Charlie Bass channels his inner Sarah Palin

He should also be asked (0.00 / 0)

if he supports the GOP sponsored Seniors' Health Care Bill of Rights. The first item on Steele's list seems to be an ironic twist to previous GOP positions on Medicare.

First, we need to protect Medicare and not cut it in the name of "health-insurance reform." As the president frequently, and correctly, points out, Medicare will go deep into the red in less than a decade. But he and congressional Democrats are planning to raid, not aid, Medicare by cutting $500 billion from the program to fund his health-care experiment. The president also plans to cut hospital payments and Medicare Advantage, all of which will mean fewer treatment options for seniors. These types of "reforms" don't make sense for the future of an already troubled federal program or for the services it provides that millions of Americans count on.

It does come from the national party, but I would be curious to know his thoughts on this pressing matter. In other words. If he don't want to eliminate waste in Medicare just say so.  

Heck, they've littered this debate with so many strawmen and red herrings I can't figure out if they actually have a position other than, Just Say No.

"What you need is sustained outrage...there's far too much unthinking respect given to authority." -- Molly Ivins  

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by: The Grand Panjandrum @ Wed Sep 09, 2009 at 10:02:39 AM CDT

Sarah is certainly going against her party chair.. (0.00 / 0)

... if he is saying they will safeguard Medicare.

She wants to eliminate Medicare and replace it with vouchers that seniors can use to buy their own coverage. This idea is from the Cato Institute, and is an example of the belief that free markets are the solution to everything. To me it sounds like a prescription for conning seniors out of their health insurance.

(A personal anecdote on senior insurance scams: my mother-in-law just had a hip replacement. She had purchased one of the private gap insurance plans that theoretically pay the deductibles that Medicare doesn't cover. Her out-of-pocket bills so far are a couple of thousand and rising. The insurance company agreed to pay $18.)

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by: Michael Marsh @ Wed Sep 09, 2009 at 10:28:35 AM CDT

[ Parent ]

The conservative strategy seems to be based on the reality (0.00 / 0)

that while their followers are ostensibly committed to following the party line--i.e. being obedient--they're not actually going to do what they're told, or anything at all, so it doesn't matter how outrageous the instructions are.

I haven't quite figured it out, but being an organization man seems to be a ticket to entirely guilt-free licentious behavior.  The organization assumes responsibility that it doesn't have the ability to enforce and the membership takes that as an opportunity to behave without any restraints.  It's like a dog bringing a leash to his owner and then running off before his collar is attached.

What's scary is that a dog's behavior tends to be more predictable than a Republican's, unless they're running in a pack.

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by: hannah @ Wed Sep 09, 2009 at 16:06:46 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Full of ducklings and puppies, and signifying ill. (4.00 / 4)

Charlie:

   We should allow any plan legally approved in one state to be offered in all other states

Translation:

   We should abolish the office of Insurance Commissioner in 49 states and the District of Columbia.  All insurance companies will now be legally obliged to follow the standards of the Insurance Commissioner of Alabama.

Guinta said the same thing at his health care thing, putting it in terms of customer choice: Why not allow individuals and companies to purchase insurance policies across state lines?

Heck, why stop at state lines?  Make it legal to purchase insurance policies across national lines.  I'm sure the insurance regulations (well, more guidelines, really) of the Cayman Islands are quite sufficient.

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by: Tim C. @ Wed Sep 09, 2009 at 10:49:15 AM CDT

Hey, no fair ! (0.00 / 0)

The Republicans are the Great Defenders of the Tenth Amendment! They believe in States' Rights! They like government to be closest to the people!

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by: elwood @ Wed Sep 09, 2009 at 18:41:00 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

shameless plug (4.00 / 1)

I will take advantage of this opportunity to plug my new line of "Health Care for Most!" Cafepress.com items.  

These patriotic T shirts, stickers and other items will allow you to show your proud acquiessance to the status quo.

For more info see:

http://www.cafepress.com/Healt...

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by: TimothyHorrigan @ Wed Sep 09, 2009 at 14:21:51 PM CDT