adversely impacted by illegal immigration. The narrative will need to involve personal anecdotes (yes, i know, but many people only respond emotionally to issues) that create sympathy. If we don't do something the story will be the same: BS amnesty for millions of illegal aliens, that have already been a drain on this country.

Seriously, we need to have a game plan and get ready. If we care about our country we can not afford to sit idley by and let a tyrannical government run roughshod over the people any longer.

Posted by: mistress overdone at March 21, 2010 03:32 PM (2/oBD)

22 What does the Dow do tomorrow?

Posted by: LibertarianJim at March 21, 2010 03:32 PM (86FvD)

23 Troubling as this all this, I ask you to focus on one question.

Given that political animals - and the NSDWP certainly is - are concerned foremost with preservation of their place at the public teat - why would they vote so in the face of overwhelming constituent oppo ?

This POS will not go into effect for 3+ years, but the tax burdens will come to bear earlier.

What do Mau-Mau Man and his handlers know ? Certainly any decisionmaking processes are occurring above the level of ubercretins Botox Nan and Alfred E Reid.

I'd encourage folks to look past this obokabuki. Something's up

Posted by: OhioDude at March 21, 2010 03:32 PM (Ftcrf)

fluffy Good for you

"I will go through 2700 pages of steaming dog shit and pluck out kernels of corn to feed to Democrats in November. "

What ever it takes. This will NOT stand. I'm still debating, how far I will go. Further than most on this site, I assure you.

Posted by: MDr VB1.0 CS1st at March 21, 2010 03:32 PM (ucq49)

25 @18 Money on what? That Cloward-Piven works?

Posted by: Vet_Missing_Parts at March 21, 2010 03:33 PM (MCHyX)

Well, just got back from a wonderful ride, albeit rainy and chilly. Ach, I expected better news, but oh well.

So, how do we go about breaking this thing? Let's roll...

Posted by: unknown jane at March 21, 2010 03:34 PM (5/yRG)

27 I am so depressed. God I wish I drank booze or did recreational drugs. How do we repeal a monster that has been let loose on us? I just feel like gloom and doom right now.

Posted by: Jayne on the left coast at March 21, 2010 03:35 PM (AdFsU)

The Ins. industry has its ducks in a row.

Get ready for Medical Vacations overseas and on Cruises.

The Dimocrats only care about buying the votes, not delivering the goods.

Ask anyone in Detroit, Newark, New Orleans, ^**insert american welfare city^**.

They'll break their backs trying to sniff their own farts while sucking themnselves off on this one, too.

Posted by: garrett at March 21, 2010 03:35 PM (a4rOe)

Oh, they are going to love it.

Just wait and see my Immigration 'Step' and Cap and Trade 'Fetch'.

It's Coming Back Around- Go Orunj-Men!

Sycacuse, Sycacuse!

Posted by: Barack Hussein Obama at March 21, 2010 07:31 PM (a4rOe)

Ooh! Ooh! I can hardly wait to reach around across the aisle again!

Posted by: John Maverick McCain at March 21, 2010 03:36 PM (CW1qp)

30 It's ObamaCare Nah, its ZeroCare.

Posted by: bebe's boobs destroy at March 21, 2010 03:36 PM (bjK1U)

31 If these motherfuckers think I'm going to fill out their fucking census, they're even stupider than I think they are. Fuck them. I am not sending them shit, and if they send some barely-sober hobo to my door, I'll have him off the wagon inside of five minutes.

Posted by: Ericdrumz at March 21, 2010 03:38 PM (lvJaW)

23 What does the Dow do tomorrow?

What we tell it to do.

Posted by: Ben Bernanke at March 21, 2010 03:38 PM (a4rOe)

33 Instead of Health Insurance... why not Health Investment?

Pool your monies into an investment account, tax-free... if you manage to donate over a certain amount ovetime, say 50k.... you can get awarded with a 50% co-pay on all your health cares costs.

Posted by: Smapty at March 21, 2010 03:40 PM (bAySe)

34 @28 Jayne Fear not. The "money-g-round" is creaking and groaning already and a giant shit pile more was just dumped on it. When the real fissures begin, that will give us the will to fix the nanny state and get back to individual liberty. The alternative is to sink into a totalitarian status... and Americans, I still believe, are not built like that.

Posted by: Vet_Missing_Parts at March 21, 2010 03:40 PM (MCHyX)

35 Posted by: Randy at March 21, 2010 07:24 PM (GtTYq)

Why? History shows that entitlement programs are not repealed. If anything, they are expanded as was the case for a majority of FDR's lunatic social experiments.

FDR loved power; he wallowed in it, used and abused it. But he was a piker compared to Papa Doc Obama, the hate-filled nonentity who was propelled to the White House by radical leftists, socialists, terrorists and race-baiters.

When miserable curs like the Traitor-in-Chief and losers like Pelosi and Reid grab power, they will not give it up. None of them are qualified for or capable of any kind of productive employment. They are inferior, and their inferiority drew them into politics, where they could exact revenge for what was "done to them" by people who treated them with the scorn they deserve.

What comes next? We throw the borders open, add the cap-and-trade travesty to an already unbearable tax burden. Then, as if planned (as it will be), some "crisis" hits in November, and elections are "postponed."

Once in office, did Lenin or Stalin allow electoral challenges? Did Mussolini? Hitler?

Yes, I am comparing the leaders of our current regime to some of the most vile dictators and tyrants in history. Why? Because that is the truth. Those who won't see it, who insist that this can all be corrected by toddling off to the polling place -- because Obama, Pelosi, Reid and the rest of the scum in D.C. are Americans, who ultimately are governed by the Constitution -- are fooling themselves.

But they are shredding the Constitution. They lie, repeatedly and without shame, so why should we believe that they will abide by any laws?

If the Constitution was still in force -- and enforced -- the Supreme Court would strike down the Death Bill by this time tomorrow, articles of impeachment would be introduced in Congress, and several hundred criminals there would be arrested.

But we're too civilized for that now, too willing to look for ways to control a volcano with a shovel. We'll wait until the power of the traitors is absolute and the nation is bankrupt. And that will be too late.

If ever there was a time for principles, for defending the Constitution and holding those who would destroy the United States, it is today.

Posted by: Ray-man at March 21, 2010 03:40 PM (6vilq)

An excuse for Marital Law. Game Over.

Dear Sir,

I am interested in playing chess against you. For money.

Posted by: garrett at March 21, 2010 03:41 PM (a4rOe)

37 so, can I drop my health care insurance now that costs me $5k a year, pay the $1k penalty and then if I do get some catastrophic medical problem like cancer... then get insurance to cover myself? If so, WHAT A SAVINGS!

Posted by: No Flag no $ at March 21, 2010 03:41 PM (ktB8c)

38 I think it'll be difficult but possible. The key is that the repeal must not take away anyone's coverage since Congress is fundamentally incapable of taking away any government benefit. And it's gotta stay unpopular.
Posted by: MÃ¦tenloch

Maybe. Maybe not. The opposition to this could be strong enough for a fundamental reconsideration. I'm not saying this is definitely the moment that changes, but I'm not ready to give up. I'm patient.

History has always been that socialism is never stopped and never even turned back. You can only hold it off as much as you can and as long as you can to live your life. And eventually the only reset is when socialism collapses the society. I'm young. Can I hold it off long enough for my lifetime? Maybe, but definitely not my kids' lifetimes. I think there's a first for everything, and this country has claimed a lot of those firsts. I'm not ready to concede that just because it hasn't happened before that Congress, and this country, can't take back the overreaching and redistribution. It just takes the right moment, the right situation and the right moves.

The Tea Party needs to grab history by the horns and twist, hard. Repeal is only the first step. We need to roll it all back. The Great Society, the New Deal, all of it.
Posted by: K~Bob

Gotta start somewhere. I see a crack in the dragon's scales.

Posted by: Z Ryan at March 21, 2010 03:42 PM (cMo6P)

Posted by: Ray-man at March 21, 2010 07:40 PM (6vilq)

But suddenly, another contender enters the ring.

All Hail the New Idiot!

Posted by: George Costanza - "King of the Idiots" at March 21, 2010 03:43 PM (a4rOe)

40 If ever there was a time for principles, for defending the Constitution and holding those who would destroy the United States accountable, it is today.

Posted by: Ray-man at March 21, 2010 07:40 PM (6vilq)

I lose my typing skills when I'm enraged.

Posted by: Ray-man at March 21, 2010 03:44 PM (6vilq)

41 This isn't the end; it's the end of the beginning.

Posted by: ahem at March 21, 2010 03:45 PM (LvZLQ)

42 What happens now? Well, I hope Stupak & his fellow traitors get the boot in November. We must do everything possible to see that it happens. A real pro-lifer would never exchange lives for other lives. Doesn't work that way.

Posted by: Miss'80sBaby is fading fast... at March 21, 2010 03:46 PM (yfJ6g)

43 So there's a decent chance of rolling it back if the bill stays unpopular, the GOP takes back Congress, and repealing the bill doesn't mean taking away someone's coverage. Please rethink this. Barry has a veto pen and the only way to repeal is to have determined majorities in both Houses. Extremely, vanishingly unlikely. Furthermore any repeal would in fact be fairly characterized as "taking away someone's coverage..." Â• Insurance companies will no longer be able to cancel enrollees' policies because they got sick, or to place lifetime caps on their policies' payouts. Â• Children can stay on their parents' insurance policies until their 26th birthday. Â• Small businesses with fewer than 25 employees and average annual wages of less than $50,000 will be eligible for tax credits to cover up to 35% of their insurance premiums. Presumably repeal undoes these matters, and the dinosaur media will only report it as such. If the GOP argument is "No, we'll keep that," than why repeal?

Posted by: George Happy Shiny Orwell von Unicorn at March 21, 2010 03:46 PM (AZGON)

44 @37 Garrett I was not voicing defeatism. Only stating the reason the stick was _before_ the carrot in the plan. You can't fight an enemy if you can't analyze what they are trying to do in their plan.

Posted by: Vet_Missing_Parts at March 21, 2010 03:46 PM (MCHyX)

I sent $25 to Lynch For Congress. Don't tell me if he's a non-dipping-douche bag. He's next. He won't win, but I said that about Brown.

Posted by: Happy Gene at March 21, 2010 03:48 PM (i/J4I)

46 [...]Congress is fundamentally incapable of taking away any government benefit.
Posted by: MÃ¦tenloch

Let me also put it this way:
That's their assumption too. We can lay down and accept the premise... or start looking for a way to use the premise they know against them. What do Americans do exceptionally well? Innovate.

Posted by: Z Ryan at March 21, 2010 03:48 PM (cMo6P)

47 pay the $1k penalty

It's 2.5% of your gross income or $2500, whichever is greater.

Posted by: HeatherRadish at March 21, 2010 03:48 PM (OkT2m)

48 History has always been that socialism is never stopped and never even turned back.

Only since 1848.

Posted by: HeatherRadish at March 21, 2010 03:50 PM (OkT2m)

49 JUst wait until the "Doctor Fix" doesn't happen. The dems need that money. They'll try to force them to take Medicare at the reduced rates. After all the Docs in Europe don't make as much as US docs so why not make them participate in the great event.

Posted by: DirtytJObsguy at March 21, 2010 03:51 PM (xlO3V)

50 History has always been that socialism is never stopped and never even turned back.

Only since 1848.
Posted by: HeatherRadish

Was it done through collapse of a government or warfare?

Posted by: Z Ryan at March 21, 2010 03:51 PM (cMo6P)

51 State level, local level. This is the begining. We let them know how we felt and they didn't care. Now got to your states and start work there. Walt Minick is a D out of Idah he voted against this travesty and the bailouts. Keep good people no matter D or R and go after the curs that support any of this Un constitutional crap.

Posted by: jamie at March 21, 2010 03:52 PM (CTJDC)

52 Because I'm not talking about those things, HeatherRadish.

Posted by: Z Ryan at March 21, 2010 03:53 PM (cMo6P)

53 I'm off for a steak dinner with my mom, because I'm a good little boy.

Let me tell everyone, so you have time to think on it and not piss me off when I'm back for the ONT:
Hysterics are useless.

Posted by: Z Ryan at March 21, 2010 03:54 PM (cMo6P)

The promise of obfuscating the negative affect of this and future Obamagenda items lies in the hands of local and State governments.

The Federal Government only has a voluntary army to do its bidding. When facing inward it is a Paper Tiger.

As always. You should be prepared to take care of yourself. Learn how to be as self sufficient as possible. Teach these and all real survival techniques to your family and friends.

Hunt, Fish, Gather, Save, Prepare, Grow, Can, Pickle. Not to prepare for armegeddon, but to employ your abilities to the fullest to be confident in who you are and what you are capable of.

Then, stop being afraid of the future. Be prepared.

When it gets here, make it your Bitch.

Posted by: garrett at March 21, 2010 03:54 PM (a4rOe)

55 Was it done through collapse of a government or warfare?

It didn't exist before then. Maybe I should have been more specific.

Posted by: HeatherRadish at March 21, 2010 03:54 PM (OkT2m)

56 Remember Me, Bitches?????

Posted by: Pig Flu at March 21, 2010 03:55 PM (a4rOe)

57 Hey, just noticed 300 is starting at top of the hour. Good underdog movie for today.

Posted by: Guy Fawkes at March 21, 2010 03:56 PM (ympF8)

58 One other effect of this passing: We will no longer hear reports of how many Americans are uninsured in the MSM every couple months.

Posted by: jdp at March 21, 2010 03:56 PM (QgZTp)

59 In the 1960's, the CBO estimated that in 2010, the cost of Medicare would be $60B a year. In 2010, the projected outlay is $480B.

B = Billion.

So, the CBO was off by a factor of 8.

Now, the CBO projects that health care will cost $1T over the next ten years.

T = Trillion

If I were up at the casinos and saw $1T up on the betting board as the number for "over/under," I'd bet my life savings on "over."

Posted by: muck at March 21, 2010 03:56 PM (HUhuu)

60 I can haz ONT yet

Posted by: Drunk Moron at March 21, 2010 03:56 PM (6UQg2)

Hysterics are useless.

Have you been feeding Douglas Adams to the Synonym Generator?

Posted by: garrett at March 21, 2010 03:57 PM (a4rOe)

62 Told ya.

Posted by: Christopher Taylor at March 21, 2010 03:58 PM (PQY7w)

63 So what happens now? - And to think my wife gave so much shit about buying all that ammo.

Posted by: Unk at March 21, 2010 03:59 PM (+TFrW)

64 If they remove the lifetime cap, that will increase premiums. I just got rid of my "no cap" policy and saved $300/month.

I'm under water if it goes back to that amount.

Posted by: PJ at March 21, 2010 04:00 PM (pizFh)

65 Y'all are looking at this all wrong.

I kept the news on, but I cleaned the house, made cookies for friends, went out for a beer and acquired a new toy. Now I'm home, and I've been watching cartoons all evening. And the sun will come up tomorrow and I'll go to work, and then sun will move from east to west and life will go on.

Change happens. Sometimes it's a real shitcase, but I can't do anything by getting upset. So I'll channel my energies into something constructive and focus on getting my life in order. (FYI, that means paring down my possessions so I can throw everything into one carload and leave for points unknown on a day's notice.)

Posted by: Joanna at March 21, 2010 04:01 PM (cQGAc)

66 Silver, Seeds, Food guns and ammo should all be good investment and no capital gains tax

Posted by: jamie at March 21, 2010 04:03 PM (CTJDC)

67 In the 1960's, the CBO estimated that in 2010, the cost of Medicare would be $60B a year. In 2010, the projected outlay is $480B. B = Billion. So, the CBO was off by a factor of 8. Now, the CBO projects that health care will cost $1T over the next ten years. Hey, as long as it doesn't go to a quadrillion, I'm good. I'm nobody's fool, and I know the price of a train ticket when my constituents see one.

Posted by: Shoeless Joe Biden at March 21, 2010 04:03 PM (AZGON)

68 28 "I am so depressed. God I wish I drank booze or did recreational drugs." Never too late to start. I drink booze, have consumed half a bottle of Merlot this afternoon. More to follow. Try it, you'll like it. I knew the bill would pass, but being right doesn't make me any happier. Now where's that friggin' corkscrew?

Posted by: sauropod at March 21, 2010 04:05 PM (hAAbr)

I'm under water if it goes back to that amount.

A long distance dedication, or 'shout out' for my buddy PJ!

Can I get a 'Woot-Woot' for my - Man-Date?!?

As always, praise to Allah and the 52%!

'Faith No More', with "Underwater Lover"- ever want to drown a bitch?...well then this song is for you!

Posted by: Barack Hussein Obama part time DJ at March 21, 2010 04:07 PM (a4rOe)

acquired a new toy.

Do Tell...

Posted by: Moron Nation at March 21, 2010 04:09 PM (a4rOe)

71 @71: It sends small pieces of metal over long distances at high speed. That's all I'm going to say.

Posted by: Joanna at March 21, 2010 04:09 PM (cQGAc)

72 Seeds, yes. Buy seeds...

Posted by: the mice at March 21, 2010 04:10 PM (a4rOe)

73 66 - Joanna, I think you are on to something...

Posted by: mikeyboss at March 21, 2010 04:11 PM (4EaGb)

74 The cap and crap, amnesty, and more crap-o-la is going to be passed as well unless we all get together, get organized, and get very busy. i know people have lives, and have businesses that they are running, but we have got to get busy NOW. if we do not the consequences will be dire. once this crap is law we can not turn it back. people, an individual can not fight an organization, it takes an organization to fight an organization. we also need to re-write our narrative. we have been branded as being racists, homophobes, bigots, adn uneducated. we need to get a PR campaign going that gets OUR narrative OUT. bill ayers once said, "don't even let them get out thier narrative," and he was speaking of US, naturally. as a man of words, he knows the power of words. we have allowed this to happen, and it is up to everyone of us to take some responsibility and get busy to turn things around. if we don't, then we might as well just close up shop, and move to venezuela. i am planning on taking a leave of abscence from my obligations to work on getting some of these morons out of office in the next election. i challenge others here to do the same. we need to mount a legal challenge to this crappy health care bill, and then get ready to fight the unions, the leftists communist pro illegal immigrant thugs, and the environmental leftist anarchists as the obama admin tries to rham amnesty, cap and crap, and everyother form of garbage down our throats - against OUR will.

remember...the majority of the american people DO NOT support this health care bill! every poll shows this!

Posted by: mistress overdone at March 21, 2010 04:11 PM (2/oBD)

72 @71

Well, that's almost as exciting!

_{Center-Mass, Lass.}

Posted by: Moron Nation at March 21, 2010 04:13 PM (a4rOe)

76 5,421 membersSee Benishek for Congress is on Facebook. Yes WE CAN.

Posted by: jamie at March 21, 2010 04:15 PM (CTJDC)

77 @76: Whaddaya mean, "almost"? :-P

Posted by: Joanna at March 21, 2010 04:16 PM (cQGAc)

I'm going to lose my job. As will most people who work at health insurers. Taxes and levies on insurers will go up, we've already been told that we'll be "operating at a loss" for the nex few years. Less money, more taxes equals more unemployed workers.

I'm thinking I'll just move back to Canada or make aliyah.

Posted by: experience smeperience at March 21, 2010 04:26 PM (8mpdw)

79 Again: This will not die until the means to fund it are dead.

That means either we make a pact to stop paying taxes--Say 1 million who vow to not pay and a common fund for their defense; they can't throw everybody in jail.

Or: Deny the authority of any federal officer attempting to enforce the collection. That means: Order of the mayor, governor, legislature that no state or local official or person in the state shall enforce the service or the summons of a federal court in regards to a tax matter and declaring that any person attempting to enforce such shall be removed from the state or jailed; that no state or local prison or detention facility shall be used to hold or restrain any person in regards to a federal tax matter.

Posted by: jimmuy at March 21, 2010 04:28 PM (VzKKc)

80 Well, the Donks decided they just had to have their bill passed, right? Whatever it took, right? Fine, November is still coming, and a lot of irate people are going to vote for candidates who aren't (D) on the ballot. Maybe if enough Republicans get elected, they can undo some of the damage... I hope Stupak got that EO pledge in writing. It'd be just like Obaka to offer the abortion pledge, then withdraw it 11 month later after the pro-abortion people lodge their complaint.

Posted by: exdem13 at March 21, 2010 04:35 PM (lYKj1)

Ok, here's my plan: everyone who I can possibly vote for that voted against this, gets my vote; as for the party that birthed this monstrosity: I'm not a registered anything, but I do know the political party that sold the republic down the river today. I won't forget, and I certainly won't forgive. I won't vote for anyone from that party, even if they run unopposed for city dog catcher. I plan on campaigning against them even (vigorously so), and I plan on spreading the word about my plan to everyone willing to listen. I encourage people to do the same.

As for myself: I already know how to garden, fish, hunt, shift for myself -- and I've lived on very modest (even hobo-esque if you will) means before. And while it will hurt to get rid of some of the things that have made life pleasant, it will not break me...and will only strengthen my resolve to see this ultimately defeated.

That's my vow; I encourage others to make a vow for themselves.

Posted by: unknown jane at March 21, 2010 04:43 PM (5/yRG)

82 So what happens now?

My plans for going Galt are ever more urgent. That dude Celente might just be right about neo-survivalism.

Posted by: rockhead at March 21, 2010 04:47 PM (RykTt)

83 The only way to repeal is a 2010 - 2012 combined campaign. The good news is the Obama veto will look shabby if the GOP takes over in a landslide.

Posted by: sexypig at March 21, 2010 04:59 PM (0t7L8)

84 Also, if this bill causes unemployment numbers to start going back up, that will spell BAD news for Dems in 2010 and 2012.

Posted by: sexypig at March 21, 2010 05:00 PM (0t7L8)

85 This bill is going to kill the health care industry in the U.S. Not overnight, and probably not until after the next presidential election. But the medical field will be less attractive to the best and the brightest, clinics will close and new ones won't open, hospitals will fail and pharmaceutical manufacturers will sit on their development. Eventually there will be real health care crisis, and not just for the "uninsured". That is the moment the Left will be waiting for: the State will ride in on its white horse to save the day with government-run health care. The story will be that the "market failed" and the State "had no choice" but assume the burden. This whole health care reform kabuki is nothing more than the Left successfully killing a vital market and assuming the powers for themselves. Welcome to the People's Republic of Amerika.

Posted by: FlyingPig at March 21, 2010 05:08 PM (G1AXB)

86 Problem is, there are goodies in their that people are going to like immediately. Like being able to keep your kids on your plan till they are 26.

While the painful parts will seem more diluted, distant, and spread over time.

Posted by: Alana at March 21, 2010 05:09 PM (sJUOE)

87 *there

Posted by: Alana at March 21, 2010 05:10 PM (sJUOE)

88 87 Considering my family's income, and the fact that all my kids go to the military before college, keeping the kids on our insurance is not a "goody". I can imagine the type of parents who would think it so, however.

Posted by: unknown jane at March 21, 2010 05:15 PM (5/yRG)

89 There is no differences between the parties. Stay home on election day and purge the RINOs.

Posted by: Michelle Malkin at March 21, 2010 05:21 PM (9fjyr)

90 Couple things:
1) What do we do now? Force Congress to surrender their plan, and have to live under this one. That would be easier than repealing this monster.

2) Lotsa talk about taxes for four years before the costs kick in. Do you really think that that tax money will be there in four years? Shit, that whole account will be nothin' but a heaping stack of IOUs. When has Congress - hell, Dem or Rep - ever been able to keep their hands off of a big stash.

3) Add all of those HCR ObamaCare IOUs onto the Social Security IOUs that they're gonna have to start printing money for, and watch inflation REALLY kick in about that time. Ought to put our debt picture at well north of 25% of GDP, which will cost the USA its AAA rating.

4) We had to bail out all those freakin' money lenders and car makers 'cause failure would have been to awful to contemplate. Man, that's nothing compared to what things will look like when the dollar collapses.

5) On the bright side, that Social Security / Medicare ponzi scheme will finally collapse along with it.

Posted by: ss396 at March 21, 2010 05:41 PM (IfigT)

91 So what are the chances of martial law happening? I don't scare easily. Yet I do want to be prepared.

Posted by: justme at March 21, 2010 06:23 PM (2U5kQ)

92 Want a bitter dessert to top off the shit sandwich? Consider the probability that the GOP will kill in the fall elections. I'm less certain about that now because:

Some of the benefits kick in around mid-late September: kids can stay on their parents insurance up to the age of 26; pre-existing coverage bans go away; and old folk get around $250 to close the donut hole. People who receive those benefits will vote en masse to keep the people who gave them those goodies in office and they will fight like hell to keep people who want to change/remove those benefits from them.

Tactically, this is smart. Have some benefits kick in about 6 weeks before the election to try and make some voters think that their unicorns have just arrived.

Strategically, no GOPer from a blue-ish district can ever vote for total repeal. The best that can be done is to kill funding for parts and pieces of the bill so as to slowly repeal it. This may prove difficult with our Lord and Savior sitting at the right hand of himself in the Oval Office for the next couple of years.

Fuck. Now I've got to figure out what to do to ensure my children's freedom. Right now, the U.S. isn't looking too good in the long term.

Posted by: physics geek at March 21, 2010 07:09 PM (llWHs)

93 95 But of course...bastiges. Ok, that means we just have to work all the harder.

Posted by: unknown jane at March 21, 2010 07:13 PM (5/yRG)

94 It is so encouraging to find this. The pricks behind all this seem to prefer the country being so antagonistically divided rather than take into consideration the reasonable objections a clear majority of Americans have repeatedly and passionately voiced. I've noticed the written expressions of those in favor all parrot the same pamphlet-pocket-prompter mantras. They've taken after their Leader by letting their heads swell with a false pride in their intellect. But here, I see real talent, the real creativity, the real abilities. As someone said, they seek to paint the opposition in colors that suggest ignorant, racist, lowlife trash, but really, it is they who are the idiots. But that makes them dangerous. They're deluded and certain. If I think too much about what's been happening I get depressed and despondent; but if I can attempt to think in terms of real hope: maybe, maybe, maybe, maybe, this will be the wakeup call America's needed. Cuz I'm not political. I'd rather write pretty poems and pick pretty flowers and enjoy life without intruding on another's space to enjoy theirs. But if I must put the poetry away and contribute what I can to confront the darkness spreading all across this great country... Pelosi/Obama are correct: this is historical.

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