Ace of Spades HQ

March 17, 2014

Unexpectedly, Vermont's Plan for a State Single-Payer System Is Also Circling the Drain
— Ace

Vermont didn't embrace Obamacare. You see, Obamacare didn't go far enough. Vermont instead choose to meet Obamacare's legal mandates on the states by implementing a single-payer system, planned for a 2017 start-up. The law -- is it even a law anymore? -- permits states to seek a waiver from Obamacare's other strictures if they propose their own plan which is at least as generous (that is, socialized) as Obamacare itslef.

It's gone about as well as you might expect.

Rep. Jim Condon [a "Blue Dog Democrat" who voted against the plan when it was proposed in 2011] told Vermont Watchdog it's time for Gov. Peter Shumlin to shelve the ambitious plan immediately.
"The deadlines for proposing financing have been missed two years in a row now, so to me that's very disappointing. It's becoming clearer and clearer that there is no financing plan," Condon told Vermont Watchdog.
As Vermont Watchdog reported, an independent report by the Washington, D.C.-based consulting firm Avalere Health concluded that the costs of Green Mountain Care would require Vermont to raise tax revenue roughly equal to the state's tax collections from all sources today.

And, um, it's costing a lot more money than originally claimed. Who knew?

Thanks to @johnekdahl.

Posted by: Ace at 10:04 AM | Comments (222)
Post contains 215 words, total size 2 kb.

1 Vermont hoisted on its own petard.

Posted by: zombie at March 17, 2014 10:06 AM (mizYg)

2 Ace - You mean 'Chooses' or 'Chose', right? See I read some of the post.

Posted by: garrett at March 17, 2014 10:07 AM (/076+)

3 Vermont is a beautiful state and has the most fucked up people.

Posted by: Velvet Ambition at March 17, 2014 10:07 AM (R8hU8)

4 Politicians: "Free healthcare for everyone!" Liberals: "SWOOOOON!" Reality: "Did we say "Free"? Sorry, we meant, "Cost every cent in your bank account." Fork it over."

Posted by: zombie at March 17, 2014 10:08 AM (mizYg)

5 Folks who whine that they want single payer / everyone put on Medicare need to take a close look at what it currently costs their employer to insure them. That's how much taxes will have to go up, plus some to cover those not employed, plus more to cover the inevitable federl waste, fraud, corruption, graft, etc.

Posted by: goy at March 17, 2014 10:08 AM (oGez1)

6 A blue dog democrat, aren't they extinct like dinosaurs? I'm sure US Senator Bernie Sanders will come up with a solution for this monetary problem. All socialists do.

Posted by: Misanthopic Humanitarian at March 17, 2014 10:08 AM (HVff2)

7 The cows are holding out. Shakedown time!

Posted by: MWR, Proud Tea(rrorist) Party Bossy Assault Hobbit [/u][/i][/s][/b] at March 17, 2014 10:08 AM (4df7R)

8 " The law -- is it even a law anymore? --"
===============

THASH WHAT I KEEP ASHKING!!1!

It'sh sho shtoopid. Shtoopid PALIN!

Posted by: Drunk Peggy Noonan at March 17, 2014 10:08 AM (/AHDz)

9 Did anybody see this coming?
I mean, it's like this came out of nowhere.

/Leftists
/sarc

Posted by: Nom de Blog at March 17, 2014 10:08 AM (JSmUP)

10 Vermont, come for the cold stay for the high taxes.

It sells itself.

Posted by: Dr Spank at March 17, 2014 10:09 AM (slXFW)

11 What round does Obama have Vermont going out in?

Posted by: garrett at March 17, 2014 10:09 AM (/076+)

12 Lots of far left Californians moved out that way. Burn.

Posted by: artisanal 'ette at March 17, 2014 10:09 AM (IXrOn)

13 Vermont stole the Malaysian plane to resell and fund O'care.

Posted by: tbodie at March 17, 2014 10:09 AM (jNNPU)

14 100% tax increase? Bet those Commie sploogein their pants imagining that.

Posted by: DangerGirl and her Sanity Prod (tm) at March 17, 2014 10:09 AM (32Scy)

15 " The law -- is it even a law anymore? --" I can't even keep track of what's been delayed etc.

Posted by: Minnfidel at March 17, 2014 10:10 AM (/rlXg)

16 We like our commie served hot 'n heavy.

Posted by: Vermonters at March 17, 2014 10:10 AM (Dwehj)

17 Maybe they just there own in place and haven't implemented in order to avoid the ACA bullshit.
Better to be dealing with your own made up bullshit that someone elses

Posted by: Matt at March 17, 2014 10:10 AM (ZFeRc)

18 Who can take a sunrise
Sprinkle it with dew
Cover it with choc'late and a miracle or two?
Not Vermont.

Posted by: WalrusRex at March 17, 2014 10:10 AM (XUKZU)

19 You naive people think it's called "Green Mountain Care" because "Vermont" meand "Green Mountain" in French. Actually, it's called "Green Mountain Care" because it would cost a mountain of greenbacks to fund. The logo is a gigantic mound of $100 bills.

Posted by: zombie at March 17, 2014 10:10 AM (mizYg)

20 100% tax increase? Bet those Commie sploogein their pants imagining that. Posted by: DangerGirl and her Sanity Prod (tm) at March 17, 2014 02:09 PM (32Scy) And that's just the ante

Posted by: Velvet Ambition at March 17, 2014 10:10 AM (R8hU8)

21 itslef syrup

Posted by: artisanal 'ette at March 17, 2014 10:10 AM (IXrOn)

22 I'll note that Sen. Bernie Sanders (bolshevIk-VT) was pushing national single-payer heavily during the ObamaCare debate. Dingy Harry violated Senate rules during one of Sanders' pushes for this in order to kill an attempt by the Republicans to have the entire bill read out loud by withholding consent.

Posted by: Brandon In Baton Rouge at March 17, 2014 10:10 AM (APuJ7)

23 Vermont is proof that Maple Candy leads to Cognitive Delay.

Posted by: garrett at March 17, 2014 10:11 AM (/076+)

24 Vermont is full of Yankees and socialists. Screw 'em.

Posted by: maddogg at March 17, 2014 10:11 AM (xWW96)

25 Wait, you mean socialist bullshit doesn't work? Again?

Man, even the Houston Astros win a game every once in a while.

Posted by: Circa (Insert Year Here) at March 17, 2014 10:11 AM (k7N5n)

26 Vermont is a beautiful state and has the most fucked up people.

Posted by: Velvet Ambition at March 17, 2014 02:07 PM (R8hU .........

Ahem.

Posted by: California at March 17, 2014 10:11 AM (wAQA5)

27 In order to support the socialized health systems in Europe, individual tax rates are all 40%+

So not terribly surprising. They want socialism? Then fork over your paycheck, suckers.

Posted by: Dave in Fla at March 17, 2014 10:11 AM (+5bkH)

28 Vermont's much too close to Quebec. It's a disease.

Posted by: artisanal 'ette at March 17, 2014 10:11 AM (IXrOn)

29 Socialism failing?! The deuce you say!

Posted by: toby928© at March 17, 2014 10:12 AM (QupBk)

30 But, but it's SOCIALISM! How could that go wrong?

Posted by: Average Stoned Vermonter at March 17, 2014 10:12 AM (RD7QR)

31 >23 Vermont is proof that Maple Candy leads to Cognitive Delay.

Posted by: garrett at March 17, 2014 02:11 PM (/076+)<

Ahahahahahaha!

Posted by: Muad'dib at March 17, 2014 10:12 AM (sjdRT)

32 19 You naive people think it's called "Green Mountain Care" because "Vermont" meand "Green Mountain" in French. You know, I never noticed that before. Ver mont. You learn something new every day at this smart military blog.

Posted by: Citizen X at March 17, 2014 10:12 AM (7ObY1)

33 "The deadlines for proposing financing have been missed two years in a row now, so to me that's very disappointing. It's becoming clearer and clearer that there is no financing plan," Condon told Vermont Watchdog.

But there is a plan. It is for the rest of the country's taxpayers to pay for VT. Count on it.

Of course, every other state has the same plan, so there's that.

Posted by: pep at March 17, 2014 10:12 AM (4nR9/)

34 26 Vermont is a beautiful state and has the most fucked up people.Posted by: Velvet Ambition at March 17, 2014 02:07 PM (R8hU .........Ahem. --- Vermont's people are homegrown. Cali's people tend to be transplants from south of the border or all the fruits and nuts rolling west.

Posted by: Brandon In Baton Rouge at March 17, 2014 10:12 AM (APuJ7)

If some think single payer would solve the Ocare problems, they need to be reminded of how much of their hard-earned money would be confiscated to pay for this marxist bullshit.

I don't even call it socialism anymore. I tell people it's marxism.

Posted by: Soona at March 17, 2014 10:13 AM (0IPQM)

36 Ah yes, the States. Laboratories of statism.

Posted by: Steve in Greensboro at March 17, 2014 10:13 AM (bbivj)

Folks, if lily white, pretty rich Vermont can't swing this shit and make it feasible, just how in the fuck are the much poorer states ever going to make it work??

Whirlwind coming. Do you care about your future, or a politician's view on buttfucking??

Posted by: prescient11 at March 17, 2014 10:13 AM (tVTLU)

38 Hilarious. What a fucked-up state.

Posted by: Malaysia at March 17, 2014 10:13 AM (slXFW)

39 Doubling its state income tax will put Vermont in California's league. Speaking as a Californian, I would point out that we're not exactly the model of fiscal success out here.

Just sayin'.

Posted by: Cicero (@cicero) at March 17, 2014 10:13 AM (8ZskC)

40 Vermont? The only thing that comes out of Vermont is broken legs, syrup, or queers. And I don't see no broken limbs on you boy

Posted by: Nevergiveup at March 17, 2014 10:13 AM (t3UFN)

41 Are there eucalyptus forests in Vermont?

Posted by: Picky Pick Koalas at March 17, 2014 10:14 AM (JBggj)

42 25 Wait, you mean socialist bullshit doesn't work? Again? Man, even the Houston Astros win a game every once in a while. Posted by: Circa (Insert Year Here) New state motto: "Vermont - the only place with worse accuracy than a broken clock!"

Posted by: zombie at March 17, 2014 10:14 AM (mizYg)

43 The law -- is it even a law anymore? -- *twitches on ground* delegationdoctinemotherfuckersdoyouspeakit *twitches more* The eyes on that monkey orchid follow you. *slaps postit on monitor*

Posted by: alexthechick - SMOD/Orion Death Star 2016 at March 17, 2014 10:14 AM (VtjlW)

44 Momentarily OT is I may.... Sad and rage inducing moment of the day: Guy stopped by our office asking for directions. I talk to him for a minute. He's wearing a Vietnam Vet hat. "Sir? You served in Nam?" "Yeah...." "Thank you." He sticks his hand right out, "How bout that? You're number 30." "That's an awfully low number. I would hope it would be higher." "You and me both. That's 30 since 1970 btw. You're the 30th person since 1970 to say thank you." ".......that's ****ing pathetic. Scuse my french. I'm very sorry for that and again, thank you." "I appreciate that young man. Have a good day." What is the matter with people???? What is so hard about saying thank you? I don't give a crap what your opinion on the politics of war is, the people that serve deserve our gratitude and respect. Thank a vet.

Posted by: BCochran1981 - Credible Hulk at March 17, 2014 10:14 AM (da5Wo)

45 Oh, and they have the VAT too, how could I forget that.

Posted by: Dave in Fla at March 17, 2014 10:15 AM (+5bkH)

46 They're going to have to sell a helluva lot of maple syrup to make up that shortfall.

Posted by: Insomniac at March 17, 2014 10:15 AM (DrWcr)

47 As I have said, in order to go Plan B, Plan B has to work. What happens when Plan B goes tits up?

Posted by: rickb223 at March 17, 2014 10:16 AM (btB7y)

48 Buffalo is supposedly a corruption of zee Franch "beau fleuve." Which makes sense since there weren't any buffalo near Buffalo even when there were vast herds of Buffalo. And I guess the stinky, polluted Niagara River was "beau" at one point in time.

Posted by: Citizen X at March 17, 2014 10:16 AM (7ObY1)

49 Folks, if lily white, pretty rich Vermont can't swing this shit and make it feasible, just how in the fuck are the much poorer states ever going to make it work??

Vermont has 630,000 people.

I know, it WILL work for 315,000,000 people!!!

I'z a great choice for Secretary of Health and Hummus Sanwiches.

Posted by: Circa (Insert Year Here) at March 17, 2014 10:16 AM (k7N5n)

50 There are no "conservative Democrats. Abd Vermint, the State that gave us the only elected communist (or the only one that admits it).

Posted by: Vic[/i] at March 17, 2014 10:16 AM (T2V/1)

51 Ithink Vermont and California should go full speed into commie nirvana. They deserve it.

Posted by: maddogg at March 17, 2014 10:17 AM (xWW96)

52 They're going to have to sell a helluva lot of maple syrup to make up that shortfall. In fairness, it is the crack cocaine of breakfast sweeteners.

Posted by: toby928© at March 17, 2014 10:17 AM (QupBk)

53 Since I spend a small fortune on Phish tickets every year, I think I am qualified to be outraged over VT pissing away my cash on this boondoggle.

Posted by: mugiwara at March 17, 2014 10:17 AM (kRecQ)

54 What happens when Plan B goes tits up?

Start stealing underwear.

Posted by: the gnomes at March 17, 2014 10:17 AM (FrfNj)

55 Dingy Harry violated Senate rules during one of Sanders' pushes for this in order to kill an attempt by the Republicans to have the entire bill read out loud by withholding consent. Posted by: Brandon In Baton Rouge at March 17, 2014 02:10 PM (APuJ7) Ahem. RTFBYMFMF Ahem. Hmmm. It just occurred to me that if I change it to RTFBYFF, you could sing it to tune of the Uncle Fucker song. Hmmmm. Shall ponder.

Posted by: alexthechick - SMOD/Orion Death Star 2016 at March 17, 2014 10:17 AM (VtjlW)

56 What is the matter with people???? What is so hard about saying thank you? I don't give a crap what your opinion on the politics of war is, the people that serve deserve our gratitude and respect. --- A lot of vets don't advertise for a number of reasons. My dad has told me the story of coming home circa 1970 and having a conversation with a little girl up the street asking a lot about what he did over there. He eventually asked her why she was so interested and she said "So I could know if there was a killer living up the street." Needless to say, he didn't like discussing much about his service over there until about the past 10 years.

Posted by: Brandon In Baton Rouge at March 17, 2014 10:17 AM (APuJ7)

57 Vermont's state motto: Hey, we tried!

Posted by: EC at March 17, 2014 10:17 AM (GQ8sn)

58 yeah, but it'll be a Quality Plan.

Posted by: Mallfly at March 17, 2014 10:17 AM (bJm7W)

59 RTFBYMFMF Ahem. Hmmm. It just occurred to me that if I change it to RTFBYFF, you could sing it to tune of the Uncle Fucker song. Hmmmm. Shall ponder. --- "Read The Mother Fucking Bill You Mother Fucking Mother Fuckers"?

Posted by: Brandon In Baton Rouge at March 17, 2014 10:18 AM (APuJ7)

60 46 They're going to have to sell a helluva lot of maple syrup to make up that shortfall.

Posted by: Insomniac at March 17, 2014 02:15 PM (DrWcr)

Milk! We'll milk the cows faster!

Posted by: Average Stoned Vermonter at March 17, 2014 10:18 AM (RD7QR)

61 I suggest we sell Vermont to Canada before this information gets out.

Posted by: Vashta Nerada at March 17, 2014 10:18 AM (0Jb7F)

62 One small nugget of Vermont is pretty cool. Norwich.

Posted by: Lincolntf at March 17, 2014 10:18 AM (ZshNr)

63 But government usually spends money so responsibly!

Posted by: --- at March 17, 2014 10:18 AM (MMC8r)

64 Milk! We'll milk the cows faster!

Posted by: Average Stoned Vermonter at March 17, 2014 02:18 PM (RD7QR)

Um, dude, that's a bull.

Posted by: Insomniac at March 17, 2014 10:18 AM (DrWcr)

65 Inconceivable!

Posted by: Vizzini at March 17, 2014 10:18 AM (zDsvJ)

66 You wanted San Francisco You'll settle for Brattleboro You'll get Detroit .

Posted by: awkward davies at March 17, 2014 10:19 AM (whqez)

67 The reason this isn't working is because Haliburton lied to our glorious President Obama.

Posted by: Mary Cloggenstein, Brattleboro VT at March 17, 2014 10:19 AM (Aif/5)

68 Milk! We'll milk the cows faster!
Posted by: Average Stoned Vermonter

Ooooh. Kinky.

Posted by: Sandra Fluke at March 17, 2014 10:19 AM (4nR9/)

69 26 Vermont is a beautiful state and has the most fucked up people.Posted by: Velvet Ambition at March 17, 2014 02:07 PM --------------------- .........Ahem. Posted by: California at March 17, 2014 02:11 PM (wAQA5) -------------------- We're working on it! We're working on it!

Posted by: Colorado at March 17, 2014 10:19 AM (dfYL9)

70 I suggest we sell Vermont to Canada before this information gets out.

Sell?

Posted by: Circa (Insert Year Here) at March 17, 2014 10:19 AM (k7N5n)

71 Our prisons are going to be full once all the fraudsters and criminals associated with this "law" are convicted.

Posted by: pj at March 17, 2014 10:19 AM (ZWaLo)

72 What difference, at this point, does it make?

Posted by: Hillary Clinton at March 17, 2014 10:19 AM (GjPnA)

73 Green Mountain Healthcare ad slogan: "Healthcare just like Cuba's Â— but without the cockroaches!"

Posted by: zombie at March 17, 2014 10:19 AM (mizYg)

74 I worked with a guy here in OK. He makes over 100k, company car, phone etc etc. He won't marry his baby mama cuz she gets free house, food, utilities, healthcare etc. 100k goes a long way when you have no bills.

Posted by: Big Ben at March 17, 2014 10:20 AM (I5Htn)

75 A lot of vets don't advertise for a number of reasons. My dad has told me the story of coming home circa 1970 and having a conversation with a little girl up the street asking a lot about what he did over there. He eventually asked her why she was so interested and she said "So I could know if there was a killer living up the street." Needless to say, he didn't like discussing much about his service over there until about the past 10 years. Posted by: Brandon In Baton Rouge at March 17, 2014 02:17 PM (APuJ7) It's sad. Anytime I speak to a Vietnam Vet, they're initially very wary. You can see it. Hell, even the WWII vet I got to speak to a few months ago seemed shocked that someone would thank him.

Posted by: BCochran1981 - Credible Hulk at March 17, 2014 10:20 AM (da5Wo)

76 Wait for it...

...
...
...

In many ways, this is the story of Obama.

Posted by: Circa (Insert Year Here) at March 17, 2014 10:20 AM (k7N5n)

77 As I noted before, Vermont is the only state where I have been driving down a 4 lane highway, had it turn into a two lane road, and then a couple of miles later become a gravel track for a couple of miles and then reverse. I also got directions there that included the phrase 'Turn right about a mile before where the old barn used to be.' A fascinating state indeed.

Posted by: toby928© at March 17, 2014 10:21 AM (QupBk)

78 61 I suggest we sell Vermont to Canada before this information gets out. --- Obama's going to sell it to private investors to serve as the world's largest outdoor shopping mall. When reached for comment, Obama said "At least I didn't sell it to the fucking Japanese."

Posted by: Margaret Lawhon, WBRZ Channel 2 News at March 17, 2014 10:21 AM (APuJ7)

79 Milk! We'll milk the cows faster! Posted by: Average Stoned Vermonter at March 17, 2014 02:18 PM (RD7QR) Um, dude, that's a bull. And you don't stop until he says to......

Posted by: rickb223 at March 17, 2014 10:21 AM (Rkdwu)

80 71 Our prisons are going to be full once all the fraudsters and criminals associated with this "law" are convicted.
Posted by: pj

Heh. Good one.

Posted by: Eric Holder at March 17, 2014 10:21 AM (4nR9/)

81 'Free' healthcare comes with a big tax bill. Look at all the NHS paradise.

Posted by: --- at March 17, 2014 10:21 AM (MMC8r)

82 "Read The Mother Fucking Bill You Mother Fucking Mother Fuckers"? Posted by: Brandon In Baton Rouge at March 17, 2014 02:18 PM (APuJ7) Bingo bango though you added an M. It's my only kinda sorta joking suggestion to start a group to promote the adoption of a Constitution amendment that requires the full, complete and final text of every bill to be read from the floor of the House and Senate by a human being reading at a normal speed prior to any vote being taken on that bill.

Posted by: alexthechick - SMOD/Orion Death Star 2016 at March 17, 2014 10:21 AM (VtjlW)

83 The math will never work for single-payer. Medicare is single-payer for 65+ people and it is bankrupting the Federal Government, adding everyone else is impossible.

Posted by: Larsen E. Whipsnade at March 17, 2014 10:21 AM (rXcBX)

84 Yup, everybody should drive through Vermont once.

Posted by: Lincolntf at March 17, 2014 10:21 AM (ZshNr)

85 The only thing good in VT is the Vermont Country Store.

Posted by: Vic[/i] at March 17, 2014 10:22 AM (T2V/1)

86 72 What difference, at this point, does it make? Posted by: Hillary Clinton Oh the devil will find work for idle hands to do I stole and then I lied just because you asked me to but now you know the truth about me you won't see me anymore well, I'm still fond of you But no more apologies no more apologies I'm too tired, I'm so very tired and I'm feeling very sick and ill today but I'm still fond of you So what difference does it make? so what difference does it make?

Posted by: zombie at March 17, 2014 10:22 AM (mizYg)

87 78 61 I suggest we sell Vermont to Canada before this information gets out. ------- You want to tip Canada over!?

Posted by: Hank Johnson at March 17, 2014 10:22 AM (Aif/5)

88 70 I suggest we sell Vermont to Canada before this information gets out.

Sell?

Posted by: Circa (Insert Year Here) at March 17, 2014 02:19 PM (k7N5n)

Okay, how about a straight-up swap for Alberta? [Struggles to maintain straight face]

Posted by: joncelli at March 17, 2014 10:22 AM (RD7QR)

89 Actually, it's called "Green Mountain Care" because... Do we really have to spell it out?

Posted by: The Horses at March 17, 2014 10:22 AM (0cMkb)

90 It's my only kinda sorta joking suggestion to start a group to promote the adoption of a Constitution amendment that requires the full, complete and final text of every bill to be read from the floor of the House and Senate by a human being reading at a normal speed prior to any vote being taken on that bill. Posted by: alexthechick - SMOD/Orion Death Star 2016 at March 17, 2014 02:21 PM (VtjlW) I'm in. Shut up.

Posted by: BCochran1981 - Credible Hulk at March 17, 2014 10:22 AM (da5Wo)

91 Okay, how about a straight-up swap for Alberta? [Struggles to maintain straight face]

Posted by: joncelli at March 17, 2014 02:22 PM (RD7QR)

We'll give you Quebec since Vermont is already close to it.

Posted by: EC at March 17, 2014 10:23 AM (GQ8sn)

92 Maths - how does it work?

Posted by: BackwardsBoy, who did not vote for this shit[/i][/u][/b][/s] at March 17, 2014 10:23 AM (0HooB)

93 Health care paid for by someone else is a civil right. Also, my cock up your ass is a civil right, so grab your ankles.

Posted by: Prog-aggressive at March 17, 2014 10:23 AM (yhJhK)

94 83 The math will never work for single-payer. Medicare is single-payer for 65+ people and it is bankrupting the FederalGovernment, adding everyone else is impossible. Posted by: Larsen E. Whipsnade You're forgetting about our ace in the hole: We'll get the fetuses to pay for it!

Posted by: zombie at March 17, 2014 10:23 AM (mizYg)

95 "5 Folks who whine that they want single payer / everyone put on Medicare need to take a close look at what it currently costs their employer to insure them. That's how much taxes will have to go up, plus some to cover those not employed, plus more to cover the inevitable federl waste, fraud, corruption, graft, etc.

Posted by: goy at March 17, 2014 02:08 PM (oGez1)"

No. No. No. You don't understand. Once all the obscene profits that the insurance companies extract are eliminated from the system, everybody can get the best health care and it will actually cost less.

And if you disagree you are just a heartless Republican shill for the insurance companies and you are just trying to kill women and minorities through medical neglect.

Posted by: Obnoxious A-hole at March 17, 2014 10:23 AM (PD6iL)

96 The math will never work for single-payer. Medicare is single-payer for 65+ people and it is bankrupting the FederalGovernment, adding everyone else is impossible.

Like communism, it just hasn't been implemented properly yet.

Posted by: Cicero (@cicero) at March 17, 2014 10:23 AM (8ZskC)

97 The math will never work for single-payer. Medicare is single-payer for 65+ people and it is bankrupting the FederalGovernment, adding everyone else is impossible.

You're anti-science and caught in 19th century thinking. Also a racist and you want to kill women, children, grandma, and all the puppies.

Posted by: Circa (Insert Year Here) at March 17, 2014 10:23 AM (k7N5n)

98 I worked with a guy here in OK. He makes over 100k, company car, phone etc etc. He won't marry his baby mama cuz she gets free house, food, utilities, healthcare etc. 100k goes a long way when you have no bills.

Posted by: Big Ben at March 17, 2014 02:20 PM (I5Htn)

---------------------------------------------------

100K would go a long way in OK even with all those things.

Posted by: Soona at March 17, 2014 10:24 AM (0IPQM)

99 Our state has really cranked up their health plan finder commercials. They are using obnoxious pseudo rap stars that are supposed to remind us of Macklemore and Ryan Lewis.

Posted by: ParanoidGirlinSeattle at March 17, 2014 10:24 AM (RZ8pf)

100 There is an unbelievable amount of welfare and disability fraud going on. I mean billions. I don't know how the theiving motherfuckers look at themselves in the morning. Not kidding, it is rampant. A fucking catastrophe.

Posted by: maddogg at March 17, 2014 10:24 AM (xWW96)

101 94 83 The math will never work for single-payer. Medicare is single-payer for 65+ people and it is bankrupting the FederalGovernment, adding everyone else is impossible.
Posted by: Larsen E. Whipsnade

You're forgetting about our ace in the hole:

We'll get the fetuses to pay for it!

Posted by: zombie at March 17, 2014 02:23 PM (mizYg)

You are forgetting one thing:

High-speed rail!!!!

Posted by: EC at March 17, 2014 10:24 AM (GQ8sn)

102

I'm in.

Shut up.

What is, "Things Moochelle Says to Barry in the Bedroom" Alex?

Posted by: Insomniac at March 17, 2014 10:24 AM (DrWcr)

103
With waivers flying left to right, right to left, up to down, down to up........does 404care apply to ANYONE anymore?

Posted by: IllTemperedCur at March 17, 2014 10:24 AM (TIIx5)

104 This is actually an approach Republicans should adopt more often.

"The Democrats have proposed something that's stupid-as-hell, we've proposed a bill that allows states to 'buy in' to this idea, and it will be the law of the land in the states with the top five bids ... and -not- elsewhere."

AKA: New York and California (+others) pay for their own dismemberment.

(You aren't suppose to have a federal law "Plan A for Vermont, Plan B for everyone else!" This is -opting-in- to the specific stupidity du jour.)

Minimum wage $50? Who is in?
Unemployment insurance?

Posted by: Al at March 17, 2014 10:25 AM (9ynpo)

105 There are not enough words in the English language to describe how much I want to leave this frozen liberalsicle. Not only did shithead Shumlin destroy our health insurance market, and jack up our premiums, the final insult is that as of Jan 1 if you have an insurance broker helping you arrange health insurance for your company then the company (read me in this case) gets a separate bill to the tune of $20 per month per employee, effectively billed by the state (actually by a politically connected company on behalf of the state). That is to pay for the broker, broker fees are no longer part of your premium. Just a way to hide how much his plans were actually going to cost.

I know -- it sucks to be me. Anybody want to buy a slightly used house where it was minus 11 degrees F this morning on the 17th of freaking March!!!

Posted by: Ira Allen at March 17, 2014 10:25 AM (mxeAx)

106 You're anti-science and caught in 19th century thinking. Also a racist and you want to kill women, children, grandma, and all the puppies.
Posted by: Circa (Insert Year Here) at March 17, 2014 02:23 PM (k7N5n)
You forgot the kitties!

Posted by: Bertram Cabot Jr. at March 17, 2014 10:25 AM (drDeB)

107 You're anti-science and caught in 19th century thinking. Also a racist and you want to kill women, children, grandma, and all the puppies.

There's a real lesson in this. The only arrow in the Dem quiver is this sort of ridiculous name-calling, and yet it continues to work. Yet when they try it on Putin, he laughs in their faces and grabs his crotch.

Posted by: pep at March 17, 2014 10:25 AM (4nR9/)

108 I've decided not to extend the deadline for Putin to purchase Affordable Health Care to 2015

Posted by: King Barry the Bracketeer at March 17, 2014 10:26 AM (aTXUx)

109 100 There is an unbelievable amount of welfare and disability fraud going on. I mean billions. I don't know how the theiving motherfuckers look at themselves in the morning. Not kidding, it is rampant. A fucking catastrophe. --- Entitlement culture is a bitch. There may be people legitimately on there, but I guarantee you a lot of these assholes milk the system for all they can get and bitch about how it isn't enough.

Posted by: Brandon In Baton Rouge at March 17, 2014 10:26 AM (APuJ7)

110 Vermont is a beautiful state and has the most fucked up people. I haven't yet perfected the criteria, but I've long held a hypothesis that the more beautiful the place, the more fucked up the local residents are. See: CA, any rain forest, most coastal cities, the Caribbean, Italy, etc. Meanwhile, flat, boring places like the American Midwest host people with a largely inoffensive temperament.

Posted by: Hollowpoint at March 17, 2014 10:26 AM (SY2Kh)

111 We spent a long weekend in Mad River Glen during the early fall one year Off-season for most of them, as it's a ski-town. Weird people everywhere we turned. Watched a hippie doofus begging his family for his job back at the restaurant where we were eating. "I could be a greeter!". A park seemingly devoted to daily festivals selling everything from a galaxy of maple products to a Universe of Handmade Crafts.

Posted by: Lincolntf at March 17, 2014 10:26 AM (ZshNr)

112 I worked with a guy here in OK. He makes over 100k, company car, phone etc etc. He won't marry his baby mama cuz she gets free house, food, utilities, healthcare etc. 100k goes a long way when you have no bills.

Incentives work?

Knock me over with a feather.

Also, someone alert the "What's Wrong with Kansas?" dipshit that Oklahoma apparently gets it.

Posted by: Circa (Insert Year Here) at March 17, 2014 10:26 AM (k7N5n)

113 We'll get the fetuses to pay for it!

Good luck with that. *smirk*

Posted by: Planned Parenthood at March 17, 2014 10:27 AM (ZKzrr)

114 >>Vermont's people are homegrown. Not really. There are a lot of transplants like Governor Yeaaaarghhhhh! Many, many New Yorkers who came for the skiing and foliage and low prices for vacation homes and stayed. My folks lived in Woodstock for a number of years but eventually got tired of the lunacy of the state. You can only eat just so much maple syrup.

Posted by: JackStraw at March 17, 2014 10:27 AM (g1DWB)

115 Use This One Weird Trick to Make Socialist Economics Work!

Posted by: zombie at March 17, 2014 10:27 AM (mizYg)

116 Well of course healthcare is going to cost more than expected in Vermont. With their inner-city ghettos, large minority population and all the illegal immigrants who immediately flood to Vermont the minute they cross the border, the problem is harder than in other states.

Posted by: jwest at March 17, 2014 10:27 AM (u2a4R)

117 Not really. There are a lot of transplants like Governor Yeaaaarghhhhh! Many, many New Yorkers who came for the skiing and foliage and low prices for vacation homes and stayed. --- I thought New York only f*cked up places like Florida and Connecticut, not Vermont as well.

Posted by: Brandon In Baton Rouge at March 17, 2014 10:28 AM (APuJ7)

118 >Meanwhile, flat, boring places like the American Midwest host people with a largely inoffensive temperament.

Posted by: Hollowpoint at March 17, 2014 02:26 PM (SY2Kh)<

Wisconsin says fuck you, you fucking fuck.

Posted by: Muad'dib at March 17, 2014 10:28 AM (sjdRT)

119
Vermont: Doubling your taxes to give you half the care! (tm)

Posted by: Guy Mohawk at March 17, 2014 10:28 AM (0Kobm)

120 Stop complaining about the cold weather, it's your own damn fault. You just HAD to buy fast food burgers with those styrofoam containers which caused global warming which has now caused global cooling and now we can't have free healthcare because you suck. Also, I'm a well informed person, so now you know you can accept what I said is the truth and if you disagree you're just ignorant cause I just told you I'm a well informed person. We should be more like Europe. I've never been, but I hear it's awesome.

Posted by: Prog-aggressive at March 17, 2014 10:29 AM (yhJhK)

121 ]i\Meanwhile, flat, boring places like the American Midwest host people with a largely inoffensive temperament.

You take that back, Mister, or I'll leave the marshmallows off of your jello salad.

Posted by: pep at March 17, 2014 10:29 AM (4nR9/)

122 More on the CA ATF raif: http://tinyurl.com/osuryvf

Posted by: MAx at March 17, 2014 10:30 AM (b7yum)

123 If Vermont would just follow the federal government's model, they could just borrow the money. Now if Vermont's case were reflected in fed budget, our debt would only be $35 trillion. That's not so bad. Unless people want to eat, that is. If they insist on eating, things could become problematic.

Posted by: LoneStarHeeb at March 17, 2014 10:30 AM (BZAd3)

124 Nothin' up my sleeve.

Posted by: Bullwinkle at March 17, 2014 10:30 AM (drDeB)

125 OT : A Malaysian Boeing 777 went missing, like last week. Has anyone heard about this? It seems like news.

Posted by: Dr Spank at March 17, 2014 10:30 AM (slXFW)

126 Stop complaining about the cold weather, it's your own damn fault. You just HAD to buy fast food burgers with those styrofoam containers which caused global warming which has now caused global cooling and now we can't have free healthcare because you suck. Also, I'm a well informed person, so now you know you can accept what I said is the truth and if you disagree you're just ignorant cause I just told you I'm a well informed person.

Oh, and coexist.

Posted by: Prog-aggressiv 2 at March 17, 2014 10:30 AM (4nR9/)

127 I got an exemption to that plan.

Posted by: Mary Cloggenstein from Brattleboro, VT at March 17, 2014 10:31 AM (VndSC)

128 Wisconsin says fuck you, you fucking fuck.

I wanna dip fried cheese curds in that.

Posted by: HR at March 17, 2014 10:31 AM (ZKzrr)

129 "the costs of Green Mountain Care would require Vermont to raise tax revenue roughly equal to the state's tax collections from all sources today."

That's a big fuckin' deal.

Posted by: Joe Biden at March 17, 2014 10:31 AM (Kkt/i)

130 Didn't Hawaii try single payer for a bit only to have the system fail as well?

Posted by: Lauren at March 17, 2014 10:31 AM (hFL/3)

131 Not a problem. Vermont just needs to plant another grove of money trees and problem solved. They can pay a commune to do it. Or they can just seize the ski slopes and use that money. Single payer ski vacations.

Posted by: Yes it sucks at March 17, 2014 10:31 AM (Vf2XA)

132 Entitlement culture is a bitch.

There may be people legitimately on there, but I guarantee you a lot of these assholes milk the system for all they can get and bitch about how it isn't enough.

Posted by: Brandon In Baton Rouge at March 17, 2014 02:26 PM (APuJ7)

------------------------------------------

My older brother (RIP) and his wife were professional government payout gamers. In 2007 he and she were raking in close to $6000 a month. And they didn't work.

Posted by: Soona at March 17, 2014 10:31 AM (0IPQM)

133 Obama has reported expressed frustration that he didn't fuck things up sooner so he could have still blamed Bush for all of this shit.

Posted by: LoneStarHeeb at March 17, 2014 10:31 AM (BZAd3)

134 124 Nothin' up my sleeve. Posted by: Bullwinkle at March 17, 2014 02:30 PM (drDeB) --- This is a healthcare bomb cleverly disguised as a healthcare bomb!

Posted by: Bullwinkle J. Moose at March 17, 2014 10:31 AM (APuJ7)

135 Just think of all the things Vermonters can sacrifice in order to afford their free health care!

Posted by: BackwardsBoy, who did not vote for this shit[/i][/u][/b][/s] at March 17, 2014 10:32 AM (0HooB)

136 Got your maple syrup? Great. How about your maple soap, your maple butter and your maple bread? Okay. Have you tried the maple ice cream paired with a maple sauce? It comes complimentary with our maple-smoked salmon, served with a maple glaze, and paired with our own Maple brandy?

Posted by: Lincolntf at March 17, 2014 10:32 AM (ZshNr)

137 Leftists have to lie. It is the only way to justify themselves. I mean, they actually go out there and say that no Vietnam Vet ever got spit upon when they came back, it's all a myth. I know Vietnam Vets who were spit upon. It's a lie they tell, to justify themselves. I am not even sure if they believe their own lies. I suppose if you knew no military people you might believe that one.

Posted by: blaster at March 17, 2014 10:32 AM (4+AaH)

138 A fucking catastrophe. Posted by: maddogg at March 17, 2014 02:24 PM (xWW96) I had one of those catastrophes happen to me once. Had to quarantine the room and embargo further entry. Been years now, I'm still too scared to open the door.

Posted by: mugiwara at March 17, 2014 10:32 AM (kRecQ)

139 Sort of off topic, but I'm thinking about an article over at HA that talked about the WH political office planning to help Dem win election this fall, and the Dems running away as fast as they can.

Consensus is that the Dems are panicked and many of them are jumping ship after the FL-13 debacle.

It occurs to me that they do actually have a way out, if they had the fortitude to try it. There is plenty of time left to actually craft an actual fix to Obamacare. They would have use a lot of GOP ideas from the past, and discard many of the sacred cows, meaning the socialists in their party won't play ball. But if it looked close enough to a "fix" that the GOP would offer, I think Boener and McConnell would go for it. If 15 Dem senators supported it, I bet they could get it voted on, despite Reid's objections, and could probably override a veto too.

Since the Senate is looking squarely at a shift of 7 to 10 seats this year, from a games theory stand point that would be a better choice.

Posted by: Dave in Fla at March 17, 2014 10:32 AM (+5bkH)

140 Wisconsin says fuck you, you fucking fuck. At any given time Wisconsin is too drunk to make a fuss. Thankfully they're mostly peaceful drunks. It's also the only state I've ever visited where fireworks were openly sold in a bar.

Posted by: Hollowpoint at March 17, 2014 10:32 AM (SY2Kh)

141 130 Didn't Hawaii try single payer for a bit only to have the system fail as well?

It only failed because the filthy haoles wouldn't pay up. Greedy bastids.

Posted by: pep at March 17, 2014 10:33 AM (4nR9/)

142 The worst thing about "single payer" is finding out that YOU are the f*cking loser that ends up as the single payer.

Posted by: Roy at March 17, 2014 10:34 AM (VndSC)

143 >>I thought New York only f*cked up places like Florida and Connecticut, not Vermont as well. The town of Woodstock was effectively taken over by the Rockefeller family. They thought it was just so quaint (which it is, that classic Budweiser christmas commercial that played for years was filmed in Woodstock) but it was just missing a few things. Like the raised power lines that ran through the down town, they messed up the ambiance. So they paid to have all of the power lines buried. And all those condos at Sugarbush, Stowe, etc.. Well there are only just so many von Trapps. Somebody else had to fill the hills with music and money and it's largely NYers, CTers and Massholes. You can guess what that led to.

Posted by: JackStraw at March 17, 2014 10:34 AM (g1DWB)

144 We have the Pains of Main to thank for our national version ... Perhaps updated adage really is true: "As Maine goes, so goes ~~the nation~~ Vermont." What a bunch of rubes ... Mary Cloggedstein hardest hit.

Posted by: Arbalest at March 17, 2014 10:35 AM (FlRtG)

145 How come the idiots who don't know the fuck of the price of things are always in charge??

Posted by: The Yellow Pug at March 17, 2014 10:35 AM (r7mtu)

146 Radieschen, I do say, you are looking largely inoffensive today.

Posted by: Muad'dib at March 17, 2014 10:35 AM (sjdRT)

147 monkey orchid follow you. *slaps postit on monitor*

Posted by: alexthechick - SMOD/Orion Death Star 2016 at March 17, 2014 02:14 PM (VtjlW)

*peers around post-it*

Posted by: Monkey Orchid at March 17, 2014 10:35 AM (Kkt/i)

148 so how does "single payer" jibe with "right to choose"?

Your turn, Liberal.

Posted by: Mallfly at March 17, 2014 10:36 AM (bJm7W)

149 Meanwhile, flat, boring places like the American Midwest host people with a largely inoffensive temperament. Posted by: Hollowpoint at March 17, 2014 02:26 PM (SY2Kh) Maybe that's because they're too busy keeping Blessed Mother Gaia from killing them all the time.

Posted by: alexthechick - SMOD/Orion Death Star 2016 at March 17, 2014 10:36 AM (VtjlW)

150 Pretty sure the monkey orchid is mentioned in Chapter 15 of Revelation.

Posted by: Circa (Insert Year Here) at March 17, 2014 10:36 AM (k7N5n)

151 Monkey Orchid ain't nothing but a fancy Weasel Orchid.

Posted by: garrett at March 17, 2014 10:36 AM (/076+)

152 But if it looked close enough to a "fix" that the GOP would offer, I think Boener and McConnell would go for it.

I hope you aren't suggesting that that would be a good idea. The only way to fix this catastrophe is complete repeal and start over. You don't buy a ship by refloating the Titanic and patching the holes.

To say nothing of the the politically idiotic move of throwing your drowning opponents a life line, which they will promptly use to strangle you when you pull them aboard.

Posted by: pep at March 17, 2014 10:37 AM (4nR9/)

153 We gave friends - leftists - who own rental property in Vermont. It was flooded by remnants of a hurricane about three years back and, of course, FEMA stepped into the breach. So, their low-life welfare recipient tenant received his FEMA check for thousands of dollars pronto. They are still waiting for theirs. Oh, to hear the vituperation they poured out concerning FEMA's performance! You voted for it, you own it, suckers!

Posted by: Krebs v Carnot: Epic Battle of the Cycling Stars™ [/i] [/b] [/s] at March 17, 2014 10:37 AM (MQJUb)

154

Posted by: soothsayer at March 17, 2014 10:37 AM (xSfiX)

155 The Koch Brothers done stole yer healthcare!

And buried all those little boys in my backyard!

Posted by: Harry Reid at March 17, 2014 10:37 AM (tv7DV)

156 Behold the awesome power of my fully prehensile stamens!

Posted by: Monkey Orchid at March 17, 2014 10:37 AM (/076+)

157 *slaps postit on monitor*

Phrasing!

Posted by: Archer's missing hyphen[/i][/b][/s] at March 17, 2014 10:37 AM (DL2i+)

158

Stop complaining about the cold weather, it's your own damn fault. You just HAD to buy fast food burgers with those styrofoam containers which caused global warming which has now caused global cooling and now we can't have free healthcare because you suck. Also, I'm a well informed person, so now you know you can accept what I said is the truth and if you disagree you're just ignorant cause I just told you I'm a well informed person. We should be more like Europe. I've never been, but I hear it's awesome.

^^^ THIS^^^

Posted by: Hillary Clinton at March 17, 2014 10:38 AM (GjPnA)

159 Consensus is that the Dems are panicked and many of them are jumping ship after the FL-13 debacle.

Since the Senate is looking squarely at a shift of 7 to 10 seats this year, from a games theory stand point that would be a better choice.

Posted by: Dave in Fla at March 17, 2014 02:32 PM (+5bkH)

Our local longtime D state rep. is switching to R this year. This is the same guy that asked my wife (the homeowner) if her mom was home when going door to door so that he could pitch his spiel.

Even the clueless get it that D's are screwed.

Posted by: flounder at March 17, 2014 10:39 AM (Kkt/i)

160 2 billion dollars for a state with a population of 600k. Yeah I think your going to have to go back to the drawing board.

Posted by: Adam Smith's Invisible Pimp Hand at March 17, 2014 10:39 AM (WdbF7)

161 How come the idiots who don't know the fuck of the price of things are always in charge?? Prog/Coms can't count. Or read history.

Posted by: BackwardsBoy, who did not vote for this shit[/i][/u][/b][/s] at March 17, 2014 10:39 AM (0HooB)

162 The Koch Brothers have built some sort of economic vortex generator in Vermont, obviously.

Posted by: Circa (Insert Year Here) at March 17, 2014 10:39 AM (k7N5n)

163 As a Sconie guy I like buying my fireworks in bars & saying fuck, fuckity, fuck

Posted by: Misanthropic Humanitarian at March 17, 2014 10:39 AM (HVff2)

164 *peers around post-it* Posted by: Monkey Orchid at March 17, 2014 02:35 PM (Kkt/i) ARRRRGGGGHHHH That's it, I'm getting the good flame thrower.

Posted by: alexthechick - SMOD/Orion Death Star 2016 at March 17, 2014 10:40 AM (VtjlW)

165 2 billion dollars for a state with a population of 600k. Yeah I think your going to have to go back to the drawing board.

Just take their property.

Posted by: Communists[/i][/b][/i][/b][/s][/s] at March 17, 2014 10:40 AM (P7Wsr)

166 Radieschen, I do say, you are looking largely inoffensive today.

I'm sorry, sir. I'll try harder.

Posted by: HR at March 17, 2014 10:40 AM (ZKzrr)

167 125 OT : A Malaysian Boeing 777 went missing, like last week. Has anyone heard about this? It seems like news. Hmmm...sounds like one for the cables.

Posted by: Charlie Gibson at March 17, 2014 10:40 AM (7ObY1)

168 216 hour rule.

Posted by: Lincolntf at March 17, 2014 10:42 AM (ZshNr)

169 >I'm sorry, sir. I'll try harder.

Posted by: HR at March 17, 2014 02:40 PM (ZKzrr)<

Nonsense my dear woman! Carry on. I myself have progressed from largely inoffensive to downright fucking placid. Looking forward to spoonies under the eyelids later on.

Posted by: Muad'dib at March 17, 2014 10:42 AM (sjdRT)

170 "167 125 OT : A Malaysian Boeing 777 went missing, like last week. Has anyone heard about this? It seems like news. " Wait. Are you serious?

Posted by: Lauren at March 17, 2014 10:42 AM (hFL/3)

171 The problem with socialism is that you eventually run out of other people's money.

Posted by: Zombie Margaret Thatcher at March 17, 2014 10:42 AM (bitz6)

172 Hi, I'm Dr Hardy...Oh, I see you cut your leg. Pretty deep... Well, let's get you fixed right up. 5cc maple syrup stat! Yeah, I'll just rub this maple syrup here. There. Good as new. *walks to next room* Hi, I'm Dr Hardy. Oooh, heart attack, huh? Well, we'll get you fixed right up. 10cc maple syrup stat! Here let me rub this maple syrup on your chest.... There. Good to go, chief! *goes to next room* ...

Posted by: Vermont Single Payer Works! at March 17, 2014 10:43 AM (0cMkb)

173 Seize the golfcourses!!!

Posted by: Zombie Hugo Chavez at March 17, 2014 10:43 AM (dfYL9)

174 80 71
Our prisons are going to be full once all the fraudsters and criminals associated with this "law" are convicted.

Posted by: pj

Heh. Good one.

Posted by: Eric Holder at March 17, 2014 02:21 PM (4nR9/)

====

You thought Clinton had a pardon party before he left office? You ain't seen nothin' yet, crackas.

Posted by: King Putt at March 17, 2014 10:43 AM (YmPwQ)

175 Posted by: Lauren

As serious as Obama is about work.

Posted by: Dr Spank at March 17, 2014 10:43 AM (slXFW)

176 I hope someone's working on a Spider Face Orchid.

Posted by: Waterhouse at March 17, 2014 10:43 AM (FrfNj)

177 Are we absolutely sure that's not an Orchid Faced Monkey? It's along about here where I should mention how much I hate fucking monkeys.

Posted by: BackwardsBoy, who did not vote for this shit[/i][/u][/b][/s] at March 17, 2014 10:43 AM (0HooB)

178 170 The hell you say.

Posted by: Boss Moss at March 17, 2014 10:43 AM (bitz6)

179 To be clear, I think trying to "fix" Obamacare is a terrible idea, it needs to be be full out repealed. But I was just thinking what I would do if I was Mark Pryor and knowing the weasels currently in charge in the GOP.

Posted by: Dave in Fla at March 17, 2014 10:43 AM (+5bkH)

180 Jack Cade: There shall be in England seven halfpenny loaves sold for a penny; the three-hooped pot shall have ten hoops and I will make it felony to drink small beer. All the realm shall be in common; and in Cheapside shall my palfrey go to grass. And when I am king, as king I will be,Â— All: God save your majesty! Jack Cade: I thank you, good people: there shall be no money. All shall eat and drink on my score; and I will apparel them all in one livery, that they may agree like brothers and worship me their lord. Dick the Butcher: The first thing we do, let's kill all the lawyers. Jack Cade: Nay, that I mean to do...

Posted by: Charlie Gibson at March 17, 2014 10:44 AM (7ObY1)

181 167 125 OT : A Malaysian Boeing 777 went missing, like last week. Has anyone heard about this? It seems like news.

====

If Faux is reporting it, it's a lie. Might as well go to infowars, wingnut.

Posted by: Libtard at March 17, 2014 10:44 AM (YmPwQ)

182 Maybe that's because they're too busy keeping Blessed Mother Gaia from killing them all the time. Posted by: alexthechick - SMOD/Orion Death Star 2016 at March 17, 2014 02:36 PM (VtjlW) Oh really?

Posted by: BCochran1981 - Credible Hulk at March 17, 2014 10:44 AM (da5Wo)

183 We've seen it over the last several years (and republicans have been no different) but as things get less tenable for the government, government overreach against citizens will get worse. Politicians from both sides speak incessantly to, and about the importance of the ever shrinking middle class while creating the environment that fosters that same diminution. This at the same time while those at every level of government are doing exceedingly well. None of these people will be willing to give any of their preferred status up and that is why and how, as things grow worse, the force of government will grow.

Posted by: LoneStarHeeb at March 17, 2014 10:44 AM (BZAd3)

184 The beach, she belong to the people!!! Seize the beach!

Posted by: Zombie Hugo Chavez at March 17, 2014 10:44 AM (dfYL9)

185 Attach a generator to my grave and I could spin megawatts

Posted by: Calvin Coolidge at March 17, 2014 10:45 AM (aTXUx)

186 Just take their property.

Posted by: Communists at March 17, 2014 02:40 PM (P7Wsr)

-----------------------------------------------

Their ultimate goal, let me assure you. You'll get a choice. Healthcare or your property. Your guns or your property. Your cars or the rest of your poperty. The list is long.

Posted by: Soona at March 17, 2014 10:45 AM (0IPQM)

187 Something tells me Vermont is already a heavily taxed state; let me go check the innertubes --

VermontÂ’s fiscal policy ranks among the worst in the country. It has the fifth highest level of taxes in the country (at 11.1 percent of personal income).

Wow. I'm shocked.

Okay, I'm lying. I'm not shocked. Double their taxes, eh? Popcorn time.

Posted by: GnuBreed at March 17, 2014 10:45 AM (cHZB7)

188 173 Seize the golfcourses!!!

Posted by: Zombie Hugo Chavez at March 17, 2014 02:43 PM (dfYL9)

EMERGCON!!!!! We must protect the golf courses at all costs!

Posted by: Barack Hussein Obama at March 17, 2014 10:46 AM (tv7DV)

189 I hope someone's working on a Spider Face Orchid.

Posted by: Waterhouse at March 17, 2014 02:43 PM (FrfNj)

How about a new Hallmark holiday? "Mail a giant hairy spider to an internet friend day"

Posted by: Larsen E. Whipsnade at March 17, 2014 10:46 AM (rXcBX)

190 This was destined to implode anyway - the single-payer system wouldn't cover schweddy balls syndrome.

Posted by: Roy at March 17, 2014 10:46 AM (VndSC)

191 VermontÂ’s fiscal policy ranks among the worst in the country. It has the fifth highest level of taxes in the country Only the 5th highest? Amateurs.

Posted by: The People's Republik of New York at March 17, 2014 10:46 AM (7ObY1)

192 WTF Vermont! Progs can ruin some of the most beautiful places on Earth. Utopias are unattainable, yet you idiots keep on trying. Every time you give up your freedomÂ—you lose! Every.Single.Time.

Posted by: Travis McGee at March 17, 2014 10:46 AM (Ph479)

193 Seize the factory!! Seize the toilet paper!!!

Posted by: Zombie Hugo Chavez at March 17, 2014 10:47 AM (dfYL9)

194 It's along about here where I should mention how much I hate fucking monkeys.

Posted by: BackwardsBoy, who did not vote for this shit at March 17, 2014 02:43 PM (0HooB)

You might be doing it wrong.

Posted by: Harry Reid at March 17, 2014 10:47 AM (Kkt/i)

195 Just take their property.

Posted by: Communists at March 17, 2014 02:40 PM (P7Wsr)

You know there's this ice cream maker in Vermont that would be totally down with this plan, you should start with them.

Posted by: Adam Smith's Invisible Pimp Hand at March 17, 2014 10:47 AM (WdbF7)

196 Vermont: Where the men are men and the sheep pay no annual deductible.

Posted by: Fritz at March 17, 2014 10:47 AM (PnMCP)

197 Hey, where's MWR? I mean, we are talking about her place of residence.... *flees*

Posted by: BCochran1981 - Credible Hulk at March 17, 2014 10:48 AM (da5Wo)

198 It's along about here where I should mention how much I hate fucking monkeys.

Posted by: BackwardsBoy, who did not vote for this shit at March 17, 2014 02:43 PM (0HooB)

If you used anti-SIV gel, you might hate it less.

Posted by: Insomniac at March 17, 2014 10:48 AM (DrWcr)

199 Vermont Watchdog is every Friday night at the single bars in VT.

Posted by: Roy at March 17, 2014 10:49 AM (VndSC)

200 You know there's this ice cream maker in Vermont that would be totally down with this plan, you should start with them.

They already sold out to multinational conglomerate Unilever.

Posted by: HR at March 17, 2014 10:49 AM (ZKzrr)

201 nood Ace up. with bonus Muzzie paedophelia

Posted by: Citizen X at March 17, 2014 10:49 AM (7ObY1)

202 200 You know there's this ice cream maker in Vermont that would be totally down with this plan, you should start with them.

They already sold out to multinational conglomerate Unilever.

Posted by: HR at March 17, 2014 02:49 PM (ZKzrr)

Money talks, bullshit gets bought out by Unilever.

Posted by: Insomniac at March 17, 2014 10:49 AM (DrWcr)

203 Don't worry about us. The plan includes lots of expensive heroin.

Posted by: Vermont at March 17, 2014 10:50 AM (Ua6T/)

204 >> It's along about here where I should mention how much I hate fucking monkeys.

Quaaludes help. At least, they do on 13 year old girls.

Posted by: Roman Polanski at March 17, 2014 10:51 AM (cHZB7)

205 In Vermont, some municipalities add their own sales tax to bills in order to profit from the tourists ( of course, that'll show 'em all when the tourists stop coming because it's so damn expensive.) True story: This past August, on our last day in Vermont after spending the summer there, I took my daughter to breakfast in a fancy organic place in Burlington. Breakfast was delicious, but when the bill came , the total seemed 'off'. That's when I notice a 10% sales tax on the meal. I asked the waitress if tourists ever complain about it..or even if the natives do. She explained that,"Here in Vermont we have a lot of homeless people and because it gets really cold in the winter, we have to have really great social programs to take care of them so we have high taxes to pay for our social programs." When I asked her if perhaps lower taxes would allow people to move to the state, create jobs and actually give the homeless work opportunities, thus getting them off the street, she looked at me dumbfoundedly.

Posted by: RondinellaMamma at March 17, 2014 10:51 AM (EJ/Tn)

206 I saw Vermont Watchdog open for the Cure at the Paladium in 1983.

Posted by: Travis McGee at March 17, 2014 10:53 AM (Ph479)

207 the problem with Barack Obama is that he'll eventually run out of printer's ink.

Posted by: Mallfly at March 17, 2014 10:54 AM (bJm7W)

208 re 205:

"Here in Vermont we have a lot of homeless people and because it gets really cold in the winter, we have to have really great social programs to take care of them so we have high taxes to pay for our social programs."

that's too much. Down south years ago (so I understand) they had a great social program called "one way ticket to NYC."

Posted by: Mallfly at March 17, 2014 10:56 AM (bJm7W)

209 @RondinellaMamma,

Which place? my in-laws now live in Burlington, I can suggest another place to take them.

The healthcare bill in Vt. was designed to force health insurance companies out of Vt. More than one leftist said this with glee. Still can't do math, but that is par for the course for politicians.

Posted by: Penfold at March 17, 2014 10:58 AM (Fbt5B)

210 Yall aint kidding about libs ruining beautiful places. Sante Fe, Taos, and a few other places have changed for worst, become all artsy fartsy,new agey,and a parody of their former selves, nottomention expensive as fuck.

Posted by: fastfreefall at March 17, 2014 11:02 AM (kONH/)

211 @ Penfold... ahhh...can;t remember the name...We had to walk down a flight of stairs ( the restaurant was under street level) The food was wonderful - all very "home grown" ,etc. but yikes! THe cost of groceries in VT! I think when the bill came, I was so traumatized that I pushed the name out of my head! I won't be going back for an extended summer for at least 3 years...maybe longer ( I was an artist-in-residence at Middlebury..now the Italian School has moved to CA...Oakland CA, for 3 years....I am so NOT going to CA!)

Posted by: RondinellaMamma at March 17, 2014 11:04 AM (EJ/Tn)

212 Just coming back to comments but has any CA moron signed the petition to split CA into Six separate entities? The theory behind it is pretty solid. Force politicians / government into competition for its citizens. Asked why six and the head of the drive basically says less than 4 would not accomplish the goal and 6 seemed like a good number.

Posted by: Yes it sucks at March 17, 2014 11:14 AM (Vf2XA)

213 @ Penfold: Magnolia Bistro???

Posted by: RondinellaMamma at March 17, 2014 11:15 AM (EJ/Tn)

214

Christ almighty, they are fucking racist as hell.

Posted by: Rev Dr E Buzz Christies at March 17, 2014 11:18 AM (xggaJ)

215 @82 - and only those members who are present and attentive for the entire reading may vote on the bill.

Posted by: Laughing in Texas at March 17, 2014 11:20 AM (eBNjM)

216

If teeny-tiny culturally homogenous Vermont cannot pull this off....

Single payer is dead.

Posted by: Mikey NTH - Buy Four Outrages, get a Rightous Indignation Free! at March 17, 2014 11:24 AM (hLRSq)

217 77 As I noted before, Vermont is the only state where I have been driving down a 4 lane highway, had it turn into a two lane road, and then a couple of miles later become a gravel track for a couple of miles and then reverse. . . .
*
*
Sounds like Loozyana. Except here, the 4-lane would have been the finest of medieval-tech building, and it would never have come back from the gravel. And everybody would spring a woody at the words "Crawfish Boil"!

(I never could understand the local fascination with those mud bugs. They look like somebody crossed a lobster with a cockroach. And sitting outdoors, in heat that would stun a Cape buffalo, while getting your hands covered in crawfish guts? Pleeze. It's like doing an oil change while you're eating. I suspect it's nothing more than a socially-sanctioned chance for grownups to play with their food.)

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius at March 17, 2014 11:25 AM (BDU/a)

218 Thanks to the federal government mucking up the healthcare market the price we spend on medical care per year in this country is now over $10,000 per person. Take away the children under 18 and the elderly over 75 and you can guesstimate that we would need at least $12,500 from everyone else. Even with erasing the current Medicare withholding, imagine swapping that tax number into the mix. That would be for everybody between 18 and 75.
We're running trillion dollar deficits trying to pay the medical costs for 65 and up now. There's no way we could print enough to pay for single payer nor is there anyway to tax enough for it, yet the left lives in a fantasy world where it's possible.

Posted by: lowandslow at March 17, 2014 11:49 AM (IV4od)

219 "5 Folks who whine that they want single payer / everyone put on Medicare need to take a close look at what it currently costs their employer to insure them. That's how much taxes will have to go up, plus some to cover those not employed, plus more to cover the inevitable federl waste, fraud, corruption, graft, etc. Posted by: goy at March 17, 2014 02:08 PM (oGez1)" One of the problems in the not too distant past was that employers paid the entire tab for medical insurance. The auto companies and other large, unionized industries agreed to contracts that not only had them paying the entire tabs, but also the contracts were lush. No deductibles, no copays. Not only medical, but vision and dental too. People had no idea what anything cost because someone else is paying it. Single payer is exactly the same blinders on scam. That is why these idiots who favor single payer think Canada and the EU's health systems are so great, they truly believe there is no cost. Since they can trip on into the doc and simply wave a card, they think it MUST be so well cost controlled that there is no fraud, and everyone gets fabulous care, and the docs. hospitals are paid well enough and there is no "insurance" company making an evil profit that is immoral since it is off of "health care". You know, that fundamental right that's in the Constitution.

Posted by: Jen at March 17, 2014 12:35 PM (JqB3t)

220 Forgot to include with my last post regarding Medicare. Go out and ask most under 65 year olds what Medicare covers and if there are any premiums to pay. The vast majority will tell you no, there are no premiums. They have no idea that premiums come out of their current payroll deductions(For a program they may never be able to access). Even better, most ready to retire folks are clueless that they still have to pay Medicare premiums when they retire and are eligible for Medicare. They almost never know that the GOV. takes the premium out of the other program they paid into and are finally receiving , Social Security once they are not longer receiving a paycheck.

Posted by: Jen at March 17, 2014 12:41 PM (JqB3t)

221 Right-wing slanders and lies against our magnificent state.

I hope you enjoy whatever the Koch brothers pay you to spread your hate!

Posted by: Mary Cloggenstein from Brattleboro, Vermont at March 17, 2014 05:32 PM (SK5U6)

222

Vermont has the 2nd oldest population per capita in the U.S. WE ARE THE GEEZER STATE. Only Maine ranks ahead of us.

Jim Condom...I mean CONDON will be purged from the party and the watchdog will be liquidated. No one will stand in the way of the march of history. FORWARD!

Posted by: deepred at March 18, 2014 04:32 AM (RHYM4)

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