E-mail updates
Follow on Twitter
Subscribe to RSSBoth parties licking their political chops over today’s Blunt amendment vote… But the issue became a headache for Romney… Team Romney springs into action to repair the damage, but has Romney ever followed a win with a good news day?... Wednesday turned out to be a good day for Santorum… Romney picks up straw-poll win in Wyoming… Obama heads to New Hampshire… And Senate Democrats get more good news with Kerrey’s Senate announcement.
J. Scott Applewhite / AP
Sen. Roy Blunt, R-Mo., talks to reporters following a Republicans strategy session at the Capitol in Washington.
*** Both parties licking their chops over Blunt amendment: At 11:00 am ET, per NBC’s Libby Leist, the U.S. Senate will vote on Blunt amendment, which would allow employers -- if they have personal religious objections -- to not provide contraception coverage under the federal health-care law (Update: The Senate has defeated the amendment 51-48). This is one of those rare situations where BOTH parties are licking their political chops and are excited about creating a wedge issue. Democrats are eager to bring this legislation to the floor because they see it as infringing on women’s rights. And for that reason, Democrats believe today’s vote could hurt incumbent GOP senators up for re-election, like Scott Brown and Dean Heller. On the other hand, Republicans are eager to vote for this amendment because they see it as protecting religious liberty. And so they think the measure puts incumbent Democrats, such as Claire McCaskill, Sherrod Brown and Bob Casey, in a bind. And all of this is taking place over something that is hardly the top issue to American voters. It’s really Washington at its cynically worst.
*** But the issue became a headache for Romney: Speaking of this Blunt amendment, it became a major headache for Mitt Romney yesterday. Asked by an Ohio political reporter if he supported the amendment, Romney replied, "I'm not for the bill. But, look, the idea of presidential candidates getting into questions about contraception within a relationship between a man and a woman, husband and wife, I'm not going there." Not only did that answer contradict his attacks on the Obama administration’s initial contraception ruling and its later compromise, it also gave Rick Santorum a HUGE political opening. And the Romney campaign quickly scrambled to correct the problem. First, the campaign issued a statement saying the former Massachusetts governor was confused by the question and certainly supports the measure. But that clearly wasn’t going to be enough, so Romney called an old conservative radio host to set the record straight himself. “I didn’t understand his question. Of course I support the Blunt amendment. I thought he was talking about some state law that prevented people from getting contraception.”
*** Has Romney ever followed a win with a good news day? An immediate question: Does something called Blunt-Rubio scream state law to anyone? And here’s another: Has Romney ever followed a win with a good news day? After all, it was in the lead-up to his decisive victory in New Hampshire when he uttered the words, “I like being able to fire people,” as well as his “pink slip” comment. Then, immediately after he won Florida, he said this on CNN: “I’m not concerned about the very poor.” And then yesterday after winning Michigan and Arizona, Romney got tripped up on the Blunt legislation. The good news for Romney: His campaign moved with light speed to repair the damage, and it has the potential to be a one-day story. What’s more, we do get who tired these candidates can get on the trail. On the other hand, given some of the conservative reaction to Romney’s initial statement on the amendment, it’s also pretty clear that Romney has very little margin of error with the right. This is something to watch if Romney becomes the GOP nominee and begins to move to the center. Will conservatives cut him any slack? Folks, you have no idea how jammed our inboxes were from conservative activists who were angry about the initial interview in Ohio. They moved so fast; they had already pronounced him guilty until he could prove himself innocent of this conservative mistake.
*** Wednesday was a good day for Santorum: Although he lost the popular vote in Michigan, Wednesday turned out to be a pretty good day for Santorum. For starters, he got to capitalize on Romney’s comment on the Blunt amendment. "As governor, Mitt Romney has a clear record of taking away the freedom of religion. We all know Romney's liberal record on this, so when he's asked a question about a bill that would protect our religious freedom - and Romney's gut reaction is to say he'd oppose it - we shouldn't be the least bit surprised," the Santorum campaign said in a statement last night. In addition, it turns out that Santorum tied Romney in winning delegates in Michigan, 15-15. So yesterday when Santorum painted Tuesday’s outcome in Michigan as a draw, he wasn’t wrong. Of course, Santorum needs to realize that if you live by the “it’s all about the delegates” mantra, you could die by it. Santorum is ineligible for nine of Ohio’s 63 delegates next Tuesday because he did NOT file delegate slates in three congressional districts. So he could win Ohio and lose the delegate battle to Romney. And then watch Romney’s campaign remind him: “It’s all about the delegates.”
*** Romney wins non-binding Wyoming straw poll: And yesterday, Wednesday was good for Romney in this respect: He won the non-binding straw poll of Wyoming. Per NBC’s John Bailey, the Wyoming Republican Party announced last night that Romney won the state’s non-binding precinct straw poll with 39%, followed by Santorum with 32%, Paul with 21%, and Gingrich with 8%. The non-binding poll was conducted at Wyoming precinct caucuses held over a stretch of weeks between Feb. 9 and Feb. 29. Bailey points out that the poll does not bind Wyoming’s delegates, but it is an indicator of how the state may vote in its upcoming county conventions (March 6 to March 10) and state convention (April 12 to April 14), where 26 of Wyoming’s 29 delegates will be bound. So be careful of media outlets attempting to allocate these delegates. And do note that only 2,108 Wyoming Republicans participated in the poll. We repeat, 2,108 folks.
*** On the trail, per NBC’s Adam Perez: Gingrich remains in Georgia, campaigning in Atlanta and Woodstock… Santorum hosts two events in the Peach State, rallying in Dalton and Atlanta then hitting Washington state, where he visits Spokane and Pasco… Paul remains in Washington state… And Romney stumps in North Dakota, Idaho, and Washington state.
*** Obama’s day: At 1:30 pm ET, President Obama will deliver remarks on energy in Nashua, NH. He then travels to New York City to attend four fundraisers. The RNC says this will bring his total fundraisers to 100 since he announced his re-election bid in April 2011.
*** Senate Dems get more good news with Kerrey’s announcement: In back-to-back days, Senate Democrats have received their best news in quite some time. First came the word that Sen. Olympia Snowe isn’t running for re-election, which gives Democrats a very good chance of keeping the Senate in 2012. And then second came the news that Bob Kerrey -- after initially saying that he wouldn’t run for Ben Nelson’s Nebraska Senate seat – changed his mind, giving Democrats an opportunity to hold on to this seat. But don’t surprised if Republicans seize on this recent interview: Kerrey admitted that Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid made promises to get him to run, but Kerrey declined to reveal the nature of those promises. “They were important to me, and I asked for them, and he’s agreed… I would only ask of things that would be beneficial to Nebraska.
Countdown to Super Tuesday: 5 days
Countdown to Election Day: 250 days
Click here to sign up for First Read emails.
Text FIRST to 622639, to sign up for First Read alerts to your mobile phone.
Check us out on Facebook and also on Twitter. Follow us @chucktodd, @mmurraypolitics, @DomenicoNBC, @brookebrower
Leave a Comment:
Oil and Gas Production and Prices
The Saudi’s increased oil production last week and the market reacted by increasing futures price – the opposite of what economics would expect. Why … because they [speculators] see this as a predicator that the July 1st hard date for the Iran sanctions that will remove 3.5 million barrels a day from the open market will become reality so they bought up more oil driving the price higher.
International Business Times Feb 24, 2012: Gasoline demand plummeted -- down 5.4%, or about 500,000 barrels per day, from a year ago, marking the 24th week in a row that year-on-year demand is lower.
http://www.ibtimes.com/articles/304040/20120224/rise-u-s-gasoline-prices-wall-street.htm
Production is up (6 year high) -- Demand is down (15 year low)
Both together should result in a price drop using basic supply/demand economics. The problem comes from the Middle East (uncertainty), refinery production (shut downs) and speculators.
The war on women rages on... shrouded behind religious freedom!
Who the hell do these bloated out white men think they are legislating OUR uterus's?
I see this battle has afforded Willard the opportunity to be for it before he was against it!
From the Last Word blog 2-29-12
Romney opposes Blunt, then supports it
By Sarah Muller
-
Mitt Romney at a campaign rally in Bexley, Ohio on Wednesday.
It's been another slip-up day for Willard M. Romney. First, he said today in an interview he's opposed to the Senate amendment which would allow employers to deny coverage for birth control.
"I'm not for the bill. But, look, the idea of presidential candidates getting into questions about contraception within a relationship between a man and a woman, husband and wife, I'm not going there," he told a Ohio news station, one day after beating the socially conservative Rick Santorum in the Arizona and Michigan primaries. It's on camera.
Romney's campaign quickly walked back his comments in a statement to TPM, saying "the way the question was asked was confusing," a spokesman told TPM. "Governor Romney supports the Blunt Bill because he believes in a conscience exemption in health care for religious institutions and people of faith."
Romney himself tried to clear up any confusion.
"I didn't understand his question. Of course, I support the Blunt amendment," Romney said later today in a radio interview with the Howie Carr Show. "I thought he was talking about some state law that prevented people from getting contraception...I thought it was some Ohio legislation where employers were prevented from providing contraceptives and so I talked about contraceptives and so forth so I really misunderstood the question."
The Blunt amendment, which would override President Obama's hotly debated contraception rule, gives employers the right to refuse to cover any medical issue that it finds objectionable for moral or religious reasons.
The Senate could vote on the amendment as early as tomorrow.
I would suggest that this would qualify as a big… OOOPS
This has only been the most discussed topic in the past few weeks, and he says he didn’t understand the question???? Are you kidding me? This guy who wants to be president he’s spent a fortune so far, is looking more like he cant walk and chew gum at the same time. Please voters, think and think some more before voting for this inept individual.
Welcome Back Carter
Looks like the 2008 statements that Barry Obama’s election would really be Jimmy Carter’s second term are coming true. Certainly Jimmy Carter’s “economic malaise” of the late 1970’s can be very easily applied to the current pathetically anemic slow-bama “recovery”. Perhaps the easiest tie in to this being Jimmy Carter’s second term is the situation with rising gas prices: As the article below states “On substance, though, the two presidents’ approaches bear many similarities”.
I have to wonder if Barry has any cardigan sweaters in the back of his closet??
From Politico:
Obama's Carter trap
By: Bob King and Darren Goode
March 1, 2012 04:04 AM EST
Not since the era of roller disco, Ford Pintos and “Welcome Back, Kotter” has a Democratic president faced the political fallout of soaring gasoline prices.
On the surface, at least, President Barack Obama seems to be doing all he can to avoid following the cardigan-clad example of Jimmy Carter.
Obama hasn’t gone on television with a Mr. Rogers sweater, telling everyone to turn down their thermostats in winter. But he has gone on the populist attack — denouncing oil industry tax breaks and lampooning Republicans’ “bumper sticker” solutions while raising their ire by borrowing their “all of the above” energy mantra.
On substance, though, the two presidents’ approaches bear many similarities: Both embrace conservation — including, in Obama’s case, a drive for energy-efficient buildings and higher vehicle fuel efficiency standards. Both talk up wind and solar power. And both lean heavily on the Energy Department — an agency Carter created and on which Obama has relied to promote the green technologies that he says will bring future jobs and prosperity.
Obama also isn’t promising to lower gasoline prices anytime soon, unlike GOP rivals such as Newt Gingrich, who is renewing the “drill, baby, drill” mantra and promising the return of $2-a-gallon gas. But energy prices are tough for any Democrat to counter because people are looking for someone to blame.
Racist Fed Judge... nuff said. Fed Judge Richard Cebull.
"Normally I don't send or forward a lot of these, but even by my standards, it was a bit touching. I want all of my friends to feel what I felt when I read this," said the email containing the offensive joke.
"It was not intended by me in any way to become public," Cebull said. "I apologize to anybody who is offended by it, and I can obviously understand why people would be offended."
"The only reason I can explain it to you is I am not a fan of our president, but this goes beyond not being a fan," he added. "I didn't send it as racist, although that's what it is. I sent it out because it's anti-Obama."
Recall all his cases against black people and remove from the bench.
Speaking of Recall, let's recall all the other racism dressed in anti-policy shall we...
The Blunt Amendment. So typically Republican, the "get the Federal government off our backs" crowd.
Take the blinders off folks, because what the Republicans REALLY mean to do is to give Corporate America complete control over your most intimate decisions.
Your boss gets to decide if he has a "moral objection" to insurance coverage. Clever way to gut HCR, don't you think?
All of you with young children should worry. What if your employer believes in praying for a cure? You are pretty much screwed.
Rolling the Dice
OK boys and girls, gather 'round. Since there's so many left wing Einsteins who post around here, as a public service today I'm going to do a simple thought experiment to exercise their (alleged) brains.
Suppose at the beginning of the year I decide to rebalance my 401K so I divide my dollars among a bunch of mutual funds that are designed to track a benchmark index from various markets. Maybe I pick one fund that's supposed to track the S&P 500, another fund that tracks a bond index, another a foreign market index and so on. Then at the end of the year I look at my 401K and discover to my delight that it had gained 10% over the year. Yeah baby I should be a happy camper, right?
Well, not so fast. Suppose we peel the onion back a layer and analyze how my funds performed in relation to the index they were supposed to track. And when we do that suppose we find my S&P 500 fund lagged the index by a point or so, the bond fund lagged its index as well and all my other funds underperformed too. And when I tally everything up I find that if my funds had tracked their index more closely, I would have realized a gain of around 15% instead of the 10% I actually gained. Hmmm, suddenly I'm not so happy anymore and I'm thinking about dumping these dogs and moving into different funds. Because in effect, what I have experienced is an opportunity cost associated with picking poorly performing funds, a cost that can be measured by the 5% gain I left on the table and will never see again.
This exact same analysis can be applied to the situation we are in today with regard to our anemic economic recovery. The Obama apologists will cite improving economic statistics such as a declining unemployment rate or positive GDP growth to make the case their man is doing a helluva job – analogous to 10% portfolio growth in my thought experiment. But many on the right will point out that by historical standards, at this stage of the recovery we should be doing MUCH better – analogous to my forgone 15% portfolio growth. Furthermore, the opportunity cost we are incurring by virtue of sub-par economic growth is very real and manifests itself in the form of a lost generation whose job skills and individual dignity are eroding as the "recovery" drags on.
Of course when we try to explain this to a leftist they just roll their eyes – hence the previous reference to "alleged" brains. But once they've regained their composure they go into high dudgeon and regale us with the standard argument that Obama inherited such a deep hole that it will take time to claw our way out. Thus in their worldview Obama is doing as well as can be expected given the circumstances, and the circumstances dictate a slow and grinding recovery.
Unfortunately, the historical record of the performance of the American economy coming out of a downturn does not support that view. The FACTS are the American experience has been the steeper the economic downturn, the stronger the rebound. For example, annualized real GDP growth in the 8 quarters coming out of the steep Reagan recession of 1981-82 were: 0.3%, 5.1%, 9.3%, 8.1%, 8.5%, 8.0%, 7.1% and 3.9% -- now that's boffo performance by any standard. By contrast annualized real GDP growth in the 8 quarters coming out of the recent recession were: 1.7%, 3.8%, 3.9%, 3.8%, 2.5%, 2.3%, 0.4% and 1.3%. Good grief, if this were a boxing match the ref would stop the fight.
When presented with this comparison, a typical response from a typical leftist Einstein is that the Reagan recession was a "normal" recession and the Obama recession was much worse so the comparison is apples to oranges. Well, unemployment peaked at 10.8% in the Reagan recession and I'm not sure how "normal" that is. But fine I'll play along, let's go back to the granddaddy of economic downturns -- the Great Depression -- and see how the recovery from that decidedly abnormal event compares with Obama's performance. The first 2 years of the recovery from the Depression registered annual real GDP growth of 10.9% and 8.9%. By contrast, the first two years of the recovery from our Great Recession saw real GDP growth of 4.2% and 3.9%. Ouch, another unfavorable comparision. And it gets worse because the third year of the recovery from the Depression came in at 13.1% -- anyone out there think we'll see that kind of growth in 2012?
Obama acolytes like to compare economic performance under his stewardship to where we were when Bush left office – that way they get to spin a superficially positive story, just like the 10% gain in my thought experiment. But that approach sweeps a multitude of sins under the rug, namely the fact that the Obama recovery has been HISTORICALLY BAD by comparison with recoveries from previous economic downturns -- including the Great Depression. What they refuse to acknowledge is the standard for success is not a comparison of where we are now to where we were before, but a comparison of where we are today to where we SHOULD BE at this stage of a recovery – akin to the 15% portfolio gain I should have realized. When viewed from that perspective we can truly grasp the HUGE opportunity cost we're paying due to the sub-par economic growth we've experienced under the Obama regime.
Here's the bottom line: Obama rolled the dice on the economy – and came up snake eyes. He gambled that a massive dose of Keynesian stimulus was just the prescription to cure what ails us, and he lost. Instead, his reckless spending has pushed the national debt to dangerous levels even while unemployment still remains persistently high and economic growth tepid. So just like any rational investor would be determined to dump those underperforming mutual funds in my thought experiment, so should any American with a brain be determined to dump the underperforming economic failure that is Obama.
But even with a new president, we the people will be living with the legacy of Obama's failures for a long time to come.
http://bea.gov/national/xls/gdpchg.xls
Bill, your posts get longer and longer, and yet they still offer nothing.
A couple more dead Americans reported in Afghanistan. What a shame. I wonder if their families think Obama “calmed” things down with his apology.
I’m sure for the Apologist in Chief it’s on to more pressing issues. I filled up my tank for $65 this morning with my own money. I wonder how much taxpayer money it take to gas up Airforce One for his campaign stump speech in New Hampshire today. Three trips there in the past few months. I wonder what so special up there in NH.
Romney calls MI a win? I don't think so. He and Santorum both win 15 Delegates. That's a win? Sounds like a tie to me. His own birth State and he can't beat crazy Santorum. So much for the Republican ticket.
Obama in 2012.
Good Morning NDD,
It won't stop at just contraception!
The Blount bill gives an employer total freedom to pick and chose what they do & don't want their insurance plan to cover.
Kind of like a buffet of prejudice!
Feisty Redhead Roselle, IL
The war on women rages on... shrouded behind religious freedom!
Who the hell do these bloated out white men think they are legislating OUR uterus's?
I see this battle has afforded Willard the opportunity to be for it before he was against it!
The other reason is these bast***ds want to repeal the Health Care Law.
They are a load of crap. All their crap belongs in the toliet
Joe is just looking for a chance to pounce and say I got you. There are no correct answers to a "suppose" or "what if" question. Maybe he's been listening to LImbaugh too much. And Rob, we haven't forgotten how you cheered whenever there was a battlefield death back in 06 and 07
This has to stop. Call out a hate-stirring liar, and he doesn't just double down on stupid, he goes all-in. If there were only one of these monstrous creatures, we could ignore it, and walk away. But there's not just one. There are millions of them and they are the cancer that has completely invaded the body of the Republican Party.
So a couple of veterans take offense at the vile remarks directed at them. We can take it. After all, we aren't facing weapons, not even sticks and stones, just the rabid rants of someone who has never served. But there's not just one.
But that's not enough. Former Senator Bob Kerrey announces he will run for the open Nebraska seat vacated by Senator Ben Nelson. The vile creature emerges from his filth to write that Senator Kerrey turned against his own country "during the Vietnam [sic] era."
Senator Kerrey lost his leg below the knee in combat in Viet Nam. He won the Congressional Medal of Honor for his heroism in that conflict. He was a Navy SEAL. Forget the stories about "baby killers" and protestors heaping verbal abuse on returning veterans. That pales in comparison to a charge of treason. Such is the contempt shown by this Republican "patriot". And there's not just one.
Another Viet Nam veteran, Brian Thomas Collins, known to all Californians as BT, lost his leg in combat. He served as Democratic Governor Jerry Brown's right-hand man, even though he was a rough-talking Republican. He was later asked by Republican Governor Pete Wilson to run for the State Assembly. He did and won, but not without being attacked by the right-wingers, and his opponent - a disgusting liar, but born-again Christian Republican named Barbara Alby - who called him the antichrist. When Collins died suddenly, Alby won the seat, elected by "Republicans" more than happy to overlook her scandalous past and remarks. There's not just one.
When Senator John Kerry ran for President, a group funded primarily by a right-wing Republican named Bob Perry trashed the Senator. This was the infamous Swift Boat group, later shown to be nothing more than lying tools. Tom DeLay - the Republican House Majority Leader at the time, and later convicted of money laundering - had his fingerprints all over the swiftboating. Senator Kerry was wounded in action in Viet Nam. He won the Silver Star, the Bronze Star, and three purple hearts. For this he was trashed by Republicans. There's not just one.
Max Cleland was elected to the Senate from Georgia. A Democrat, Senator Cleland was also a Viet Nam veteran. He lost both legs, and a forearm, winning the Silver Star, the Bronze star, and a purple heart. In his bid for re-election, he was attacked by Republican Saxby Chambliss as unpatriotic in a commercial that aired one week before the election. Cleland was defeated, many believe as a direct result of that commercial. That is the Republican "thank you for your service".
Tough talking Republicans - the George W. Bush's, the five-time draft dodging Dick Cheney, the slimy John Doolittle - somehow manage to avoid military obligations. Yet, they are only too happy to send others, and when they return? These Republican tough guys vote against veteran benefits. You can bet your bottom dollar, these are the folks who have that red, white, and blue magnet on their car that says they support our troops.
No, there's not just one of them. There's millions. Yes, millions. They call themselves patriots. Disregard their cheap words. Judge them by their actions. They are most assuredly not patriots. At best they are abject cowards, and at worst, they are the domestic enemies who are destroying this country even as they wrap themselves in the flag.
There's millions of them and they go by the name of Romney, of Gingrich, and Santorum and they have stolen the good name of the once-proud G.O.P.
My November vote will be to crush them.
I don't get how that is a win for Romney either. What counts is delegates won, and they both won an even amount. It is delegate count that picks the candidate, not how many people actually voted for each.
Therefore, it is a tie.
Feisty: exactly right, the Blunt Amendment gives total control to the boss. If he has a belief in prayer for a cure, that is exactly all he must cover. Think of a desperately ill child, and a parent that must pray instead of be able to access cutting edge technology? What if the employer is an anti vaccination nut? Destroys herd immunity and puts all at risk.
This is insane.
So just like any rational investor would be determined to dump those underperforming mutual funds in my thought experiment, so should any American with a brain be determined to dump the underperforming economic failure that is Obama.
________________________________
Nice try at explaining the facts to the lefty liberals. Futile, but a nice try anyways. Here's why it will never sink into the lefty liberal brain:
1. "Investing" is defined by the lefty liberal brain as "big govt spending programs and the more, the better"
2. As I posted below: "Lefty liberals are not very good with numbers, and would add 2+2 and get 22 every time and not have a clue as to how wrong they were."
Except to put you to sleep! ;o)
Steaming pile of crap wrapped up in a pretty yellow ribbon!
Last night’s primetime MSDNC Stooges delivered the laughs. Shemp Mathews on Wiffleball made a statement about the 15-15 Michigan primary delegate split between Romney and Santorum saying: “Gee, I wish we knew this last night.”
HUH?!?!?
I thought MSDNC was “The Place for Politics” and Shemp was supposed to be one of their less dim bulbs?? Of course, as I’ve said before, lefty liberals are not very good with numbers, and would add 2+2 and get 22 every time and not have a clue as to how wrong they were.
ANYONE who was paying the least bit of attention knew Michigan was awarding delegates proportionally. Since both Romney and Santorum got approximately the same proportion of votes, it’s just common sense that they would get a similar number of delegates. What a moron.
Next up was Da Rev. Al’s Comedy Hour. He had on major Dem blowhard Rep. Jim McDermott who was whining and complaining about how the Senate needs to get rid of the filibuster rule so legislation the House has passed doesn’t die in the Senate. Very conveniently, he left out the fact that it’s Harry Reid and the majority Dems fault it’s still in the Senate rules. They could have eliminated it when the rules for this session of Congress were adopted in early January 2011, and they chose not to do so. I believe he did that knowing the 99% of Da Rev’s viewers are very low information voters and would immediately blame the Republican’s. Either that, or he’s too stupid to know it himself. Regardless, both possibilities are funny!!!!
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Rob in Ma- Yeah. What the hell happened? I thought the whole world was supposed to love us now...If I had a dime for every lefty that whined and pissed a fit back in 2005-06 because Bush was "making the world mad at us", I'd be rich. Of course, that would be bad and I would have then been a 1%'er like Michael Moore.
"Have you taken a position on it?"
"The way the question was asked was confusing," campaign spokeswoman Andrea Saul said.
"I didn't understand his question."
"I simply misunderstood what he was talking about."
Ummm Mitt ... it was a yes/no question, not multiple choice.
Scary scenario ... after authorizing nuclear attack on Iran, Mitt turns to Joint Chiefs of Staff and says "Hey guys, I changed my mind."
Great post Bill. It is complicated, but is quite accurate. Some leftists see a lot of words, therefore they ignore it. Better they keep their comments to one liners, something their brethren have a possible chance to understand.
David great post. Well said.
Republicans seem to be great at beating the war drums and sending others children off to fight, meanwhile they themselves, have used deferments or send their kids overseas. The flag waving is only good as we whip up peoples emotions, but when they return, often with brutal injuries, they don't want to hear from them much less pay for their rehabilitation. It is almost as if they want to erase them from their world. Not any more as far as I am concerned.
No kidding NDD - the Senate Democrats need to be shouting this from the rooftop!
My daughter had a student once, who's parents refused medical treatment for a sinus infection.
Instead choosing to pray it away.
The little boy went blind because the pressure eventually blew out his optic nerves...
Talk about child abuse!
Sickening!
And the way this amendment is worded, if that person is your boss.....frightening.
It may be, but it's not the place for any kind of accuracy:
Headline: MSNBC Misspells ‘Tuition’ Twice While Discussing Education Problems
Source: http://www.hapblog.com/2012/02/msnbc-misspells-tuition-twice-while.html
"Lean forward" indeed. More like "Fall over".
I guess it's a matter of MSNBC getting the hate out fast, or getting the hate out accurately. We see what side won that contest.
The new unemployment claims reached another 4 year low
again today (351,000) as is the 4 week average.
Will the monthly jobs report a week from tomorrow (3/9) be
as good?
I believe they will be positive but much lower than last
month – probably less than 100,000.
newdayDAWNING...RETURNED
The Blunt Amendment. So typically Republican, the "get the Federal government off our backs" crowd.
Take the blinders off folks, because what the Republicans REALLY mean to do is to give Corporate America complete control over your most intimate decisions.
Isn't it ironic the RepubliCons want big government in women's uteri? We can fight back. We can call our Congress people.
THE WOMEN’S STRIKE FORCE PAC
Fighting Virginia’s legislative assault on women.
—————————————-
Do you share our outrage at the Virginia General Assembly’s legislative assault on women? Join our efforts to recruit and support candidates opposing any elected official who supported the “personhood” or mandatory ultrasound legislation in the 2012 Virginia General Assembly. Your donation will help defeat the members of the Virginia legislature who supported these dreadful bills.
We are Republicans, Democrats, and Independents joining together to fight for women.
Our bi-partisan group will work to support and elect candidates who will bring respect for women back to an arena of civil discourse and put a stop to the legislative attacks on women.
—————————————–
http://www.womensstrikeforce.org/
You mean like the way Obamacare is an incentive to drop coverage completely and pay a small fine?
But to take your logic further. It's not government interference to mandate that contraception is covered, but it is government interference to allow the party that is actually paying for the policy to chose what they want to cover?
I've an idea, why doesn't the federal government just mandate wages and benefits for everybody in the country?
Rob, #1- If someone burned your bible would you be angry? Would you think that there had been no respect shown toward your religious beliefs? #2- Do you really believe that the President of the most powerful country has absolutely nothing to do during the course of the day? #3- Get a car with a smaller tank that you can afford. We have some of the cheapest gas in the world and I hate to be the bearer of bad news but who do you think is supposed to pay for your gas...me? #4- Did you complain when Bush II or any other President used Airforce One...from the way you sound evidently not. When Reagan, Bush I or Bush II went & campaigned for 2nd terms (which meant they had to go to other states, they couldn't stay at the White House) did you have a problem with them using Airforce One...guess not.
Do you see my other point I used by numbering your statement's , your all over the map with your thought process but I can safely assume that you don't know that either do you?
Absolutely, Beverly, the Republicans have started a war with women, and they don't know how fast we can mobilize.
Just ask Susan B. Komen Foundation.
breaking news.........................Andrew Breitbart has died.
It’s really Washington at its cynically worst.
Worst Congress ever. No wonder Senator Snowe quit.
Bill -- Would've, could've, should've . Nostalgia has no place in the market. You should know better.
Gingerbread Mamma
Bill, your posts get longer and longer, and yet they still offer nothing.
I agree.
Don't forget the idiot in Albany; Joee never says anything of value. He thinks everything is funny when it clearly isn't.
What a shame...
His heart must of gave out from all the hate!
I'm sorry, but my heart just can't find an ounce of sorrow for someone who lived his life the way he did!
If contraception is to be free because it is preventative care does that mean we accept that pregnancy is a disease? Do women accept this premise?
Interested to see which senators vote for women's rights.
Gingerbread Mamma
Breaking news Andrew Breitbart has died
I don't rejoice in anyone's death. However, I think the world is a better place without him.
RIP, Andrew
On your way down here's hoping you see all the bad deeds you did.
The liberal entitlement crowd, they just want to have someone else pay for their stuff.
Here, try this Libs. You pay for your own house, your own cloths, your own entertainment, your own aspirin. You pay for your own coffee, your own cars, your own food, your own ice cream, your own abortions. And also, you pay for your own contraception.
For once, take on your own personal responsibility, and don't always be a victim.
Prenatal care IS preventative care, Alan. Outcomes for infants throughout their first year are greatly improved.
There goes poor JoAnna, again, spouting off about things she knows nothing about. Contraception is basic care for women. Nothing more, nothing less. If you start picking and choosing what meds will be covered, I would worry about a catastrophic illness where med coverage can be really expensive. You want to pay for that too?
Slippery slope, poor JoAnna. It's all fine until it is you that needs the med. We pay insurance premiums for a reason, no one is asking for a free lunch.
Ah, the Blunt Amendment. Another thinly veiled GOP ideology that will give corporate 'people' a carte- blanche out to deny insurance coverage to anyone for any reason.
And as for the thinly veiled disguise this is wrapped in, why would any woman vote Republican in the face of this outright assault on women. Aren't there any women's rights groups out there who will not only stand up to this but lead an all-out counterattack?
Democrat and Independent women should be at the polls in the upcoming GOP caucus states in-force to protest. There should be a women's rights march on the Capital - right now, make it happen! And let's get some interviews an investigative reports on Republican candidate and legislator wives to see where they truly stand or partake in this issue. Could be very interesting indeed.
Precisely Bev!
What did he contribute to this world to make it a better place?
NOTHING!
David "I need a" Walker-- Before the men with the straitjacket come to take you away, let me clarify. I am well aware that Bob Kerrey lost a leg fighting the filthy commies and that he recieved the Congressional Medal Of Honor. For you to imply that I was referring to him makes you a LIAR. You remember liars, right? You piss and moan about them all day. I was referring to Senator JOHN Kerry. Go back and look, David. John Kerry, rich 1%'er from The People's Republic Of Massachussetts. Came back from the war and hung out with commies, hippies, rioters, traitors and any other kind of anti-American filth there was then. I commend him for his act of heroism in Vietnam; shooting a VC teenager who was carrying a rocket launcher. Good for him. One less filthy commie. But why did he have to come home and act like a commie? And how did he think he could EVER be president with such a past?
Max Cleland. War hero also. Even though his limbs were blown off when he dropped his own grenade on the way to go party., he's still a hero for sacrificing so much. Especially when so many lefties ran off to Canada or were burning their draft cards. But fast forward to 2002. This is in the days following 9/11 and Cleland decides it's a good idea to hold up bills that would help protect this country just so he can make sure there are provisions in them for UNIONS. Was that really a good idea? Do we want that? "Hey!!! there's a plane headed straight for the White House....""" "Well don't tell me, I'm on my BREAK.""" Do we want that, David?
Nobody accused Cleland of being a traitor. Nobody denigrated his service or sacrifice. They just questioned his idiotic judgement.
If thats true about breitbart, I have two words. That's sad.
Bev and Feisty, you are disgusting, soul-less human beings.
From ABC commentator
ibillyup
9:42 AM EST
Mar 01, 2012
I bet he's lying about this too.
http://abcnews.go.com/US/andrew-breitbart-publisher-author-dead/story?id=15824337#.T0-n7_WibFI
http://abcnews.go.com/US/andrew-breitbart-publisher-author-dead/comments?type=story&id=15824337#.T0-qsvWibFI
I want to laugh but I know it's dis-respectful so I can say...We'll see!
I believe 99.9% of people that vote will NOT have contraception as a reason to vote for one or the other. I have my views but it won't effect voting for or against any of the candidates. There's just way too many more important issues on our plates on the national scene.
I agree with Dennis on the jobs report. The well over 200,000 January jobs will drop below 100,000 when the Feb numbers com out.
RIP Andrew Breitbart.
I know what you mean Bev. I felt the same way when Teddy "Abandon Cadillac" Kennedy died. The USA, for all the damage he did to it, was still standing and is a better place with him gone.
JAS1 -- Seeing as the ship is trying to lean hard to starboard it's time we right it with a sharp turn towards port. Those on the right are attempting to sink us out of stupidity.
Just -- Well said.
Who is arguing against prenatal care? I want to know why contraception specifically is considered preventive care and is therefore exempt from co-pays. I also want to know why the federal government decides what is in a benefits package offered by a private employer.
Romney translator (think of this as the daily magic rock in a hat): I didn't say what I just said. And if you have it on tape, I was confused. Now please tell me the conservative position so I can say that.
The tea party(formerly known as the GOP) even confuses their leading nominee Romney. But he quickly got the meno and now is of course for the Blunt amendment.
Senator Roy Blunt has put the tea party amendment to a transportation bill. For this tea party , religious conservative it is not about funding for transportation needs of this country. It is about limiting preventive services under the HCA. Gives businesses a major role in deciding for all their employees what is morally allowed under their insurance policies that will cover preventive services.
So all you worker bees who in your organiztions will make that decision: the CEO, head of HR, a school board, the county board who pays for police, firefighters etc? Does you place of work really want to deny women birth control under their insurance plan? How about immunizing children, are they morally opposed to this preventive service?
Maybe that superpac donor was right. Aspirins will be the only preventive services your insurance will cover.
Damage, have to call you on this one. Certain Leftists here that show their total lack of compassion because of political differences is astonishing to observe. Please don't follow their path.
Feisty, that's about the lowest thing I've ever seen in one of these message boards - the one about Breitbart's death.
[The liberal entitlement crowd, they just want to have someone else pay for their stuff.]
My God...you are a freaking idiot....and further proof that conservatism is a mental disorder...seek help before it's too late.
You guys reaaly think someone dying that doesn't share your views makes the world a better place? You guys are COLD. You think his family thinks that too? wow!
Comments like that are just down right disgusting!
Feisty Redhead Roselle, IL
.........."The war on women rages on... shrouded behind religious freedom!
Who the hell do these bloated out white men think they are legislating OUR uterus's?
I see this battle has afforded Willard the opportunity to be for it before he was against it!.........."
The truth be known; extremists leftists like yourself couldn't give a damn less about woman's rights. Because if you did, you would have defended Hillary and Palin from the outrageous personal attacks that BOTH woman endured from the media and from people like your precious Obama, AND YOURSELF during the 2008 campaign cycle.
Religious institutions should not be forced to provide a service that is against their beliefs. For instance, Catholic Hospitals never performed abortions because of the Church's stand against them. However, under the ObaMANIA-doctrine, Catholic Hospitals could be forced to provide abortion as one of its services. That's not to say any woman would be forced to have one against her will. But, the church has always chosen not to provide that service at its hospitals, and now they could be required by law to offer them.
Furthermore, I find it interesting that you use the phrase "bloated out white men" in your post. It shows us right where your warped mind is at, and just how RACIST you really are. Up until now you've been able to mask that very well.
I don't know about your uterus. But, I do know that YOU should be legislated, medicated, and controlled psychologically.
ROFL ☺ ☺ ☺
Maxine Waters said "The Tea Party can go straight to Hell". I don't think she meant it literally. It's just so coincidental. How 'bout Roy Blunt and the RepubliCons wanting to vote to put big government in women's uteri?
That would be heaven for me.
You have to wonder how ingrained and embedded their ideology is to be that hateful.
Ben Bernanke, yesterday: "The recovery of the U.S. economy continues, but the pace of expansion has been uneven and modest by historical standards."
Maybe you're right, I should have stuck to the one-liners you idiots can understand.
http://www.federalreserve.gov/newsevents/testimony/bernanke20120229a.htm
BigATC -- You said:
You are clueless when it comes to women I see. Your statement above is naive. BTW - Assuming you are a man what makes you qualified to speak for women?
Please all knowing one - point out where I said anything about political differences?
The man lived his life scamming people, politics has nothing to do with it!
Apologies for those who find the truth to be offensive!
How long before Glenn Beck claims Breitbart's death is a "Libbie conspiracy"...?
...I give him until tomorrow...
BigATC:
You asked:
When you get right down to it, it's really a question of degree, isn't it? I think the world is a better place without the likes of Osama bin Laden, Adolph Hitler, and Muammar Khaddafy. Don't you?
Perhaps there's some folks who have been truly hurt by Breitbart and see him as a blot on mankind.
We've seen plenty of posts that wish the worst on the President of the United States. Maybe - just maybe - I'm responding to what is called faux outrage. What say you, BigATC?
You know Fiesty, the man is not yet cold. His family are in mourning. You did not like him that is obvious. You claim that this man had hatred in his heart. Can I ask how you are different? Who will mourn your passing?
Alan: You don't know why contraceptives are considered preventative care? They allow women to pick and plan the time of their conception. Most women talk to their physician before they have a child, and that physician helps them plan to be as healthy as possible, prior to conception. It is also used as a medical aid for certain medical problems that women can get.
It is a medication. It is nothing more or less. The fringe right wing considers it an "abortion" if implantation is interrupted. That is all this is about, and what it has always been about. Religion interfering with freedom.
I dont understand why its a war on women to ask them to pay for their own non medically necessary birth control? Shouldnt every one pay for the accessories for their life style decisions? Why should employers and its employees pick up the costs of other people's lifestyle decisions? If an employer wants to offer it because its a good business decision (just like domestic partner medical benefits in order to attract a diverse work force) or because from a cost/benefit analysis it makes sense, then they should be able but not mandated to do it. I just dont understand why the liberals think this is a gender issue--is it because of the liberal proclivity for wanting free stuff from the government instead of personal accountability and self reliance of making it on your own? You know its someone else's fault and someone else should pay for my behaviorial choices in life?
As a Missourian, I just want to apologize now for the "Blunt" trauma being inflicted on the Nation right now. I voted for Robin Carnahan. Roy Blunt and his son, Matt, are not fit to propose 'morality' on the state or nation.
PS. If you are from Southwest Missouri,...you should really reconsider voting for Republicans. Eric Cantor is a Republican insistent on NOT PAYING for Joplin Tornado Relief. I feel certain for Cantor, that will include the twister that hit Branson, yesterday.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Why can't men pay for their blue pills? Why should THAT be covered? Isn't that interferring with G-d's plan as to WHOM can continue to sow?
lol
So why is it exempt from a co-pay? And I understand the difference between it being used as contraception and for medical purposes such as heavy menstruation. Neither case justifies it to be treated differently than say insulin or a statin such as lipitor.
Joe and Bill sure have a sweet set of crystal balls. They have a unique Tea Bag ability to gaze into each other's balls and predict a future if a Republican president had been elected in '08. As they rub their balls, they predict unemployment would be around 1%, the debt would be a surplus, and gas would be around .34 cents a gallon. And how do they know this? Because they feel it, deep inside, all the way to their gut. That is the feeling you get when you rub your crystal balls.
Now for the rest of us, there is no way to predict what the outcome would be - but if I had a good set of crystal balls, under the leadership of a republican, we would have unemployment at 35%, a debt around 35 trillion, and gas around $15 a gallon. How did I come up with that .. well, it just feels right. Oh, and if you followed the trends in place at the end of the Bush term, my numbers wouldn't be too far off.
Newday--the law would not prevent birth control from being prescribed for medically necessary reasons so thats a non starter and nothing in the law prevents a woman from paying for it themselves--nothing prevents access to birth control. Its just who is going to pay for it. Second, I am not sure most people disagree that it could fall under the category of preventive care (although if the cost benefit analysis showed that it saved money, employers would be providing it without issue) so could millions of other nonmedically necessary items that employees are required to pay for themselves. What makes birth control such a hot button issue that makes women feel they deserve it either free or heavily subsidized? What about diet pills. should those be free and heavily subsidized? What about nicotine patches or nicoderm? You could go on and on.
Do you feel that way about Viagra too, Alan?
Clara,
Apology accepted.
Completely. IMHO it should not be covered by insurance at all.
LOL Red, that's hillarious! Great post!
Reddev--that was a very helpful post. Very constructive and informative to the debate especially when the issue isnt about Bush but about the economic policies of the current President. You brought alot to the table and so much for me to consider. Thanks.
My comment about people sharing views was just that, wishing bad upon people that don't share your views. Not mass murderers. Theres a bit of a difference there.
There are people from Farakhan (sp?) to westwood church people that speak very hateful towards people from jews to gays but i don't wish them death because i think they are a bit nuts. Nor would i revel in the death of anyone i didn't agree wish no matter how harshly i view them.
Bin Laden and Hitler are a totally different animal.
Don't Carry ......... you just assume i am a man. I just don't view forcing someone to give away free birth control as a man vs. woman issue anyway.
Every (male) senator that votes in favor of the Blunt amendment should be told they will have a probe stuck up, you know where, without their consent and if they refuse they must leave the senate and never return...
Seriously, what I don't get is why aren't woman more angry or fighting back against this foolishness... A government agency, against the will of a person, to invade that persons body? Is this WW two and Germany all over again?
Where is your anger ladies? I know I wouldn't want (If I had) my daughter or wife or sister forced to have their bodies touched when it's NOT an health issue...
Red Devil
I see why your called a devil lol I got a chuckle or that even if its not what you meant
Its the Blunt-Rubio Ammendment
No one is giving away from birth control. You all ever heard of insurance premiums?
Contraceptives are basic and necessary preventive care for women. Viagra is not.
Let's make sure that insurance companies are not forced to pay for vasectomies, Viagra, prostate exams and other "needless" male reproductive care. Oh wait, that'll never happen. I didn't say it but I love to repeat it..."If men could get pregnant there would be an abortion clinic on every corner."
Poor dead Breitbart .. I see a little bit-o-karma has come out to play.
Exactly and every one of these mandates adds to the cost of these premiums
Also, what does contraception have to do with the transportation bill?
End all amendments/attachments to all bills!
Clean voting. One issue, one bill, one vote...
True, JAS1. I was just mocking them. The next time one of their heroes dies, like say, Castro. Or Keith Olbermann or somebody, they're gonna absolutely flip even if just ONE person doesn't offer condolences. We'll probably have Dave "The Fave" Walker sniffling "you people...(sniff) (sniff) are disgusting"... once again he and the rest will be showing us what worthless hypocrites they are.
Since it saves money in the long run, Alan, you can't know that.
But if you want to use the argument that covering anything raises premiums, why have insurance? If you have cancer, following your logic, you can pay for your own treatment.
Very long and totaly condescending post Bill, my response will not be as presumptuous in regard to my superior intellect as yours, it will only employ simple math. In the last two years of the Bush presidency my retirement portfolio dropped $480,000 it was basically cut in half, inside of the first 18 months of Obama's presidency I gained all that back and much more. Now I realize you believe me to be a simpleton but I do understand the difference between less than a half million and more than a cool million.
Insurance companies are not mandated to provide vasectomies etc so not sure why you think that and if they are mandated to provide Viagra then it should also be eliminated from coverge and men should pay for their own. I agree with Alan. Newday, insurance premiums cover about 20% of health care costs, employers pick up the rest. Insurance companies make money on the administration of the medical plans they dont take any risk on employer provided medical insurance on actual medical expenses.
BigATC -- You are naive to think it is about free contraception.
How? If the benefits my employer offers covers cancer then the treatment will be paid for within the limits of co-pays and deductibles. If I choose not to have LTD for example the cost of my premiums will come down. If I don't want co-pays and deductibles the premiums will go up. There's a direct correlation. You still haven't given a good explanation of why contraception should be exempt from co-pays. So far you've attempted to deflect by using Viagra and cancer treatment, both of which are subject to normal insurance requirements.
Hi, Forrest! Hope you and Mrs. Grump are doing fine!
Newday--if it saved money in the long run, employers would be giving it out like candy. At my employer, the cost benefit analysis when Illinois mandated contraceptive coverage showed it did not save money in the long run. Primarily because you have a static type of work force and the statistics show that a certain percentage of women get pregnant each year and the number of unwanted pregnancies by women in the work force working full time (that are carried to full term) is actually pretty low at least with our work force (over 40,000 employees) so just adding contraceptives to the employers overall annual health care tab is really just more expense with very little if any long term savings. So for us, our mix was closer to 25% of the annual health care costs were picked up by the employees via premiums, co pays and deductibles was picked up by employees and 75% by the employer and we didnt choose to pick up the cost of Viagra.
JoAnnaSmith1
It may be, but it's not the place for any kind of accuracy:
Headline: MSNBC Misspells ‘Tuition’ Twice While Discussing Education Problems
JoAnnaSmith1
Look---> http://image.shutterstock.com/display_pic_with_logo/438493/438493,1314599155,1/stock-vector-inspector-cartoon-83606839.jpg
Inspector JoAnna
You make more mistakes than just spelling every day. Not only are they mistakes; they are also intentional LIES!!!
Thanks for your take on things, Bill. Your opinion is duly noted. Just a quick observation, everything doesn't happen the same way every time and that pretty much shoots down your hypothesis in flames. Your argument would never stand up in a court of law...Mainly be cause you would never make court with such a lame conclusion. Take a logic class sometime and maybe you'll understand.
I didn't know that about Breitbart, RedDev. But that doesn't change what you're doing. You realize you're now doing the same thing you are using against Breitbart, right?
Seriously, if anyone has that much anger over these foodfights, get out of the cafeteria for a while. Take a walk in the woods, or whatever gets you back into balance. And as you know, I tend to poke at the Republicans more so than the Democrats. It's not that I'm saying the other side shouldn't sometimes put their pea flingers down, too. But honestly, I've never seen this kind of anger on a message board, from either side of the food fight. Maybe I just don't get around the web enough.
Free could be an issue but thats not the main issue. Forcing someone to provide it is the issue. Since you mentioned it do you think it should not have a copay as do heart medications, diabetic supplies, etc?
My main issue is the govt forcing people to do things that should be left up to me and you to decide for ourselves and for our own families. We are a vast array of people that make up this country with lots of different views and beliefs that should all be respected. Contraception, which i have no problem with, just happens to be the issue. Could be guns, healthcare, autos, clothing, whatever. A one size fits all mandate from the govt to force us to buy or sell anything just doesn't sit well with me. If there is a program you love the govt forces on you now be certain there will be one you don't like coming soon.
I think it's morally wrong to provide health care to zombies (walking, talking, brain dead), so there goes health care for the majority of congress.
As for contraceptives, it is preventative in terms of cost to the insurer/pool of insured. Contraceptives prevent the cost of pregnancy/childbirth/newborn care. As for the moral objection, that should be determined by each person individually.
Democrats are amazed that the GOP would be stupid enough to jump on this and have to be hoping that the GOP will keep this contraception issue going, because the GOP is losing more support every day mostly from women but also from men. This may play well to the religious right base of the GOP, who are very vocal, but they only make up a minority of registered voters. The majority of voters do want access to contraception through their health plans. The vast majority of women do use, have used, or will use contraception with the full support of their partners. Even more than 90% of Catholic women use contraception in spite of the Vatican's stance. This is a losing cause for the Republican party and will cost them not only the White House, but other races as well.
This only needs to keep being a hot issue for another month or so and the damage to the GOP brand will be so ingrained to the real majority, that the following months up to November will not be enough time to win those people back that they lost on this issue.
My favorite thing that Brietbart did was when he proved that senile, old , race-baiting loudmouth, John Lewis to be a LIAR.
BigATC -- There is a mandate that hospitals must provide care regardless of ability to pay. It's a government mandate. It's an unfunded mandate. Do you agree with that mandate?
they are required to pride EMERGENCY care. If it may effect someone's life they are required to do it and yes i agree.
Hi Newday we are doing OK, thank you, I have not been posting much because I have been really busy with my work for the International office of my union (that I was so looking forward to), and that is in addition to my regular work, so I just have not had much leisure time. I am taking a little break this morning and enjoying some time on FR, you know all work and no play can make Forrest a dull boy.
Paul - I am not advocating Breitbart bashing or reverence. What I am pointing out is that Breitbart is getting a dose of his own medicine.
damage, you got video to prove that? By your logic,...It was 'proven' that W never reported for duty because Larry Flint offered a cool million for anyone with a photo of W on base,...and no one ever claimed the million successfully,...so yeah,...there's your 'proof'.
He 'proved' nothing. oh, and it's been my experience that people don't randomly wipe spittle from their face without, you know, CAUSE.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Waves at Forrest, good to see you out and about!
Did you know that you can go to Planned Parenthood to get a vasectomy? It's a fairly inexpensive procedure. Hell, you can go back to work the same day if you work in an office or something like that, although it is advisable to take care when sitting down. If all men did that, it would pretty much take care of the contraception argument.
I've been non-fattening for quite some time now. Come on all you he-man types, man up and take the worry of an unwanted pregnancy off your partner's shoulders. It's rather liberating actually.
Bill,
I read your post and just as yesterday I will not call it irrelevant. I will explain as I did yesterday that comparing this recession to Bush's gives a more accurate measure. This recession was a global one and is lagging due to increase exposure to globalization. Even my current employer is still taking steps to limit exposure for the chaos in Eurpope. I am not asking you not to compare I am simply asking you to admit it's different. You have refused and everytime I offered a logical argument you ignored my argument and said I was making excuses.
Rather than explain to me why the Regan recession makes a better comparison than the Bush, you simply just provide more detail of the comparison of the Regan recession (we get it). Yesterday you even sugegsted measures to increase the recovery that we have seen do not work.
I am confused what value you are trying to add by bringing up the comparison repeatedly? Are you telling us Obama should have lowered taxes? Guess what they were... as far and cutting regulations I disagree. So there you have it I answered you please do not come tomorrow with an even longer wall with more of the same.
Romney: "OH! THAT government intrusion on women!! I thought you meant the vaginal probe stuff and making me talk about vaginas again! Sure, I can support it. It is just aimed at women who want legal abortions, right?" Romney round two: after someone tells him it could impact MEN's health care, "well now wait just a minute, here. I wasn't fully briefed on that one! It was a trick question!"
Seriously: a rule that says no insurer has to provide anything that 'bothers' their conscience, poor delicate creatures?? So if blood transfusions upset someone's religion, pulling coverage is ok? Pulling insurance from HIV positive patients because you disagree with their "lifestyle" would be ok? How about refusing to provide coverage for any single mother? What about alcoholics? What about smokers? Even the Republicans couldn''t be THIS stupid could they...now they're going to approve something that could impact MEN's medical care? No, I don't think so...the old white guys are all they have left...wait until THEY find out the firing squad on government intervention in all things in the name of "freedom" would impact THEM.
Paul M in Woodbridge...great post. Couldn't agree more. I know a lot of people didn't like him because he was a conservative activist...I get that and that's fine. And yes, the things he said about Ted Kennedy after his death were deplorable. Things that I certainly wouldn't have said. Nevertheless...the guy just died at age 43 and left behind a wife and 4 children. To me, that's sad, regardless of politics.
Even Media Matters had this to say:
Dogma Bites well said. I don't think Bill understands we get his point, we just dont agree he has not stopped repeating it.
All juice & no seeds eh? lol
Interesting that Dennis missed this-
http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0212/73408.html#ixzz1nlwKN38K
That's why gas is headed to five dollars, folks.
It's deliberate. Great job, Obama.
Will republicans force men who want a vasectomy to look at pictures of their sperm before they perform the operation?
My condolences to Brietbart's family and friends.
As for the Blunt/Rubio attachment to the transportation bill and all those in support:
....................../´¯/)
....................,/¯../
.................../..../
............./´¯/'...'/´¯¯`·¸
........../'/.../..../......./¨¯\
........('(...´...´.... ¯~/'...')
.........\.................'...../
..........''...\.......... _.·´
............\..............(
..............\.............\...
Well BigATC -- The emergency room of a hospital is being used as a doctor's office to treat the uninsured. They come in with the flu, broken toes, fevers etc. and they are treated regardless of ability to pay. My point is government does mandate healthcare already. The cost of the uninsured is shifted to those that have insurance or unto the taxpayer.
Cynthia -- Well said! : ) Forrest -- Well said! Thanks for the chuckles Cyn and Forrest!
Cynthia, you go girl! However if the bill passes that particular procedure can be denied on the grounds of a religious objection, Ha.
No Joe,
Yet you cannot prove me wrong !
It is a shame that our President is working on a long-term plan to reduce our need for oil. No Joe just wants to stay in the 19th or 20th century.
"We need an all-out, all-in, all-of-the-above strategy that develops every source of American energy — a strategy that's cleaner and cheaper and full of new jobs," our President said in the SOTU.
Andrew Breitbart, dead at 43. Karma is a bitch.
Obama/Biden 2012
David -- In our household that procedure improved our quality of life! lol ; ) Some men are just terrific!
The point is to skewer Obama's hollow left wing argument that "the hole was really deep, so don't blame me for the puny recovery." Get it? Really?
There's a simple way to determine if something should be covered by medical insurance. If it requires a prescription from a doctor, or a visit to a doctor to acquire it - it should be covered.
As for religious beliefs, do you really want to live in a country where your church writes the laws, or your government?
David Walker- good for you :)
My hubby has already agreed to be snipped once we're sure we're ready to stop at two- those two are currently 2yr old and 5 yr old little balls of energy, and he'd like to retain some of his sanity, even at the cost of all those poor little spermies that will never get to go anywhere.
Dennis - the No Jo's and her right wing nuts would have allowed whales to go extinct for the whale oil. I find it ironic that conservatives and conservation are ideological polar opposites. They really should be called the Badlands Party.
Just in: Blunt ammendment defeated in the Senate 51-48.
I read the link NJNB, all it says is that they are trying to lesson our dependence on oil, so just how does that make them responsible for high gas prices. Our consumption is down and our supply is so healthy that we are exporting oil and refined gasoline, are you suggesting that Obama should attempt to regulate the oil companies. Are you proposing that they should not be allowed to sell their product to the highest bidder in the world market. Care to explain why if demand is down and supply is plentiful in the US the price continues to rise in the US. The reason is somebody is willing to pay a higher price and the US oil companies are practicing free market capitalism and selling it to them, if you have a problem with free market capitalism why blame it on a president you believe to be a socialist, and who you wish would just keep his hands off the free market and let it do it's thing unregulated and unfettered. Americans will pay world fuel prices, and no matter how much domestic oil production we have the oil companies will sell those products on the world market to the highest bidder, just the way republicans say it should work.
Sure don't carry i agree. All you mentioned could be life threatening. You can't go in and say "check my blood pressure, give me a months supply of the pill, fix my toe fungus and while you're at it get these lice out of my hair".
One of the things i found fascinating with Romneycare that i never would have thought of ....... is that emergency room visits actually went UP after it passed. A lot of the flu and fever types that used to go to the doctor went to the ER, even people with insurance, because the wait times to see doctors went up dramatically. Mass has highest wait times of any state and Boston is the highest of any big city. I would guess the same would happen with Obamacare adding another 30 million or so with the same number of doctors.
Cynthia -- Thanks for the update. That was a little too close in my opinion. Hope the heck people are paying attention!
BigATC -- We have a healthcare problem in this country. It needs to be fixed.
DCIA,
Ditto that!
Too close for comfort if you ask me!
DCIA,
Ditto that!
Too close for comfort if you ask me!
Good job Congress doesn't use the delegate system or that would have been a tie.
Feisty -- They want a battle it appears. Ready? ; )
Speculators pushed oil up maybe 20% according to some cnbc oil gurus due to the Iran mess. And watch what happens when "helicopter" Ben Bernanke start his next QE (3,4,5?) in the next month or so. Oil (and all other commodoties) will shoot through the roof because of the money printing. Which will give us big time inflation for whoever wins in November.
Employer provided health insurance is another form of compensation in lieu of increased wages. Pay the employee more and let them decide which policy they want however employers use health insurance coverage to attract employees as it is cheaper for them to enter into a pool than to pay the wage increase.
Single payer would solve this but the right refuses to allow this freedom of choice.
The Blunt amendment is vague and deceptive aimed as end run around the AHCA it will be another nail in the GOP's coffin. Could happen to a more deserving bunch...idiots!
As for both parties licking their chops...The RWNJs picked the fight only they came unarmed so when they lose again it will be well deserved.
They got the premise of this story correct, it is all about political gain and nothing to do with the American people. It is not as if we are attracting the best and the brightest to serve us in Washington from the White House right through Congress, those people aren't stupid enough to run. Besides it is easier to simply buy the politicians to service your ideology. There are simply no moral or ethical standards in Washington and there hasn't been for a long time. Unfortunately there aren't many left in society either, so I guess people do learn somethings from their leaders.
terry (1.85) nothing to do with it. just like including student loan reform in obamacare.
silly practice used by both parties.
Bill you are not though. Comparing it to history does not invalidate anything if the circumstances are different. That false logic was one of the things that got us into our financial collaspse in the first place. One assumption that fueled the housing crisis was people saying "Housing prices have never gone down everywhere at the same time (regionaly speaking)". That assumption led many to believe that their investments had no where to go but up. It didnt.
It may be close in Congress but it is not nearly as close with the electorate, just like republicans in Wisconsin and Ohio wear they claimed to be representing the will of the people and then got killed on the issue. They make it more probable that Obama gets elected every day, and it will cost them plenty of Congressional seats as well. They have not learned yet that you can't take your marching orders from the likes of Norquist, the Koch brothers, the insurance lobby, and a handful of religious zealots and claim it is the will of the electorate.
BigATC,
[Speculators pushed oil up maybe 20%]
By today’s prices, that means the national average for gas would be about $3.
Dennis, we will never really know. The so called "experts" aren't always expert. Could be 5 or 10%. You can be sure anytime a major oil producer has "uncertainty" about supply prices will go up. Even though demand is down here globally it is up and we will be a global economy for oil for a long time. We have more energy here (oil, gas, coal) than any other country by far.
Single payer would solve this but the right refuses to allow this freedom of choice.
________________________________________________
A mandated govt run "single payer" where every man, woman and child has ONLY the one mandated govt "choice" or gets nothing, is "freedom of choice"????
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
As if anyone in the world needed it, more proof that liberalism is an incurable mental illness that only gets worse with time, thus the tern "progressive".
BTW, Nasty and Bev, looks like you two will be buying the first couple of rounds at the Dew Drop Inn's libsrus club Breitbart Death Celebration party tonight.
Forrest ..... neither party much gives a crap about the will of the electorate.
As in Obamacare i just looked at the RealClearPolitics polling, which averages all the polls, and the percentage of people for it is 37.3%. Just over one in three want it the will of the electorate???? It's all about ideollogy. Same with Republicans.
I thought that interesting too Joe someone would talk of wanting "choice" in health plans and then wanting single payer. Which will lead to the govt telling you what your insurance and benefits will be. Hence the polling average above of only 37.3% of the people in favor of Obamacare, which will lead us there.
Silly Joey,...
The drinks are FREE at the Dew Drop,...you know,...it's all socialized.
BigATC,
If you look at a more in-depth poll on the ACA it shows that only 1 in 3 want it repealed, that the majority want it fixed/changed/improved.
News for Dumb FUX (1.23) you say:
My daughter had a student once, who's parents refused medical treatment for a sinus infection.
Instead choosing to pray it away.
The little boy went blind because the pressure eventually blew out his optic nerves...
Talk about child abuse!
Sickening!
that is sad.
can you provide some additional background please? since you say they chose to pray rather than seek medical attention i wonder if they may be members of the Church of Christ, Scientist.
I will await your reply to carry the discussion further.
There goes Joey rubbing his crystal balls again and coming up with a completely false future (you could say, shooting blanks). A single payer option does not mean other options would go away, it means the single payer option would compete with what is currently available, and that is called 'freedom of choice'.
Joe and BigATC -- If we went to a system that allows insurances to cross state lines we would end up with a few too-big -to- fail, cost fixing, market based, healthcare insurance providers where the stockholder will decide who and what care you receive. (Not to mention it would actually raise the cost for you to see a doctor because they will have to hire a slew of workers to wade through and bill 400+ insurers.)
I'm not saying ACA is perfect either. But from my viewpoint there is no difference between the two options.
Healthcare is healthcare is healthcare. We compartmentalize it into Medicare, Medicaid, Insurance, non-insured care etc. It's all healthcare, we all need it and we need to address the problem head on until we get it right.
If what Red says is correct about single payer option as direct competition to for-profits it might work.
Dennis the polling from the last several months i looked up say different. The number of people that are totally FOR Obamacare, that DO want it ......
Quinnipiac 39%
Rasmussen 38%
AP 29%
CBS 35%
Gallup 42%
CNN 39%
FOX 39%
Newsweek 37%
Pew 38%
NBC/WSJ 33%
These were taken over the last several months some going back into the end of last year. Over several weeks of polling each from different time frames from each source listed.
When all of these different poles were done from different times and all averaged by RCP the overall average of people that want Obamacare is 37.3%.
BigATC,
I never said your numbers were not correct. The question was a simple for or against.
I said that when more in-depth polls with more options were conducted the results do not yield the same results.
BigATC at the time health care reform was overwhelmingly popular with the electorate, it was mucked up politically and the final bill is not what many expected was possible and desirable. Not to mention 2 plus years of bad press and flat out lies about the existing plan that are now reflected in polling. Go back and look at the polling on the desire for a health care system overhaul at the time it was being passed, (if that is possible) and I am quite sure you will find it is definitely something the electorate wanted.
Don't carry ...... there are other insurance industries that do cross state lines and haven't had the snowballing into one area affect. Life insurance and car insurance industries can cross state lines and is working well. I always thought all were like that until the health care debate and was surprised that the health care industry was't allowed to do it.
You won't get healthy competition the way Obamacare is set up. Give a business a choice to pay 10k for a forced plan or pay a 2k fine, the business will pay the fine and force people to make the same choice or on the govt program.
When the govt get involved in competing with the private sector it never goes well. Take Fannie/Freddie for instance. They compete with the private market but have an advantage of access to funds, tax advantage status, lower rates, lower capitalization and grew into an out of control behemouth. Basically the biggest hedge fund on the planet.
The govt does NOTHING efficiently.
The drinks are FREE at the Dew Drop,...you know,...it's all socialized.
______________________________________________
No wonder Nasty and Bev are the big spenders, they're spending other people's money, just like the Dems in Congress and the WH. Since it's FREE, may I suggest they try the Dem hemlock kool-ade Barry punch for all the libsrus partiers at the Breitbart Death Celebration party tonight. I can just imagine the orgasmic ecxtasy now going on at the libsrus club chat room. Just remember, what goes around, comes around.
From the article: "...has Romney ever followed a win with a good news day?"
Nope, and the morning after the November elections is going to follow that trend.
Obama in November! There isn't any choice!
Oh really ATC? Then why do senior citizens overwhelming elect Medicare vs. going the private insurance route? Have you compared the cost of mailing a letter via the post office vs. FedEx or UPS. The argument that private companies do better than government is a tired, dried up argument that can be refuted at every turn.
When a woman gets pregnant, it is very hard on the body. There is 9 months of carrying it, during which there is morning sickness and other illnesses that can harm a pregnant woman (gestational diabetes)... and that is before you even talk about the actual damage (pelvic floor, ripping, stiches) and risks from child birth (the rate of death during child birth has drastically reduced, but hundreds still die every year). It takes a long time for a woman's body to recover completely. I think the negative results of pregnancy are far worse than many of the official diseases out there. Yes, I am a woman, however I have always refered to pregnancy as a STD.
As for this raising our premiums, how much are the pills compared to the cost of all those check ups/medication/vitamins during pregnancy and delivery? Considering the large number of pregnancies that are accidents, it could SAVE alot of money.
I have no doubt people want reform in health care, or that it is probably needed. I have over 20 years in 3 federal agencies and it makes me laugh when people want the govt to take control of health care from the MASSIVE amounts of waste and ineffiencies i see almost daily.
The child only policies that are one of the few things in effect .....majority of states either lowered coverage or stopped offering the policies altogether.
Principal Group announced they would leave the health care industry.
CLASS, a big part of ACA, deamed unfundable by not only actuary, but Sebellius herself.
Medical device manufacturing industry cutting jobs from tax. Same thing happened to luxury yacht industry years ago if you remember when the "luxury" tax on it almost killed that industry. Before congress wised up and took it back off.
Met Life will be discontinuing long term care. Hits my parents.
Riley hospital (for kids) no longer getting major discount for rare drugs.
All since obamacare. Government trying to run anything will screw it up. Military may be the only exception.
"Just remember, what goes around, comes around", that's a strange statement from a guy that has barely managed a civil post himself in three years Joe. BTW you forgot to add your signature HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
BigATC -- Medicare is proven to be very efficient. We will see just how efficient and preferred Medicare is over for-profit outfits should republicans get their way with the option of vouchers for Medicare. My bet is the program will be a failure. They are against mandates requiring people purchase market based insurance and are suing the government over this provision in ACA.
RedDev, private insurance doesn't take money out of my check to fund their products as happens with Medicare.
It is federal law that the post office can't be competed with if you didn't know.
If you look up the history of the post office back when they were charging a dime to deliver it to a common area, not your home, an individual did just that. Compete with post office. He not only did it cheaper, 3 cents, but delivered it directly to your home. Private sector more efficient than the govt, imagine that.
The result ...... congress then passed a law that we can't compete with the post office. LOL
BigATC -- Bottom line is we agree there is a problem with healthcare or lack thereof in this country. SCOTUS will decide if mandates are legal. (Was happy this Administration pushed to have it heard.) These issues need to be resolved so we can move forward on the very important issue of healthcare and how to provide it to all in this Country.
Thanks for keeping the discussion civil and interesting. Til next time.
I can't find any reference to this story, but I doubt it was true competition. The post office has the obligation to deliver the mail across the nation. Are you telling me this so called competitor was able to achieve national delivery at 3 cents per letter? Don't forget to add in the costs of maintaining the law enforcement/investigative arms of the agency. Did this competitor also have to factor in those costs? I suspect all this competitor did was prove he could deliver a letter, within a metropolitan location, at a lower cost, which isn't true competition.
and yet, joey, it didn't prevent YOU from applying for membership.
oh, and here's one from your play book:
lmfao at you,.............
bwwwwwwwwwwwwwwaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhhaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa
reddev .... google "lysander spooner" ...... interesting story
this was way back in the mid 1800's i believe and was an interesting story when i heard about it years ago. i remember it from the "father of the 3 cent stamp" label
even then i imagine it took some guts to take on the federal govt
ATC- Really so there's no DHL, Fed-Ex, etc. competing with the P.O. and by the way the P.O. delivers 25% of these carriers loads.
No private insurers only raise the rates or deny you coverages. So I guess they're not taking money out of your paycheck...Quack!
and yet, joey, it didn't prevent YOU from applying for membership.
______________________________
Clara Belle: It was a morbid curiosity that caused me to experience a momentary lapse of reason.
A morbid curiosity is an example of addictive curiosity, the object of which is death, violence, or any other event that may hurt you physically, mentally or emotionally.
For a brief moment I was considering experimenting with experiencing the feeling of the incurable, progressive mental illness of liberalism wher everything you want is free. Thankfully, your libsrus club denied my morbid curiosity and I very quickly returned to the realm of the sane, rational people. To the extent you helped my return by deny me entrance to the libsrus looney bin, I am eternally grateful.
BTW, do they serve free grilled filet and AK sockeye salmon, and ice-cold Sam Adams' in libsrus-land??
The DHL's, Fedex, UPS, etc deliver packages, not your ordinary snail mail. You cant write a letter to auntie Em put a .42 stamp on it and drop it in the UPS box. Read the story of "lysander spooner" and it has in 1851 the govt made it illegal to compete for ordinary mail. The guy was putting the USPS out of business. Real free spirit kinda guy also big into abolishing slavery.
The private insurance companies get my money ..... IF ...... i choose to do business with them. I don't have a choice with Medicare.
I don't remember the last quarter numbers, but the USPS was back to congress wanting more money to the tune of several Billion if i'm not mistaken.
It is funny that the very same govt that is tasked with preventing monopolies, which is a good thing, has within itself ...... a monopoly.
Umm, Joey,
based on your history here alone,...you'd be hard pressed to claim a 'momentary lapse of reason'.
that's pretty much a perpetual state for you, eh? or is it chemically induced? it sounds like you DO enjoy experimenting.
All the food at the inn is free, joey. regardless of the menu options.
Okay so Bill from Fairfax is here today pontificating and trying to make everyone believe he is sooooo much smarter than the rest of us - when he actually doesn't have a clue. I guess writing a "book" makes him think he's smart. And, the name calling - so kindergarten! But, what to expect from Bill? He reminds me of the Montana judge who sent the racial e-mail and now is claiming there is nothing racial about it! What a group of sad excuses for humans.
I see the Senate was in fine form today and took the little GOPers to school. Bet Limbaugh is blowing a fuse - like he always is!
BigATC - I love that you believe no one is going to vote based on their views on contraception since there are more important issues out there - like jobs and the economy. You might want to pass that along to the GOP politicians who have decided that women's sex lives are the most important thing going right now. You might also want to point out that we don't forget when we go to the polls. Just wait to "hear us roar!"
Why give Santorum coverage, the guy is a joke. Ricko is not Presidential material, he walks with the tea retard idiots drawing flies.
David Stockman: If You Want to Address Gas Prices, 'Stop Beating the War Drums Right Now'
This was a breath of fresh air rather than the usual nonsense we're hearing from Republicans with more "drill baby drill" as a way to control the price of oil and gasoline we're seeing rise again right now. From Fareed Zakaria GPS, former Reagan budget director David Stockman hit the nail on the head; stop with the warmongering and threatening Iran.
ZAKARIA: Do you think that's - what do you think will happen with oil? Because the demand certainly doesn't justify $105 barrel oil. I mean, China is -
STOCKMAN: I think you can address this decisively by stop beating the war drums right now. And Obama could do that, and he could say the neocons are history.
The policy that they're talking about right now is the same thing we heard in 2001, 2002, and 2003. And he needs to clearly say that we're not going to attack Iran. We're not going to permit Israel to attack Iran. They are not part of the axis of evil. They're part of the axis of medieval.
In other words, these are backward people that aren't going to threaten the western world, and we need to get into a serious process of negotiation. If we do that, the price of oil will drop $30 within a few months, and all the speculators who are on the wrong side of the ship would learn a good lesson.
But as long as the war drums continue to beat, as they are now, we're going to see this kind of speculative fraud. It's not real. It's not supply and demand world today.
http://videocafe.crooksandliars.com/heather/david-stockman-if-you-want-address-gas-pri
___________________________________________________________
There you go. The Big He-Daddy of Reaganomics.
Maybe you’ll ought to listen to him.
You can keep on walking around beating on your chests acting all big and bad and let Iran and Syria escalate into something all out of proportion to the threat they really pose.
Or you can use your heads for something besides to hold your ears apart and quit letting Speculators drive Foreign Policy and have 10 or 15% cheaper gas.
Don’t seem like a hard choice to me.
‘Course I’m kinda used to using my head for something besides to hold my ears apart.
Might be a new experience for some of you’ll Yahoo’s.
No kidding, IR; what is it with the Republicans and going to war? Have they learned nothing?
"""these are backward people that aren't going to threaten the western world"""
Wow, IR. What a racist statement. Do you agree with that? Do you really think the Iranians are "backward?" If so, why? Because they're "brown" people? Because they're Muslim? Surely you're not suggesting that Islam is a "backward" religion, are you?
Good post IR........and as Mitt Romney has almost all of the neocons from the previous administration as advisers I guess we know where they plan to take us. The voices of moderate Republicans are not listened to in this toxic atmosphere.
When are we ever going to learn?
Thanks for sharing this, IR--words I never thought to hear David Stockman say. Perhaps if the neo-cons or their children had actually had to fight and pay for 10 years of wars they'd feel differently. The rest of us are weary of war and glad to have an administration seeking other solutions to global issues.
IR:
Another fine reference. After umpty-ump Presidents calling for energy independence, knowing that oil reserves are declining, knowing that extraction of petroleum from tar sands and shale means an incredible increase in pollution and a horrible effect on water supplies, you'd think we might get a crash project going on alternative energy sources.
Naaaaaaaaaaah! War is always the answer. Easier, cheaper, and what the hell, if any American is killed, you probably don't know him or her anyway.
damagedgoods123:
Those were Stockmans words. You know - one of the heroes of the Reagan admin. A Republican.
blearyeyed, they may not remember Stockman from back then, I think that they're too young.
IR - Terrific post. I heard this guy on Fareed's show and was surprised by his viewpoints on the subject. At least we know some sanity still exists in the republican party. Not much but some. ; )
That's right, bleary. Stockman's words, but IR's post. He apparently pasted them because he agrees with them, right? When I say Islam or Iran is "backward", I get accused of 20 different "isms". The usual cards pulled by this crowd. So, will any of you call out IR for his apparent agreement with Stockman's "racist" (or whatever) characterizations?
NO. You won't. Liberal hypocrisy at it's best. Do you people ever get tired of being so damn easy?
"With all the Christian bashing going on this week from the ususal dumb fux, isn't it good to have an occasion like the Koran Burning Incident to remind us all, once again, that OUR religion, traditions and civilization are SUPERIOR and that, contrary to what you lefties think, Christians ARE superior? Face it folks: again we are hammered with evidence that ISLAM is backwards and sick. Most of you are to stupid and hypocritical to agree, but who really cares. You people just can't admit what's in front of your face. As usual.
And don't give me your standard, tired BS about The Crusades. That was what...1,000 years ago? Tim McVeigh? He was an Atheist like you people so don't go there either. Even if he WAS Christian, did he committ his atrocity in the name of his religion? NO. Did he scream "I love Jesus!!" as the bomb went off? NO."
Direct Quote from Damage123
Damage, I don't think you deserve the courtesy of being branded as any 'ism' except for dumbassbigotedloonism.
Whatever you think of Christianity or Islam the truth is, in the global free market of religion Islam is beating Christianity badly they have the greatest market share by a very wide margin, Islam's CEO or God is beating Christianity's CEO or God, from a free market capitalism standpoint.
Hey Forest hope that you and Lotta are doing well both with the treatments and the new responsibilies.Know your busy as am I. Just a quick note to let you know that the Hill folk miss you and keep you in thier thoughts. Keep plugging my friend.
Thanks a bunch from Forrest and Lotta Grump IR, I miss all of you as well, and I am really enjoying this morning of playing hooky from my work, I have been hitting it real hard, and I am way ahead of schedule so I decided to just take a little time off this morning. So far I seem to be cancer free at the moment, however they will keep checking me at regular intervals to make sure there is no reoccurrence or cells did not break loose and set up shop in other parts of my body, I greatly appreciate the prayers and well wishes and I thank the lord for people like yourself in my prayers.
Forrest -- Did not know you are facing challenges to your health. Good to hear you are beating it. Much love to you and yours and will put in my prayers, friend.
Thank You so Much, Don't carry it all, I think I will be fine, HA evidently I am too toxic for cancer, the doctors were pretty amazed I had been walking around with a tumor the size of a lemon, they said it had to be there for quite some time. Here's the funny thing, I had been trying to lose a little weight and was doing real good, so good that people would say "wow you look great are you sick or something". Now that's when you know you are a really ugly old bastard, when people say wow you look better, what are are you sick or something, HA. I thought it was because I switched to diet soda and cut down on some salty snacks, I don't recommend my diet plan, but it's the damnedest thing I do look better.
Forrest -- Methinks your wonderful sense of humor helps get you through! You found something good out of a lot a bad. That speaks to your resilience of spirit. : ) Keep on keeping on!
Women, it is time to get RUSH (the sexual predator and womanizing deviate) off the airwaves for his comments today. Call for his licence to be pulled permanently. Boycott him and those who support him. Advertisers, stations and anyone else who allows him on the air until he is off the air forever.
Congrats Forrest on cancer free. I got a good friend fighting cervical cancer now and it can be very trying. Makes other things, including political discussions with ignorant people like myself :-), seem trivial. Also lost a family member last fall to cancer so it is good to hear a success story. God bless and keep well.
I'm sorry for your loss BigATC, and I don't consider you ignorant in any sense, but I agree it does put things into prospective. Our nation experienced something like this after 911 but how soon we forget to work well and play well with others, at this stage we would flunk kindergerten on that basis.
Why give Santorum coverage because the guy is a joke, he is not Presidential material and he doesn't belong with the rest of the lot. End of Story !
Romney is a LIAR!!
Romney on the Blunt Amendment on ONN - YouTube of interview question and answer
Interviewer: Blunt-Rubio is being debated I believe later this week, it deals with banning or allowing employers to ban providing female contraception. Have you taken a position?
Romney: I'm not for the bill. But, look, the idea of presidential candidates getting into questions about contraception within a relationship between a man and a woman, husband and wife, I'm not going there.
The interviewers specifically references Blunt-Rubio in his question. How many Blunt's and Rubio's are in the same state legislatures in the US? Either Romney is not paying attention to the question that is asked of him or Romney gave his honest opinion and it is contrary to what has been said in speeches because the speeches do not reflect his personal positions.
This country needs jobs and new innovative ways for America not only to thrive in the 21st century but to dominate but yet everyday we see the GOP doing their “lets go back to the 18th century“garbage. In November Americans will have the opportunity to vote these Neanderthals out of office and I believe they will. The Republican Party in its present form is a disease that needs to be eradicated.
I agree, I would personally like to see the House imprisoned. From my point of view they are treasonous and traitors to this country. It is one thing to play partisanship, it is quite another to root for and attempt to make the U.S. and the president fail.
Did they not take an oath to uphold the Constitution?
Only an idiot would disregard the ability of a candidate for POTUS to handle our country's domestic, financial, unemployment, job creation, foreign affairs, etc, etc, problems -- i.e. to be a good leader to pull us out of this mess -- because he holds holds a belief, one way or another, on abortion. No one should base his vote on abortion -- no president can overturn Roe v. Wade. That is a Supreme Court decision and the Court will not reverse. You idiots who think so should study Law and the Supreme Court's adamant adherence to precedent. Vote for our country not for your uterus.
Hey Forrest! Glad to hear you are doing well! good to see you here and abouts, My prayers have been with you my friend!....
I cant believe my eyes!
I can't believe that you guys are offering praise for a senior RONALD REAGAN official! Do you guys also know he is a Ron Paul supporter? look at his statement, it's right out of Dr Paul's foreign policy manual!
Then in another article a few days ago, claiming that the republicans have lost their way on taxes, you have Bruce Bartlett! Another RONALD REAGAN Official, AND Ron Paul supporter, was interviewed by Bill Moyer to rave reviews on the left!
Am I going insane today or are all you guys switching parties behind my back?
I've personally met both these men, and they deserve a place in our government, they make more sense than the next ten Republicans or Democrats COMBINED!
If the Blunt Amendment passes can I deny you treatment for your lung cancer by merely stating that I am morally opposed to smoking?
Can I deny you treatment for HIV or AIDS by saying I'm morally opposed to heterosexual relationships or drug use or blood transfusions?
Can I deny you treatment for your pregnancy by saying I'm morally opposed to you being a single parent (while denying you coverage for an abortion because I'm against that, too)?
I'm just curious.
Can I deny you a brain transplant because, as a lefty, you only had a stunted, half of one to begin with?
Oh, my...aren't we the witty one?
Heh heh.
Wow...coffee hasn't kicked in yet. That should say "homosexual relationships".
Always keeping it classy Brain Damaged. Too bad your mother didn't use contraception.
Any woman today in the year 2012, who would vote for a Republican, is the equivalent of a Civil War era slave volunteering to fight for the Confederate Army during this ugly war.
Keep your rights to your health care.
Poor Tom. Born with a coat hanger sticking out of his head. Explains A LOT.
This discussion shows exactly why the government shouldn't be involved in administering health care. There is not a "one size fits all" plan.
[Too bad your mother didn't use contraception.]
...or a coat hanger, which if the GOP had it's way, would be the preferred method.
Today's GOP: Returning you to the days of back alley abortions, one fetus at a time!
Actually, Noid...you may not be that far off!
Sorry Brain Damaged. I didn't mean to insult your mother. Birth control is not 100% effective. Sometimes living with mistakes can be really embarrassing for parents.
Damage @3.7===I would be willing to bet that your spouse doesn't like you either.
Can we all quit feeding this POS?
Pretty please?
[Pretty please?]
Oh, ok...but it's so much fun to poke the ignorants here.
Damage is so vile with his comments his own tea people GOP Koch republican buddies won't even back him up. You're on an island all by yourself Damage.
The Ignoring author button is the way I view Damage the DA.
Da Noid
Keep up with the times. 75 percent of the new HIV cases in the world are from heterosexual relationships.
Using text speak intials doesn't change the fact that instead of discussing the issues presented in the article in an adult fashion, exchanging ideas, we have resorted to junior high name calling and playing the dozens....anyone out there remember the dozens? or is the group here too suburban and politically correct. You know, George Carlin was 100% correct when he asserted that "There are no bad words, only bad intentions." And this thread really proves it. It is filled with personal attacks and generic rants filled with cussing instead of facts and examples for the points being made.
Speaking of other acts of racism, how about Frank Graham... oh wait, he was just talking religion and not culture...
Sorry matey, the apology is too little too late and wasn't even an apology. When I see the Jim Bakker crocodile tears, then I will at least crack a smile. Besides, he did kind of sound Santorumish. Or was it Santorum sounding GrahamCrackerish?
Louis,
Amen to that.
Caught his act on MSNBC he dodge, deflected,dissembled and finally acquiesced. Yes he judges, yes he uses a litmus test based on his personal political bent, yes only his way is the right way,and yes he is a bigot. All others need not apply only my church is going to heaven...Franklin Graham paraphrased.
Wow...coffee hasn't kicked in yet. That should say "homosexual relationship".
da noid,
still comes out the same, the ultra right are pretty much against any sexual relations
Does this mean we will become a nation of Virgins?! OMG!!!!! The "others" will love us!
It's deeper than that. Blood transfusions are against the Jehova's Witnesses's faith. Psychiatric treatments are against the Scientologist's faith (yes it is recognized as a religion). All forms of medical treatment are against the Christian Scientist's faith. The HPV vaccine runs afoul of many Christians though it isn't explicitly against their faith, I'm sure a religious objection would be granted anyways. There are also a large number of small sects that reject medical treatment. Fundamentalist Islamists and fundamentalist jews reject any vaccine prepared using methods in the tissues or in an animal considered unclean such as pigs. The more mainstream Islam and Judaism make specific exemptions.
Basically this is an attempt to water down healthcare until people get fed up and buy their own insurance outside of an employer. This ain't gonna work for Americans. Buying insurance just for my family costs me about $14,000 per year, more than my mortgage. Were my employer not providing my individual insurance it would be closer to $20,000 per year, more than a third of my income. I wouldn't pay for it. Uninsured people drive up medical costs, so the cost of healthcare continues to skyrocket until something gives and I don't know what will happen when it does.
Below is the main reason why Romney refuses to do interviews with real news networks.
By Lisa Lerer and Julie Bykowicz - Mar 1, 2012 12:01 AM ET
"In a television interview yesterday in the state that is a major prize in next week's voting, Romney said he opposed a measure pushed by U.S. Senate Republicans to let employers opt out of providing health coverage for contraception. Conservatives have rallied around the proposed exemption to a health-care rule adopted by President Barack Obama, and Romney's initial response prompted an outcry.
Republican presidential Contender Mitt Romney speaks during a campaign rally at Capital University in Bexley, Ohio.
He and his campaign quickly stressed that Romney had misunderstood the question and supports the legislation, sponsored by Senator Roy Blunt, a Missouri Republican who backs him for his party's nomination.
"Regarding the Blunt bill, the way the question was asked was confusing," Romney spokeswoman Andrea Saul said in a statement. The candidate "supports the Blunt bill because he believes in a conscience exemption in health care for religious institutions and people of faith," she said."
So, at best Willard was confused?
...but at worst he flip-flopped again?
Ladies and gentlemen, behold...THE FRONT-RUNNER!!!
Job1......exactly. How could he misunderstand. It's been the most talked about topic for the past few weeks. Is this another example of his thinking, or maybe lack thereof, how in heaven's name could he handle the office of the President and its attendant demands and topics.
Romney "refusing" to do interviews with major networks is strictly YOUR opinion. Remember, it was the "major" networks that elected Hussein in the first place and did all they could to tear down McCain. Romney needs to be careful in picking and choosing and deciding just who might make an attempt to be fair.
Besides. All those debates that just ended were essentially "interviews" with the major networks anyway. For now, Mitt will stick with FOX in the same way that Hussein will stick to networks that are not out to destroy him. Hussein did, what, ONE Fox interview? You people whined about all the tough questions he had to face for DAYS afterwards.
In the real world, the President of the U.S. doesn't get do-overs. His words and actions have consequences that can't be reversed by staff. We're supposed to support Romney because of his competence but this kind of story doesn't inspire confidence. If he didn't understand the question, why didn't he ask for clarification?
I'm SO glad to know that everybody in Liberal Lala Land have PERFECT hearing. I'm sure that not ONE of them ever heard a question, composed an answer and then realized they had heard the question wrong. And, if you had listened to this interview, it was awkward how it was asked. But, like I said, it would NEVER happen to a liberal.
Before Obama answered, he would have asked "which of the 57 states am I in"?
One flub in three years by the President. However, these Republican Clowns make it a daily event.
Do a real interview Mitt. You can't keep putting it off.
Dirt, I did listen to the interview...several times. He is running for President, he has to show he is capable of responding to the demands of the day and the office. Please stop with the nonsensical 57 states crap, if that is all you have to offer as a rebuttal for your flawed candidate, stop, stop it, before you too show the world you are in incompetent thinker defending another non thinker.
IMO, that still can't top Newt Gingrich last year when he blasted the Paul Ryan budget plan (which would have lead to radical changes to Medicare) then tried to backtrack by saying that anyone in the media who tries to use his own words against him is lying on that issue.
Santorum may have been living in the wrong century for his beliefs, but at least he has believes and is able to stick to them.
Doesn't top Governor Bob McDonnell just finding out what a "vagina" was, either....(ew...they do WHAT to women ?? Isn't that rape?? Gosh, don't make me sign that, I'll NEVER be vice-president!")
Rush need to go!
What is the Republican Party trying to do? How were they stupid enough to get drawn into a debate about birth control? Hey Republicans -- you've already driven the Hispanics, blacks, atheist, main stream Christians, gays, lesbians, union members, auto workers, college graduates, nurses, firemen, police men, people living in the North East and people living on the west coast out of your party, but I guess that wasn't good enough for you. Now you have to drive women away. Get a clue --- YOU CAN'T WIN ELECTIONS IF THE ONLY PEOPLE VOTING FOR YOU ARE OLD, SOUTHERN, WHITE HAIRED WHITE GUYS!!
LOL, Good one! True, but still a good one! LOL
Yeah ..... that about sums it up. Well, they must've done their homework right ???? I mean these guys are smart enough to know that there's not enough old angry racist white men in this country to win the general election .... don't they???
All I have to say is people should really pull out a copy of the Constitution or google it and READ the REAL first Amendment. I heard Howard Feinman say it's a separation of Church and State. Yeah, the GOVERNMENT shall not impose a state religion.
Obama and the Democrats made this a war against womens' contraception. Obviously, people worked for Catholic institutions for decades and had no problem. Heck, my Wall Street employer has crappy prescription and dental care. Should the government impose them to get my four bottom teeth fix so I can eat? From burning the Qu'ran to imposing a health care law that violates the belief of a religion - I guess this administration has no clue about people.
What surprises me is I haven't seen a Roman Catholic Canon Lawyer being called into the hearings. If the pill's main use is to prevent disease - or in my Peri-menopausal sister's case to stop menstrual bleeding , then it can be used as it's first intent is not birth control. Even abortions are allowed if it's a tubal pregnancy because the pregnancy has no chance of survival and it threatens the mother's health (a priest told me this).
So, the Church isn't telling people what to do in their private lives or in the government... OBAMA IS. He is the one who caused this mess.
If you actually READ the First Amendment, aarpmom; you would realize that if you want to use the false canard that it is a religious liberty issue, it cuts both ways. I cannot be mandated to live by Catholic doctrine. If they are going to provide services, and get Federal funds to do so, they play by the same rules as any other business.
Otherwise, they get out of the business. THAT is their choice. Not making non Catholics live by their doctrine, which I find morally objectionable.
aarpmom, I don't know what religious belief you personally follow but in Catholicism that's one of the areas that they DO try to impose in...contraception.
Given that your screen name is aarpmom I will ask you to think back to the 1970's. Remember the draft for Vietnam? All of those peaceniks wouldn't go to war because they were conscientious objectors. Do you think they should have stopped whining and gone to war as was required of them to be upstanding responsible citizens? Or do you think that it was a load of BS and they didn't want to serve?
The first amendment says:
"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof..."
Thus there are two clauses: Establishment & Free Exercise:
Establishment: This involves the extent to which government can be involved with religion. The courts have had mixed rulings on this issue, but the "Lemon Test" established by the supreme court says that when government does get involved, it should have secular purpose, it should not have the primary effect of advancing nor inhibiting religion, and that it should not involve excessive entanglement.
Free Exercise: This addresses the ability of churches to practice their religion. The Sherbert test says that any attempt by government to restrict religious practices must have a compelling state interest, and be the least restrictive means to do so. Furthermore, the religious belief must be genuine and there must be a substantial burden upon the religious belief.
Based on the cases, it seems to me that there might be a problem with the "excessive entanglement" criteria for the Sherbert test. If religions are accepting money from the federal government, they can't claim that the free exercise clause should be upheld without raising the potential specter of establishment.
I think you're right Michael L.
Churches, by accepting federal dollars, are inviting interference in their normal activities. Taking federal dollars is a voluntary act that is not necessary for the functioning of the church. I believe that if they aren't taking my money they should be able to dictate this to their employees within reason. Within reason means informing new employees that certain costs will not be covered and making reasonable accommodations for existing employees.
Women, it is time to get RUSH (the sexual predator and womanizing deviate) off the airwaves for his comments today. Call for his licence to be pulled permanently. Boycott him and those who support him. Advertisers, stations and anyone else who allows him on the air until he is off the air forever.
Have any of you read the Blunt admendment? It is so vague, that an employer or insurance company can refuse to provide insulin to a diabetic because they find it "morally objectionable" that its made in a blue vat
Let's see. If I wanted to design a strategy to make the Republican party irrelevant in 10 year's time I don't think I could have done a better job than what the Tea-Party and the Republicans have come up with. Frankly, if we really want a viable two-party system we are better off if they loose the bid for the White House, loose control of the House and do not gain the Senate. I believe a Republican party that would put Democrats on the defensive would be one that moves to the middle--giving up the social agenda and embracing the Simpson-Bowels deficit reduction plan. As a life long Democrat who supported Jimmy Carter twice, I would support anyone who took a practical approach to solving problems. Right now, the Republicans are just of form of reality-TV entertainment for me.
The more concentrated the GOP/T crop gets, the more concentrated its inanity/insanity (select the word or words of your choice) would also seem to get. The Grand Inquisitor, the Grand Prevaricator, the Grand Adulterer, the Grand Goofy Granduncle, which of these Grands will the GOP/T choose? The Poor-Aim-Circular-Firing-Sqaud Follies continue to reload but not reset.
To borrow from Clapton, I'm so glad!
People who are unsure, uncertain of their position turn to name calling and snarky remarks, another, just like bullies. Wow, I thought Obama and Michelle taught you all better "No bullying'.
Children learn best by observing. Read this blog; see how supposedly adult people act and then you'll know why we have an increasing problem with bullying. Let's say you're a liberal with an 11 year old. If your child wrote what the majority of liberals write here, what would you do? Would it be ok? If it's ok for you, then your child has observed that calling people vile names and making nasty remarks when people don't agree is ok.
So many children have no decent role models. It's no wonder or society is in the crapper.
dirt, did you really mean that liberals, dems, moderates seem to be the only ones posting here?? Yes children do learn from observing but they also learn from listening to the adults in their lives...reread some of the more conservative posts and get back to me...who was it that just murdered 3 boys??? with a gun stolen from his uncle who was too stupid to secure it? Stay on point.
I am on point, Allison. I wrote about libs because that's what this site is. It doesn't matter what political persuasion people are and I change it to say "all" if that pleases you. Fact remains when the adults of society act like ignorant, nasty, mean-spirited people, what do you think the children will be?
I have no idea what that school shooting has to do with this? Are you saying that 14 yr old was a conservative??????
I'll get behind you dirt, even though I deeply suspect our political philosophies differ. The political discourse is nothing short of shameful. The politicians are the most restrained and that is saying something. The political commentators of every stripe pretty much say whatever they want and stoke fear and hate. (Fear and hate are great ways to get people to vote and to tune in.) That's why no matter which president you're talking about the current/previous president is the worst in history, depending on which side you fall on. It is also a great time to be blissfully ignorant. You can seek out only information which confirms what you believe and tune out information that disagrees with what you believe. Hard lines become harder and everybody is worse off. And our kids must think that this is how you deal with people who disagree with you. Which means that the next generation will be that much worse off.
It's asshat double-speak like this by CAREER politicians like Chucky that makes one reallize we allow fools to run our government. Who are the fools? Those who are elected or those who elect them?
How is making women pay for their own condoms, diaphrams and birth control pills 'legislating' womens uterus's? Women 'legislate' their own uterus's when they make that choice to 'knock some boots'. They need to pay out of their own pockets for that decision and take personal resposibilty for their actions. And ya know what? Guys if you don't was to feed what you might just breed, its your responsibilty to spend the $1.50 for a rubber too.
They DO pay. It is called an insurance premium. Every heard of that?
newday, but Obama said everybody will get it FREE and with no copay
Comrade, try really hard not to be so crude for starter's.
Do you KNOW what an insurance premium is dirt?
I got on birth control to prevent the recurrence of dermoid tumors that threatened my future fertility (the tumor on the right ovary was splitting it in two). If the new owners of my company decide that they are morally against birth control, even tho I pay my premium, I have to pay MORE out of pocket for what is basically hormone therapy? It's my understanding that it doesn't matter WHY you need hormone therapy (lets not use the name contraception, the pill, or birth control, because those are already loaded terms). If the company won't pay for "those prescriptions" then you are SOL. I have to jump through more hoops because my reproductive organs are on the inside?
I get very frustrated when I hear people say this is about "keeping your legs together" or whatever. So married couples that don't want any or any more children should just refrain from having sex? Maybe that is why so many GOPers seem so mad all of the time.
Funny, Janelle. Maybe that IS why they are mad all the time.
I agree with you about the rest, glad you posted, because I believe that people do not see that it can be a medical need.
Next the GOP will be putting up an amendment that only the "missionary position" can be used.
Janelle, your condition and those to whom it is a medical need probably fall into the <5% of women who take it due to a medical condition. The 'loaded' terms are the facts and while the debate is not about contraceptives, it is where it is being politically steered by Prez-0 & the left.
It is strangely insane how it is constantly heard 'the government should stay out of the bedroom', yet it seems like at the same time what is implied is that the government needs to pay one way or the other for what goes on in the bedroom. Pay for the 'hormonal therapy', pay for the abortion, or pay for the child due to someone 'accidentally' getting pregnant.
BTW - I am married; my wife & I do not want more kids and we take the steps necessary so we have no more kids- its called personal responsibility.
Sorry, Comrade, but the number of women I know, personally, who use hormone therapy for a reason OTHER than birth control (or birth control being a secondary benefit) is MOST of them. My roommate is on to prevent her PMDD. My sister went on when she was 14 for her ovarian cysts -- she had two surgeries in a year and a half for the fast-growing cysts (one was grapefruit size when it was found). Others have painful and debilitating periods. Some use it for a plethora of other hormone-related problems.
It is much more normal for the female body to be on birth control as opposed to years and years of periods without a pregnancy. Girls are getting their periods at a younger and younger age due to many environmental factors. Like age 9 (which is how old my sister was when she started). Even going to say, 25, without having a pregnancy is HARD on the female reproductive system. Hormone therapy tells the body it IS pregnant, which is actually OK, physically. There is NO reason to be forced to have a period each and every month for 20-plus years before even thinking about having children. If you have never had to deal with the misery of a bad period, you really don't know what a blessing hormone therapy is!
From the NIH website: "The oral contraceptive pill is one of the most extensively studied medications ever prescribed. The health benefits are numerous and outweigh the risks of their use. Definitive evidence exists for protection against ovarian and endometrial cancers, benign breast disease, pelvic inflammatory disease requiring hospitalization, ectopic pregnancy, and iron-deficiency anemia. It has also been suggested that oral contraceptives may provide a benefit on bone mineral density, uterine fibroids, toxic shock syndrome, and colorectal cancer. Minimal supportive evidence exists for oral contraceptives protecting against the development of functional ovarian cysts and rheumatoid arthritis. Treatment of medical disorders with oral contraceptives is an "off-label" practice. Dysmenorrhea, irregular or excessive bleeding, acne, hirsutism, and endometriosis-associated pain are common targets for oral contraceptive therapy. Most patients are unaware of these health benefits and therapeutic uses of oral contraceptives, and they tend to overestimate their risk. Counseling and education are necessary to help women make well-informed health-care decisions and improve compliance."
Great post by David Walker. Thank you. You have summarized exactly how I feel....the GOP has gone mad. For our congress to be dithering over a contraception amendment is the height of lunacy...any individual who doesn't want to take contraception can do so. But to prevent other women who need to take it, even for medical reasons, is wrong. Mr. Blunt, you are out of order...get back to work on the economy.
Jennifer, it isn't about contraception. It's about religious freedom, the conscience clause. And, this is the best example of why the government has no business in administering health care!
Jennifer, in 2010 the pugbaggers ran on the ticket of jobs, jobs, and jobs. First thing they did was present at least a dozen anti abortion bills, then a BUDGET that had zero $'s in it, and bragged about their phony budget. Every year, by law, President Obama has submitted a budget to Congress. The Senate GOP puts a hold on it, so it never goes to a vote, then they blame Senator Reed for their own misdeeds.
And Murdock's BS station faux noise repeat the blame to the low informed viewers, who then post and cry about senator Reed. LMAO on that.
The GOP is against abortion, and welfare, everyone understands that,but they refuse to let women have birth control pills, which would cut down abortions, and less welfare kids. Go figure, they really are STUPID.
dirt, it is ABSOLUTELY about contraception. Religious freedom, as guaranteed by the Constitution is not affected. That freedom also ensures freedom for evryone. Even those you do not agree with. Why should your religious beliefs be allowed to interfere with my freedom?
The Constitution also specifies that the government shall promote the general welfare. If the government is not administering the general welfare, we are left with narrow theological views of what should and should not be supported. Which goes against religious freedom AND the absence of religion in politics.
You are arguing both sides of the argument here. And losing on all counts.
Gov't, quick! Make me eat kosher! Even though I might be Jewish! The Federal Gov't is yet again over -stepping it's bounds by forcing a private institution to to something.
How is OFFERING any health care that you do not have to use, "forcing" anything? Don't want to use birth control? Don't use it. What you don't get to do is force your views on anyone else...now THAT would be over-stepping bounds, i.e. the Blunt amendment.
Interesting, not one mention of the states forcing women to not only have a non-medical procedure but force women to pay a religious fine by having to pay for the unnecessary and non-medical procedure to be able to access her constitutional right.
So republicans are fine with mandating women to do something unnecessary just don't force a private institution to do something to benefit the people.
When a church enters the business world, by running a hospital for instance, they enter the realm of public and governmental concerns. At that point, they cease to be private. And they are subject to the same laws as every other public business.
Why does the Press continue to refer to the GOP/Tea Party as Conservative. Hell, I'm conservative! These people are straight up Fascist!! There is No other word to describe this bunch to Wimpy little pickers!!
Roy Blunt, what a Moron. He and his band of Ass Hats have nothing better to do than worry about other than Women taking Contraception!!!!!!!!!!!! Not the economy, Not Iran going Nuclear, Not unemployment.
Chuck they continue to refer to the "GOP/Tea Party as Conservative" because the GOP has allowed the T-party to highjack the GOP, so what would you suggest as a reference? Anything else would deny the T-P their place.
Allison, I would strongly suggest the GOP Cabal called themselves The Fascismo Party or Fascis Party. Either would be an accurate description.
Finally, why would the Women connected with the GOP allow themselves to be Trampled on the way Roy Blunt and his right wing buddies are doing. I bet the GOP Women would wear a Burqa if the guys told them to. This is said!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1
Didn't you know, after republicans make women into second class citizens with no rights of her own, the next step is to make women wear a Burqa.
Republicans are doing their best to change America into a religious run state like Iran. Republicans don't want freedom of religion, they want the freedom to push their particular brand of religious beliefs on us all.
Curious as to what it would be like to live in Iran, vote for a republican and find out.
In giving the tea party its place, let it follow its "Tea Party namesakes"; grab their "axes" and just simply go and "AX THE TAX CODE" ?? IF THEY DARE?? But the 1% won't like it.....??
I am so glad this issue has come to light - not because of the issue itself, but because it exposes what is likely the single greatest problem and threat to our nation: Our Politicians.
These people are so dedicated to playing the game of politics they no longer realize why they're playing, just so long as they "win". If it makes an opponent look bad, who cares how many people it hurts? After all, they're only people, what could they possibly know about politics?
This sickens me to my very core. Each and every one of these humanoids should be lined up and shot, then shot once again just to make sure the first round did its job, then stacked up in a communal pile and burned until there is nothing left.
You're call to execute the politicians sickens me to the very core.
Indigo, I agree with your post except for the last sentence...that's what voting is for.
I think it is very fair to say that the rank and file voters in this country have had it with the "royalty" in Washington, who do as they please rather than serve the common will of their constituents, and who will expend every effort to enhance their position whether it benefits the people back home or not. It seems that politicians only "bring things home" to their districts as we head into a political election cycle...the rest of the time, what they actually do in Washington remains a mystery to most Americans.
I just saw at Talking Points Memo that Andrew Breitbart died last night. Just wanted to share, don't know what happened. God bless his family.
Nashville, I just heard on radio it was natural causes.
Hi Nashville, sorry about that, may he walk in Heaven !
Blunt's amendment not only allows an employer to not provide coverage for birth control if they have a "moral objection" to it; they could also conceivably refuse to provide coverage for *any* medical condition to which they have a "moral objection". This could possibly interfere, for instance, with getting coverage for mental conditions and/or depression in the case of Scientology beliefs.
Double, again, it's a good example of why the government should not be administering a health insurance plan. there's no one size fits all!
What about viagra any plans on NOT covering that? They need to stay out of women's personal and very private decisions. I say they need to try dealing with unemployment and the economy those 2 points alone merit something in the way of attention don't they?
Okay, it is everyone's personal right to practice their sexuality in any way that they like, provided they are consenting adults....That being said, I really don't care what you want to do, when you want to do it, and whom you wish to do it with. I don't want to know the details at all. Have a wonderful time, but don't burden me with information that I really don't want to share....So, why should I, or anyone else, regardless of political or religious belief, be compelled to pay for your sexual behaviors. whatever they might be, through the use of tax dollars and federal mandates for coverage, that we will pay for indirectly or directly? As a consenting adult, you are premitted to consume alcoholic beverages. Is the next crusade to make me pay for your drinks? Usually there is a cost to priveleges, and I fail to understand why anyone is forced to spend money so that somebody else can have that privelege....At what point in time, do we have to assume the personal responsibility and prioritize our own resources with our stated goals. If you desire birth control, then it is a high priority in your daily life and should rank as such when you allocate your income. Likewise, just like plastic surgery-an elective procedure-is not covered under insurance, abortion, which is also, by definition as freedom of choice, an elective procedure should be paid for by the person seeking the service. We can finance laser eye surgery and weight loss clinics for people who don't have the money for a procedure that isn't covered by insurance....What makes abortion different? I would like government to stay out of it entirely and truly respect my privacy and rights by not butting in and trying to imply or infer that behaviors are or aren't acceptable by their support or withholding of support. This is not an issue of women's rights, nor an attempt by government to control women's reproduction, but they have done a good job of making everyone feel threatened and have everyone accusing one another of not being respectful of the rights of the individual. Yet while all this is going on, every individual in this country has less and less right to make choices as the mandates pile up. We are being manipulated by code words and catch phrases. Roe Vs Wade stands and has withstood Supreme Court scrutiny....the women's right to choose has been reinforced by our highest courts. We don't need government further involved creating a myriad of laws, regulations which only lessen the freedom, not enhance it.
So I assume these people think that at a religious organization, there is no way that they employ someone that may not 100% follow what the religion practices. Now they can enforce their beliefs on their employees regardless of their own personal beliefs. How is that freedom, when your employer can tell you how you are supposed to act in your own bedroom. Religious freedom should not trump individual rights. Afterall religions are made up of individuals, and I bet most people have their own views and not what is spoon fed to them. At least I hope so, but when I developed my own views it made me realize religion was a bunch of bs. Maybe thats what they are afraid of. The sheeple starting to wake up. If insurance companies have to offer it and is included in the cost, shouldnt it be up to the patient to decide if they want to take advantage of the offer. Isn't that what america is about, being in charge of your own life.
big John, Obama and his group are forcing their values on people who don't agree. So what's the difference? Who's right and who's wrong? Just shows why government has no business in designing a health care plan.
dirt, have you ever traveled to Europe? Canada?
Dirt, they are enforcing values by giving people a choice? Sure if it was, well you can shoot yourself in the head or hang yourself, that is not much of a choice. But being able to choose whether or not you can get contraception through your health care premium that you pay is not forcing anyone to do anything they dont want or believe. Tell me again why religion is against contraception. There are valid reasons women use bc other than to prevent procreation. My wife started to take it due to ovarian cysts. They help regulate the menstrual cycle which prevented additional pain due to prolonged ovulation. She no longer takes it but it wouldve been nice if it was covered to begin with. Freedom is about choices, you dont have to choose what everyone else does but you can't choose for other people either. And I might agree that the government may not be the right group to design a healthcare plan. But who is then? The insurance companies, local politicians, lawyers? Why not the healthcare industry like doctors and nurses, but what do you know they were recomending a lot of the changes enacted.
aarpmom-The second half of your post's tells the story, but ending it with Obama is WRONG. The President worked out a compromise, the exemption for the Church is there. We are talking business's Hospitals and Universities that employee people of all faiths. How does just knowing that contraception is offered by the insurance co, affect religious freedom in anyway. There are over a dozen states, that already have these laws on the books, and look the church is still standing. This is purely political. And guess what years ago a Priest told my Mother, that my Father had to get his vasectomy reversed, because it was a sin.
I'll settle this issue for everyone:
Right wingers, if you don't believe in birth control, don't use it. Don't be concerned what other people do if they're not hurting you.
Left wingers, you are free to use birth control but you need to pay for it yourself. Don't ask the government to provide it.
And if you choose not to use it (whether it be for religious or financial reasons) and get pregnant, don't expect assistance from the government.
There, done.
ctviking,
The problem is is that those who probably need birth control the most (i.e. teenagers, low income people) can't afford to purchase birth control. Thus, there are more abortions, foster children, low income children, and more social programs needed to help in all of the above. This is why many believe that birth control should be available for little to no cost.
THANK YOU!!! You sound like a reasonable person, you should cast a vote for LIBERTY. RON PAUL 2012!
@ Vipp Well then the low-income/teenagers can choose to not get knocked up. Novel concept. And trust me, if financial assistance was provided for the reckless, teenagers and the low-income wouldn't have children they can't afford.
*wasn't
People do pay for contraceptive and all medication coverage ctviking, it's called an insurance premium. You've heard of that, right?
exactly, ct!
Conservative,
Yes...in a fantasy world teenagers wouldn't be having sex recklessly....however, in the real world we are having an issue with teen pregnancy and one thing we can do is help the matter by at least providing some protection.
Ask Palin just how well abstention worked for her family. If your republican hero can't stop teen pregnancy in her own family, just how is passing a law going to do it?
I swear republicans get stupider and stupider, really, the answer to abortions is to get rid of birth control?
I'd laugh this Senate vote off as another misguided attempt at pandering except that when you consider the far-reaching effects it really pretty scary. So now the Republicans want to mandate religious discrimination in the employment relationship? So what employee benefits are next? If an employer believes - like say Rick Santorum - that people shouldn't procreate out-of-wedlock, can they deny dependent medical coverge to children born out-of-wedlock? Or heaven forbid, deny coverage for Viagra to single men? Or fire someone for getting divorced, another Catholic no-no. Or for eating meat on Fridays during Lent? Where does the intrusion on personal liberty end?
All this bunk about religious freedom is just plain crazy. Practicing religion, or not practicing religion, is a personal matter. Where do these bloated walking egos get off once again telling people how to live their lives - and that goes for the politicians as well as any employer who goes along with this nonsense. When the job market improves - and it will - employers who base their benefit structure on their personal moral/religious code will have a very hard time finding rational people who want to work for them. And oh by the way, since corporations are supposedly people, who gets to define the moral/religious code? Do the boards of directors take a religious poll and the majority religion wins? What a bunch of bigotted idiots the Senate Republicans are.
Joan, look at it this way, they aren't talking about unemployment, the economy, the ongoing problem of foreclosures, etc. These T-baggers/ultra right winger's are slowly talking women voter's right into NOT re electing them.
Joan, so you're saying it's ok for Obama to force his beliefs on others by making them pay for something they don't believe in. if that's the case, what's next? The government is already trying to tell us what to eat. So if they decide pork is the "other white meat" and everybody has to make it available, how's that going to fly in a Jewish or Muslim facility?
I'm not against contraception; I've used it. But, I paid for it myself. And, it the scares the hell out of me that obama can arbitrarily decide that it will be free for all and the insurance companies will pay for it? Does it not scare you ? that's how dictators operate. It's another step toward govt taking over all areas of our lives.
First, I don't know why this is an issue about the President, since this coverage has been mandated by State plans for a while, including NJ. Does that mean Gov Christie is a dictator? All this talk about the government telling us what to do and the incendiary language is overblown to the point of being ridiculous and sets up a false argument. Last time I was in the grocery store there weren't any government overlords commenting on everything I picked up. If I really believed that the President panned on making himself a dictator, contrary to any real evidence of such, I'd have to seek professional help. Which in NJ under the auspices of the dictatorial Chris Christie, is covered.
Employers have more direct and indirect influence over people's day-to-day lives than any government from the local level on up. The President in this case is saying the option should be available as part of routine health care. Giving that option connotes more about freedom than the idea that someone can make an arbitrary rule denying me that coverage base don their view of morality does. when my ability to make personal choices is taken away it doesn't matter to me who is doing it - it stinks all the same. And last I remember, I paid for my coverage, including prescription drugs, so right back at you on the cost issue.
dirt, so many fallacies, so little time...
Obama is not forcing his beliefs on anyone. It is not a questionof birth control being free, it is a questionof it being available. And just because it is available does not force you to use it. Don't believe in it, don't use it. You do have some self control, right?
Forcing Muslims and Jews to eat pork?! Really?! The phrase you quote is a particular business council running an advertisement. Again, not forcing but merely offering. Again, do you have self contol?
I don't believe as you do, but I will allow you your freedoms. In return you will allow me mine.
Joan - the 'other white meat' argument is a Faux talking point and has been used by more than one poster on this site. Only an idiot would compare food to medical coverage. Likewise, we are the only 1st world country with 3rd world access to medical care coverage. All other 1st world governments grant citizens access to medical coverage and insurance. It is odd that so many on the right prefer death and bankruptcy over health care coverage.
Remember when you couldn't buy contraceptives in some states (NY, MA, etc.)--it was against the law? Remember when pregnancy termination was illegal in the U.S. and, if you had the money, you could go to Mexico, Canada, Europe to end a pregnancy? Remember when, if you did not have the money, there were those who would terminate the pregnancy with surgical instruments which may or may not have been clean or other instruments, such as a wire coat hanger, were used, many times in unsanitary conditions? Remember when women were dying from unsafely performed terminations? If you don't, you're not in your senior years. Terminating a pregnancy is no one's decision except the person who is pregnant and her health provider.
If recollection serves me correctly, I remember reading, some time ago, that the 'Right to Life' people not only want to forbid pregnancy termination under any circumstances; their next step is to forbid any form of artificial means of contraception. In other words, lets make women baby-producing machines, again.
There are those who would take us back to the early 20th century--or the middle ages (14th & 15th centuries) for their own religious beliefs. And make no mistake: this is strictly a religious issue being forced into the political arena by a small group who want to make the most noise.
Contraception, whether the pill, an IUD, a condum (male or female) or a vasectomy, is the decision of the individual(s) involved. Who pays for it should be based on the type of insurance--it should be available to anyone who wants it and should be included, possibly as an add-on to the health insurance policy--at a reasonable cost ($100/per month additional is not reasonable!). Oh yes, how is it that products like Viagra were quickly covered under health insurance (which was strictly for ED in the beginning but became more commonly used to enhance a man's sexual virility), but the pill or the IUD were not covered by insurance? Seems to me that the male population of this country wants their fun, but at the expense of the female population (and to hell with the consequences--not my problem!!!!).
This is a very difficult topic. Contraception should be available--under health insurance--to anyone who wishes to take advantage of this option. If it goes against your religious beliefs (and you practice them), then you don't use the option. THE CHOICE IS UP TO THE INDIVIDUAL!!!!
I could say much more but I think I've probably been long-winded enough as it is. One more thing: it only takes a moment to read what you have written before posting it. Spelling, grammar, punctuation should be correct; after all, you're putting this out for the whole world to see. If it is not written in proper English, what does that say about you and your education?
Pardon me for ducking the subject of political stupidity, but another issue became apparent as I read the article.
Bad writing.
"Washington at its cynically worst", when did adverbs become appropriate in this context?
Or "moved with light speed", might be 'moved with lightning speed', or 'moved at light speed'.
And while I'm at it, I detest the misuse of 'hone'. You can home in on a target, or you can hone skills, but 'honing in' just makes no sense at all.
Media hacks please take note.
john, you and I are of a different generation, they stopped teaching longhand over 30 years ago and began to teach children how to "block print" and called long hand, go figure. I can't stand it either.
I never succeded in English but i think i can still make a point.
.
Birthcontrol, guns, god, and gays, all side issues. The politicians use them to distract us from the looting and stealing. We argue amongst ourselves while they divide and conquer.
Last time I checked, personal freedoms aren't "side issues"....
Conservative,
Do you believe gays should be able to marry? Just wondering...not implying anthing.
ConservativeNotRepublican-2806513
Yes. Employers who follow the dictates of the Catholic bishops should be free to deny female employees insurance for contraception. And employers who are members of the Christian Science Church must be free to deny their employees, male and female, ALL medical insurance since Christian Science teaches that prayer is the only appropriate cure for any disease. Ain't personal freedom grand??
The freedoms protected in the Bill of Rights are individual freedoms, not corporate freedom to discriminate.
US Catholic Bishops don't wish to provide birth control for employees who work at a church owned business. The Jehovah's Witnesses believe the Bible prohibits Christians from ingesting blood by any means, including blood transfusions. Should Jehovah's Witnesses be able to similarly to exclude blood transfusions from employee health insurance?
The beliefs of one religion are frequently just nonsense and and hooey to another. The Catholic Bishops are correct that including birth control in employee health insurance is about religious freedom. They just have it backwards. It is about the freedom for all employees, no matter who they work for, to be free from their employer's religion.
Dale, haven't you heard? ".Corporations ARE people, my friend." - Mitt Romney
Any employer subject to the Minimum Wage laws of this country are subject to the Healthcare Laws.
This is the most ridiculous 'misfire' Democrats could have possibly hoped for. Keep beating this horse, Pubbies,...It is a LOSER for you.