The President Intervenes So Members Of Congress And Their Staff Won't Have The Same Crappy Health Care The Rest Of Us Will
From the WSJ:
To adapt H.L. Mencken, nobody ever went broke underestimating the cynicism and self-dealing of the American political class. Witness their ad-libbed decision, at the 11th hour and on the basis of no legal authority, to create a special exemption for themselves from the ObamaCare health coverage that everybody else is mandated to buy.The Affordable Care Act requires Members of Congress and their staffs to participate in its insurance exchanges, in order to gain first-hand experience with what they're about to impose on their constituents. Harry Truman enrolled as the first Medicare beneficiary in 1965, and why shouldn't the Members live under the same laws they pass for the rest of the country?
That was the idea when Iowa Senator Chuck Grassley proposed the original good-enough-for-thee, good-enough-for-me amendment in 2009, and the Finance Committee unanimously adopted his rule.
...Harry Reid revised the Grassley amendment when he rammed through his infamous ObamaCare bill that no one had read for a vote on Christmas eve. But he neglected to include language about what would happen to the premium contributions that the government makes for its employees. Whether it was intentional or not, the fairest reading of the statute as written is that if Democrats thought somebody earning $174,000 didn't deserve an exchange subsidy, then this person doesn't get a subsidy merely because he happens to work in Congress.
But the statute means that about 11,000 Members and Congressional staff will lose the generous coverage they now have as part of the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program (FEHBP). Instead they will get the lower-quality, low-choice "Medicaid Plus" of the exchanges. The Members--annual salary: $174,000--and their better paid aides also wouldn't qualify for ObamaCare subsidies. That means they could be exposed to thousands of dollars a year in out-of-pocket insurance costs.
Now The White House is stepping in, and leaks have it, Congress will receive extra payments -- subsidies amounting to about $4,900 for individuals and $10K for families...which effectively amounts to a big ole raise while so many in this country are struggling and the deficit is surging.
This country is looking more and more like a Communist one every day. Yes, everybody equal -- and as George O. put it, "some ... more equal than others."
As the WSJ piece put it, "The real class divide in President Obama's America is between the political class and everyone else."








Anyone really all that surprised by this? Really?
Goose and gander has never applied here.
Sabrina at August 5, 2013 5:24 AM
The government is broke, they are just printing money for the sake of keeping power. Something like 80% of new jobs are part time.
Stinky the Clown at August 5, 2013 8:04 AM
And people wonder why Republicans in Congress won't compromise and negotiate with the president.
What would be the point when every law will be re written by the administration to modify or eliminate anything they don't like?
Isab at August 5, 2013 9:16 AM
Who will step forward and lead us out of this mess? I will fart in your direction if you say Hillary.
Dave B at August 5, 2013 3:42 PM
"And people wonder why Republicans in Congress won't compromise and negotiate with the president."
Nobody wonders that. Republicans are the same greedy powermongers as the Democrats, but with different colored neckties.
Gog_Magog_Carpet_Reclaimers at August 5, 2013 3:45 PM
"And people wonder why Republicans in Congress won't compromise and negotiate with the president."
Nobody wonders that. Republicans are the same greedy powermongers as the Democrats, but with different colored neckties.
Posted by: Gog_Magog_Carpet_Reclaimers at August 5, 2013 3:45 PM
Yes, the democratic power brokers count on a certain percentage of independent voters believing that.
Because, if politicians are all the same, might as well go with the party that defends your civil liberties. (As they execute drone attacks and surveilance on American citizens) And sic the IRS on individuals and groups they don't like.
But, they would never do that to YOU? Right? You are a "right thinking American". Who understands that the Democratic party has your best interests at heart.
Isab at August 5, 2013 4:02 PM
I was watching some of the political shows this weekend. It seemed that most of the pundits were saying that the the Tea Party pressure was wrong, and congress should go on as it is.
It's like the media and D.C. long timers don't realize how much of this country is against them, and they can go on as usual.
Jim P. at August 5, 2013 7:45 PM
Uh...it's always been like that. You're just noticing now???
karin at August 6, 2013 5:51 AM
No, I'm just noting that the Republicans are now being reassured by the Democrats about the republicans.
Jim P. at August 6, 2013 8:25 PM
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