MTP pointed out that originally Obama said HCR would be funded by repealing Bush tax cuts for rich

[Phoebe Loosinhouse]

I don't think they repealed those, but they are set to expire soon, correct? So why wasn't that money allocated towards HRC? Are they planning on renewing them?

Question - will the employer's portion of your premium now be taxed as income? I have heard that but don't know if that is true.

I did read that "cadillac plans" will be taxed at 40%(!!!!!!) for premium dollars above 8K for an individual and 25K for a family. Don't thnk union members will be too happy about that. Many forbore actual wage increase for years in exchange for great benefits.

[Cant trust em]

1. I believe that there's a different tax increase for HCR

I'm pretty sure that I read the $500K+ earners would have a .9% tax increase.

[kentuck]

2. If they extend the Bush taxcuts...

that will create more jobs and rejuvenate the economy. Right? :sarcasm:

[Cassandra]

3. I hope that doesn't include individual plans...

bought by the self-employed as mine is going to over $14K a year for a basic HMO.

[HughMoran]

4. They expire in 2010

Good to help reduce the huge deficit that Bush accumulated.

[C_Lawyer09]

5. He also said that HCR would be paid for by eliminating inefficiencies

Within the current system. That irritated me, because for the knowledge I have at this point (maybe I'm wrong) I didn't hear anything quantifiable. One thing I find very nebulous about the current HCR bill is that after three years, cost will be transferred to the states. My opinion is that this portends extreme unintended consequences for state education, law enforcement, and social programs. I'd be interested in hearing from anybody that is "in the know" regarding sweetheart deals contained within the bill for Nebraska and Vermont. I don't know if this is an actuality, but I heard it mentioned several times while watching C-Span last night.

[RC]

7. Unintended consequences for whom?

This sounds exactly like something intended by those wanting to finish the push of the United States into 3rd world status.

[C_Lawyer09]

8. As I stated, L.E. Ed. and various social programs

It's disingenuous bullshit. States can't deficit spend like the Federal Government. Ed. will take the biggest hit, because it accounts for the most spending in all state budgets.

[DLnyc]

6. Right thing to do, but will only happen if we make them do it.

Otherwise ain't gonna happen.

[C_Lawyer09]

10. States can't print money like the Federal Reserve

How do you make a state spend money they don't have? Or is your contention, fuck it, cut law enforcement and education as long as this shit bill gets paid for.

[DLnyc]

12. Not what I meant. I mean raising taxes on the wealthy is a good idea,

but Congress and Obama won't raise those taxes unless we make them.

There will be money for the things we need, it seems to me, when we return the top tax rate to what it was before Reagan and put back the estate tax.

Of course, it wouldn't hurt to chop the defense budget in half and give up our imperial ways also.

Anyway, I certainly didn't mean force the states to spend more money.

[C_Lawyer09]

13. Gotcha

Apologize for the misinterpretation. What you describe sounds viable.

[WT Fuheck]

9. two-two-two lies in one!

[jtrockville]

11. Is "Cadillac Plan" another Uniquely American term?

Like "pre-existing condition"?

How about we attach a 40% tax rate to "Cadillac Compensation of Middle-Men"?

[Romulox]

14. It's a brand new double speak term invented by David Axelrod et al.

The term "cadillac plan" has no meaning outside of insurance company shillery.

[jtrockville]

16. It has no meaning in any developed nation either. Only in the USA.

[meow2u3]

15. Obama can't do anything about lobbyists who infest Congress

What President Obama is up against is not what's illegal, but what's legal: the undue influence of lobbyists on Congress. He may be able to prevent lobbyists from running the White House, but can't legally prevent them from running Congress.

Lobbyists have more muscle in Congress than their respective constituents. The people may want reform which will make the rich pay their fair share, but in practice, it's not one person one vote, but one dollar, one vote.

Lobbyists act like enforcers for the mob, extorting legislation which favors their godfathers clients by threatening them with political death.

I think the only way we can get rid of paid corporate lobbyists is to enact a national referendum.

[RC]

17. We have to get person-hood removed from the cooperations before we can control the lobbyist,

That ain't gonna happen any time soon.