I can't believe Bush is actually going to propose a new tax on the middle class.

[smoogatz]

It's one of the three dumbest moves he could make (invading Iran is number one, escalating the war in Iraq is number two--oops!). You think his poll numbers are bad now? Just wait till people figure out that he actually wants to tax their health-insurance benefit. Holy crap! I mean, seriously--are his advisors actively trying to destroy him?

[bedpanartist]

1. no, they are trying to pillage as much as they can

before the party is over.

[smoogatz]

8. Yeah, but he knows this thing is dead before he even rolls it out.

No way in hell does it get through congress; in fact, it just opens the door for Democrats to start talking about universal healthcare. It just seems kind of suicidal to propose something like this, knowing how universally hostile the reception is going to be (everywhere but Faux Nooz, anyway). Maybe he really is as out of touch as people say. Maybe the people who advise him really are afraid to tell him how seriously endangered his Presidency is by his low poll numbers. If I was Bush (God forbid), I'd be considering the political efficacy of walking down Pennsylvania Ave handing out hundred-dollar bills about now.

[aquart]

2. It's just all for laughs now.

I mean, aside from the death and dismemberment, George mostly makes me giggle these days.

[wishlist]

3. He is going to emphasize the tax deduction part of his scheme n/t

[smoogatz]

11. True--but anyone can see that a new tax plus a new deduction is a wash at best

Plus, in order to take the new deduction you have to make enough money to itemize, AND you have to go shopping for new health insurance (a giant pain in the ass), AND you have to foot the entire bill yourself, when before you were getting part of it for free. Who would actually want to deal with that?

[TZ]

4. oh he thinks we are all too dumb..

to see through his bullshit. Many people haven't sad to say after 6 yrs of his crap. And it won't be phrased as a tax. I already heard this referred to as a "tax cut". He is probably going to sell this as both making health care cheaper while cutting taxes at the same time...:argh:

[smoogatz]

13. He'll try.

But nobody trusts him anymore except the seriously brain-damaged wingnut base. I don't know the details, but this turkey seems like an obvious sop to the insurance companies to me. Individuals will have nowhere near the buying power that employers do when dealing with insurance companies, so everyone's rates will skyrocket. It seems obvious.

[Skidmore]

5. Like he'd ever make any move to take money from his "base."

He's only ever whipped on the poor and middle class. Tax breaks are for the wealthy.

[Nite Owl]

6. It's like he has some sort of

impeachment wish. Deep down he really doesn't like this job and is doing his best to get out. It may be a long two years ahead for us but it's going to seem endless for this WH. With the Cheney stuff coming out today, the GOP in full revolt, this has got to be their nightmare unfolding.

[Contrary1]

7. You're kidding, right?

Who else would he ever consider raising taxes on?

[Zavulon]

9. Didn't you hear? This is "revenue neutral."

The Bushies said so, so it must be true.

[smoogatz]

12. For who?

The government? Yeah, right--most people will have no choice but to continue with their employer-provided insurance, because they don't make enough to itemize. Right?

[Zavulon]

24. Correct. That's the genius of the idea.

:sarcasm:

[samplegirl]

10. Another great idea

especially for all those who push a time-clock!

[TZ]

14. and what is this "gold plated overpriced health insurance"

That I heard him refer to anyway? The best policies I have had are the ones that usually had straight out copays and small deductibles. I am of course white collar so get access to decent care usually but it straight out sounds like his plan will make it unaffordable for anyone to get a decent policy.

[smoogatz]

15. Right.

They want to shift eveyone to "catastrophic care" plans that won't cover anything like preventive care or routine checkups, or exotic testing or "experimental" procedures like the RF ablation I had three years ago (fully covered by our excellent insurance, thank you very much). The idea is to cut costs by denying people decent care.

[TZ]

17. Thank god I have a great doc..

for a pre-existing condition. With a temp job I have really screwy insurance (I decided to just COBRA my old policy for a while) so he said that while my insurance is in transition, he won't charge me for my visits, he will just "write them off" -this is a hematologist, my bloodwork is not cheap but it is very necessary for me...Thats whats wrong with * no concept of how different needs are with insurance, his policy seems like its one size fits all...

[LSparkle]

19. Not to mention DISCOURAGING employers from providing coverage

at all. I swear, their wet dream is EVERYBODY being an "independent contractor" without any corporate responsibility, just survival of the "fittest" in a dog-eat-dog, no loyalty working world. And this comes from a guy who never worked an honest day in his life ... Makes me sick.

[smoogatz]

22. Yep.

Nail on head.

[earth mom]

16. Imagine how the freepers are gonna react to this!

Their beloved leader is going to bite them in the a$$ too!

[w8liftinglady]

18. Lou Dobbs will have a ball with this!Even Dana Perino can't defend it

[FormerDittoHead]

20. Don't overlook: raising taxes on EARNED income. Not interest, dividends, cap gains, etc. n/t

[The_Casual_Observer]

21. Believe it.

At the root of this thing is a plan to have every working person pay for his own insurance directly, eliminating the employer from the picture.

[TZ]

23. Absolutely

Thats exactly what the idea is. How many of us could afford that? Just * and his $#%$%# friends...:mad: :grr: :argh:

[AX10]

25. That's the plan. Make everyone pay for their own insurance.

Unfortunate for Il Duce, the Democratic congress will never allow this into a committee.

[babylonsister]

26. We know he can't talk about Iraq, so this is their 'exit' strategery?

I think this in itself will make us 'masses' furious beyond belief. Who the hell is counseling this guy?

[Rosemary2205]

27. Even Hannity is having a cow.

you know it's bad when he loses Hannity.

[smoogatz]

28. You're very brave to watch that moron.

Thanks for the wingnut report, though.

[npincus]

29. health insurance = income (taxable)

DROP DEAD.