This is the one I have been waiting for - the "other shoe" hitting the floor after Obama's gaff in which he cited the support for Obamacare by AARP, when that organization promptly acted surprised and said "Who, us? No, we don't support that."
Now a deal has been struck...
[quote] Dishonesty, Intimidation, Hypocrisy and Medicare Advantage
by Newt Gingrich
The editorial writers at the New York Times thought they were getting the White House's back when they defended cuts to Medicare Advantage last week. In fact, they were validating the blatant dishonesty of administration and congressional officials pushing for the cuts. In their editorial last Sunday, the Times writers revealed in stunning fashion the lies that have been used to convince increasingly skeptical seniors that their Medicare Advantage benefits won't be sacrificed to pay for government-run health care.
In one breath, the Times claimed the effect of Medicare Advantage cuts will be "modest":
"Although Republican rhetoric has triggered fears that Medicare Advantage enrollees might lose their coverage entirely if private plans drop out of the system, the real effect of the bill would likely be modest on average."
Then, literally on the next line, the Times contradicts itself, and stumbles inadvertently on to the truth:
"The value of an enrollee's added benefits would shrink by more than half from current levels but would not disappear; they would still be worth about $500 a year in 2019 (emphasis added)."
Intimidation: Free Speech Rights of Insurance Companies Denied
Medicare Advantage was created to do what the Center for Health Transformation (CHT) has long fought for: To give all seniors more private choices of higher quality health care. It currently provides almost 11 million Americans coverage through private insurance plans. Recent data shows that these seniors have better health outcomes than those in traditional Medicare.
Current legislation in Washington will gut the program. H.R. 3200 in the House will cut Medicare Advantage by $172 billion. The bill sponsored by Sen. Max Baucus in the Senate will cut the popular program by $123 billion.
If you're just hearing about this now, here's the reason: When Humana (with whom we've worked with in the past at CHT) tried to inform its Medicare Advantage members that Democratic health care reform could lower their benefits, the government ordered them to cease and desist and opened an investigation of the company.
Sen. Jon Kyl (R-Ariz.) subsequently introduced legislation in the Senate Finance Committee to protect the 1st Amendment rights of private insurance companies to criticize health care reform proposals.
Democrats on the committee unanimously defeated the bill.
Hypocrisy: The AARP Sells Out Seniors
But while Humana was censored by the government from talking to its Medicare Advantage enrollees about proposed Democratic cuts, another Medicare Advantage provider - the AARP - has been left free to lobby its members.
Of course the Washington leadership of the AARP is working closely with Democrats on health care reform. Incredibly, the self-appointed voice of America's seniors supports "reforms" that will cut the benefits - if not the entire Medicare Advantage coverage - of millions of seniors.
How can this be? It's simple. The AARP is a liberal interest group like any other, and it cut a deal with the party in charge in Washington. In exchange for selling out the seniors it claims to represent, the AARP will get potentially millions in lucrative insurance contracts, and quite possibly something more.
Tell Your Friends We're Not Going to Take It Anymore
No plan that has to be advanced through dishonesty, intimidation and hypocrisy has the support of the American people.
But all that is required for these tactics to prevail in Washington is for good people to sit back and do nothing.
As debate in Congress continues, here's what you can do: Send this newsletter to a friend, a co-worker, or a relative who isn't yet aware of what Washington is doing.
Send this newsletter to your senators and representatives. Let them know that, despite the dishonesty, the intimidation and the hypocrisy, we know what they're doing.
And we're not going to take it anymore.
Your friend,
Newt Gingrich
[quote]
__________________
tripleblack
"You can never be free until you let yourself go."
I Hate GM, deal with it.
One shot, One Kill! Don't waste ammo, it's pricey!
2005 GT Screaming Yellow: SLP Loudmouths
Ibanez guitars, S&W revolvers, Glock Semi's
Republican write in Presidential Candidate 2012
Seriously, what did Republicans do to improve access to health care when he was Speaker? What are his ideas today? Does he have any?
LOL, do you actually have anything to say that is on topic? Or is it just your intention to kill the messenger?
Note that the article cited is from the NYT, and the facts represented from the various pieces of legislation are a matter of public record.
Either the references are right, or wrong, and please supply your own referenced links to the correct information, if the facts as stated are in error.
__________________
tripleblack
"You can never be free until you let yourself go."
Seriously, what did Republicans do to improve access to health care when he was Speaker? What are his ideas today? Does he have any?
First and foremost, they shut down Hillary Care.
That helped stop the rampant invasion of Socialism the first time they tried with this approach.
Also, I do believe that Medicare was reformed a bit during the time Newt was speaker.
__________________
I Hate GM, deal with it.
One shot, One Kill! Don't waste ammo, it's pricey!
2005 GT Screaming Yellow: SLP Loudmouths
Ibanez guitars, S&W revolvers, Glock Semi's
Republican write in Presidential Candidate 2012
I'm just curious, howcome health care reform was never a big issue on anyone's agenda until the past election season? Now people keep asking the same assinine question of 'what did the GOP do about it?' Well, I'll ask the assinine question of 'what did the DNC do about terrorism while Clinton was President?'
It's the same-same political game with the future generations of Americans. Neither major party has ANY interest overall in how well you, I or our children fare as long as they keep their power. Let's get off the GOP v DNC battle and get on with dealing with what NEEDS to be dealt with. Something like I dunno, maybe cutting back on spending and getting the Socialist tendencies of our government under control. I kinda like the Constitution and wish we'd get back to abiding by it.
__________________
Sometimes I think that government fits that old-fashioned definition of a baby: An alimentary canal with an appetite at one end and no sense of responsibility at the other.
- Ronald Reagan
LOL, do you actually have anything to say that is on topic? Or is it just your intention to kill the messenger?
Note that the article cited is from the NYT, and the facts represented from the various pieces of legislation are a matter of public record.
Either the references are right, or wrong, and please supply your own referenced links to the correct information, if the facts as stated are in error.
Well, I didn't mean to "kill" YOU, if that's what you are implying (and I hope you are not. If you took my comments as a personal attack I apologize ).
I don't have the time or inclination to research the putative "facts" in the letter, so let's just assume they are 100% accurate. I say, so what? I am more concerned about the motivation for this letter, which is to get seniors into an uproar in an effort to quash any sort of health care reform. This is a politically motivated document whose real purpose is to block any effort to improve the lives of millions of people without offering up any sort of alternative. Gingrich is much more interested in blocking reform, solely because the effort is being led by a Democratic president, than in actually helping seniors or anyone else.
Personally, I don't have a stake in any particular reform proposal. I have decent insurance through my employer. I am sure that they are all going to end up costing me something at the end of the day, probably in higher taxes. However there are some 46 million people who do not have health insurance and therefore do not have access to decent health care - in the greatest country in the world. That is what I call a travesty. So yes, I am willing to make some financial sacrifice. Who says seniors shouldn't as well? They've already got a great deal through Medicare - much better than most private insurance. That's the problem with this country today - everyone looks out for Number 1. Thanks, Newt, for encouraging that!
__________________
2008 Vapor GT Premium Convertible
5 spd, IUP, 18" wheels, 14" shorty antenna, some interior dress up mods. Still contemplating CAI, tune, mufflers.
I was referring to the age-old "kill the messenger when you don't like the message". In this case, the messenger is Newt Gingrich, and the message is based upon his excerpts from the NYT and the pending HealthCare bill.
Just running down Gingrich without addressing his information was what I was referring to.
The thread is specifically about the issue involving removing funding for the Medicare Advantage program and shifting it to another group, and specifically the role played by the AARP in the affair (an ironic corruption of their theoretical "cause", since it affects millions of their senior citizen members, of course).
Quote:
Originally Posted by Mpov
Well, I didn't mean to "kill" YOU, if that's what you are implying (and I hope you are not. If you took my comments as a personal attack I apologize ).
I don't have the time or inclination to research the putative "facts" in the letter, so let's just assume they are 100% accurate. I say, so what? I am more concerned about the motivation for this letter, which is to get seniors into an uproar in an effort to quash any sort of health care reform. This is a politically motivated document whose real purpose is to block any effort to improve the lives of millions of people without offering up any sort of alternative. Gingrich is much more interested in blocking reform, solely because the effort is being led by a Democratic president, than in actually helping seniors or anyone else.
Personally, I don't have a stake in any particular reform proposal. I have decent insurance through my employer. I am sure that they are all going to end up costing me something at the end of the day, probably in higher taxes. However there are some 46 million people who do not have health insurance and therefore do not have access to decent health care - in the greatest country in the world. That is what I call a travesty. So yes, I am willing to make some financial sacrifice. Who says seniors shouldn't as well? They've already got a great deal through Medicare - much better than most private insurance. That's the problem with this country today - everyone looks out for Number 1. Thanks, Newt, for encouraging that!
__________________
tripleblack
"You can never be free until you let yourself go."
I have run into a lot of the “I’m don’t have time to keep up with all the politics, so I can’t effectively argue against you but I know I like Obama!”
I’v got an idea, you feel sorry for all these people without health care. YOU PAY FOR IT.
I work with a guy that always is going out of state for his vacations. He drives a truck 10 years newer then me, and has the latest smart phone and the latest video game machine and all the nice high end electronics. But his kid don’t have health care, he says he can’t afford it.
Go ahead fell free to pay for it for him if you fell the need.
I pay for my kids health care. I have a job. I know my priorities.
Obama care won’t fix stupid.
__________________
So , let me get this straight…..your Honda has 1.6 liters, whereas my bottle of Mountain Dew has 2?
Change…..it’s what is left after taxes.
- Shaken....Not Stirred 2003 Mach I Auto Torch Red - Sold
-1988 Ford Mustang GT Convertible, 331 Trick Flow Stroker with a Tremec 3550....oh yea and a 1.6 liter V-TECH motor to work the convertible top.
- 1966 Inline 6……..the pile of parts car!
I have run into a lot of the “I’m don’t have time to keep up with all the politics, so I can’t effectively argue against you but I know I like Obama!”
I’v got an idea, you feel sorry for all these people without health care. YOU PAY FOR IT.
I work with a guy that always is going out of state for his vacations. He drives a truck 10 years newer then me, and has the latest smart phone and the latest video game machine and all the nice high end electronics. But his kid don’t have health care, he says he can’t afford it.
Go ahead fell free to pay for it for him if you fell the need.
I pay for my kids health care. I have a job. I know my priorities.
Obama care won’t fix stupid.
__________________
tripleblack
"You can never be free until you let yourself go."
I’v got an idea, you feel sorry for all these people without health care. YOU PAY FOR IT.
I work with a guy that always is going out of state for his vacations. He drives a truck 10 years newer then me, and has the latest smart phone and the latest video game machine and all the nice high end electronics. But his kid don’t have health care, he says he can’t afford it.
Go ahead fell free to pay for it for him if you fell the need.
I pay for my kids health care. I have a job. I know my priorities.
Obama care won’t fix stupid.
Guess what, you are already paying for it, in the form of higher insurance premiums and taxes. And while Obamacare won't fix stupid, it would at least require this guy to have insurance or else pay financial penalties.
Finally, you are free to have your own priorities. It's just a shame they are not more civic-minded. Just keep in mind that unless we do something, it is very likely that the amounts you pay for your kids' health care will just keep going up and up and up.
__________________
2008 Vapor GT Premium Convertible
5 spd, IUP, 18" wheels, 14" shorty antenna, some interior dress up mods. Still contemplating CAI, tune, mufflers.
Guess what, you are already paying for it, in the form of higher insurance premiums and taxes. And while Obamacare won't fix stupid, it would at least require this guy to have insurance or else pay financial penalties.
Finally, you are free to have your own priorities. It's just a shame they are not more civic-minded. Just keep in mind that unless we do something, it is very likely that the amounts you pay for your kids' health care will just keep going up and up and up.
You're right, we are paying for it now. Currently I pay $138.56 EVERY 2 WEEKS for insurance to cover me and my kids (wife has her own policy). My co-pay is high, my RX is high, my cap on lifetime allowance is relatively low and the list goes on and on.
Nothing I have read or heard from the Obidiot camp tells me my payments are going to go down. In fact, I work for a small business. under the new plan, the penalty is 8% if you don't provide insurance to your employees. Guess what, the company I work for, pays MORE than 8% to supply insurance. What do you think is going to happen to my benefits and coverage? MY boss would be crazy not to drop the plan and pay the penalty, forcing me and everyone else I work with, into the "public option". The new plan won't allow me to shop for my own plan outside the state I live in, so I am stuck. It's horsecrap.
I can't find the links right now, but I remember seeing several re-visions presented by some of the Republican members of Congress that got shot down with no rhyme or reason.
Now we have this happening.........
Congress’ Secret Plan to Pass Obamacare - CONFIRMED
Leaders in the House and Senate have a plan to pass President Barack Obama’s sweeping health care plan by Thanksgiving without any significant participation by the American public. CNS News has confirmed the details in our September 22nd titled “Passing a Shell of A Bill: Congress’ Secret Plan to Ram Through Health Care Reform.” Nicholas Ballasy reports “a senior aide to Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) told CNSNews.com that it is ‘likely’ that Reid will use H.R. 1586—a bill passed by the House in March to impose a 90-percent tax on bonuses paid to employees of certain bailed-out financial institutions—as a ‘shell’ for enacting the final version of the Senate’s health care bill, which Reid is responsible for crafting.”
This story confirms the four part scenario that would railroad the bill through the Senate using a very unusual closed door procedure to craft the bill with no input from the American people.
The four stage plan to pass Obamacare has been publicly confirmed and is ready to be implemented. The following is a comprehensive update:
Step One: “The Senate Finance Committee will finish work on the marking up of Senator Max Baucus’ (D-MT) conceptual framework for legislation by this Friday.” Progress on this had been stalled and the bill was not passed by the end of last week. Foxnews.com is reporting that the Congressional Budget Office score of the bill will be released later today and a high score may further stall progress on the Committee’s Vapor Bill. Senate Finance Committee’s progress on passing something out of committee – INCOMPLETE.
Step Two: Next, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid will take the final product of the Senate Finance Committee and merge it with the product of the Senate Health, Education, Labor & Pensions (HELP) Committee. CNSnews.com has confirmed that “the actual final text of the legislation will be determined by Reid himself, who will consolidate the legislation approved by the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee and the still-unapproved legislation from the Senate Finance Committee. Reid will be able to draft and insert textual language that was not expressly approved by either committee.” Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid will write the final version of Obamacare to be considered in the Senate with no input from the American people. This is an extremely complex procedure that will not be done in public, or in the form of a hearing, or a public conference committee, and only Senator Harry Reid, some other Senators chosen by Reid and Obama Administration officials will be allowed to read the bill before the Senate debate starts. Merger of the bills – IN PROGRESS.
Step Three: Senator Reid will then move to proceed to H.R. 1586, a bill to impose a tax on bonuses received by certain TARP recipients. A senior aid to Senate Majority Leader Ried has confirmed that he will move to proceed to Senate Calendar Number 36, H.R. 1586, or another House passed tax measure, so the Senate can avoid the Constitutional mandate that tax bills originate in the House. Proceed to tax shell of a bill – CONFIRMED.
Step Four: This scenario would most likely be implemented after the Massachusetts state legislature gives Governor Deval Patrick the power to appoint a new Senator and that Senator is seated by the Senate. The Senate swore in new Massachusetts Senator Paul Kirk on September 25th. Change Law of Massachusetts to allow for interim Senator – COMPLETE.
The final step in this plan is for the House to take up Obama care, without amending the legislation, and then sending that bill directly to the President for his signature. Matt Cover at CNSnews.com reports “House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-Md.) won’t rule out having the House vote on the Senate health-care bill without making any changes in it, which would allow the bill to go directly to President Barack Obama without having to pass through a House-Senate conference committee and another round of votes in the House and Senate–and a longer period of public scrutiny of what the text of the proposed law actually says.” This scenario is in the process of being implemented and, if successful, it will result in Obamacare being on the President’s desk in time for Thansgiving with minimal participation of the American public.
The San Francisco Examiner published an editorial today that exposed the fact that the American people can’t see the bill. “When then-Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama promised not to sign major legislation until it had been posted on the Internet for public reading at least five days, trusting voters took him at his word. Now they know better. Not only is the actual language of what is likely to become the main legislative vehicle for Obama’s signature health care reform not available on the Internet, it hasn’t been given to members of the key Senate committees or the Congressional Budget Office.” The procedure being used, in addition to the exclusion of the American people from the process, should be of grave concern to all who want to participate in democracy and have a say in Congress’ health care reforms that will touch 1/6th of the American economy.
Go with PI heads and quit watching The Fast and the Furious. (thanks 2 IhaveadopeGT)
Remember, it is almost impossible for anyone, myself included, to diagnose a problem over the internet without seeing the car. My advice is simply that, advice based on years of experience. I don't want you or anyone taking my word as gospel. I am trying to give some direction as to what I think may be happening.
I am civic-minded, the difference is I still wish to choose what I support and don’t want my money to go to someone who is to lazy to work, or who thinks video games are more important then their kids.
And my kid’s health insurance will continue to go up. They will go up because health care is NOT a free market.
Health care is a STUNNING example of government regulation. Open it up so I can get coverage across state lines and see what happens!
And Osama campaigned he would have public hearing with the drug companies and negotiate so we didn’t pay 3 time the amount Canada pays. Opps I guess a close door meeting that keeps the drug companies shoving it up the little guys bum is socialisms version of a public hearing……
__________________
So , let me get this straight…..your Honda has 1.6 liters, whereas my bottle of Mountain Dew has 2?
Change…..it’s what is left after taxes.
- Shaken....Not Stirred 2003 Mach I Auto Torch Red - Sold
-1988 Ford Mustang GT Convertible, 331 Trick Flow Stroker with a Tremec 3550....oh yea and a 1.6 liter V-TECH motor to work the convertible top.
- 1966 Inline 6……..the pile of parts car!
Obama has to win on this. His political life depends on it.
Short term, he can't lose.
Its just a question of HOW the Democrats want to win.
If they get too greedy, WILL they endanger the fates of many of their number in the next 2 or 3 elections? Yes.
They have an odd problem, which is why the Public Option is so much in the news.
Reid is in grave danger of losing his seat, and he is up in 2010. Pelossi is also up in 2010, naturally, but would have to be assassinated to lose. Obama is NOT up in 2010, but is very much aware of how this bill could haunt him in 2012.
Strategically, I agree with him. He does not want the Public Option in...
Yet.
We will see WHAT comes out of the whole mess, but there is really no question that the Democrats will lose. They simply have too many votes to overcome. Elections do, indeed, have consequences...
But so do drastic changes to people's lives caused by a foolhardy herd of politicians.
Oh, and by the way, anyone yelling at Obama at that place and time that he was lying - and must have known he was lying - need only study the case law regarding denying public services to illegal aliens. You cannot do this and make it through a Supreme Court challenge. Texas tried to block the children of illegals from attending public school, and got their heads handed to them by SCOTUS. Same thing with California, and there are other examples. The precedent is clear: Once the government starts handing out these goodies, EVERYONE in the country (legal or illegal) gets them.
And President Obama, professor of Constitutional Law, Harvard Law graduate, MUST know that. Its not complicated.
So yes, he was lying just then, and big time.
Or else its another entry for my ongoing project, "Obamalish, the phresh, kool alternative to stale, old-fashioned English".
__________________
tripleblack
"You can never be free until you let yourself go."
AARP Sells Out Seniors 
). 
(thanks 2 IhaveadopeGT)
