It’s Over
By Wyatt Earp | December 19, 2009
Do you want the federal government to keep their grubby little paws out of your health care choices? Are you one of the millions of Americans who want nothing to do with ObamaCare? Do you hope that the Senate bill is handily deafeated?
Well, that’s too bad. It’s over. Like Mary Landrieu, Senator Ben Nelson’s vote was bought and paid for by the Democrats. Hot Air breaks the bad news:
Every man has his price, apparently, and Harry Reid found Ben Nelson’s price for a cloture vote on ObamaCare. Nelson announced this morning that the language in the manager’s amendment on abortion will be enough to secure his support for Reid’s compromise bill, but Think Progress reports on what really sold Nelson — or bought Nelson, depending on your perspective.
Oh, he was bought. Bought like a “Lewinsky” from Paris Hilton.
Under the current merged legislation (the version unveiled on November 18th), the federal government fully finances care for the expanded population for two years and increases its matching funds (known as FMAP) thereafter. Page 98 of the managers amendment specifically identifies Nebraska for higher federal matching funds, fully funding its expansion for an additional year:
‘‘(3) Notwithstanding subsection (b) and paragraphs (1) and (2) of this subsection, the Federal medical assistance percentage otherwise determined under subsection (b) with respect to all or any portion of a fiscal year that begins on or after January 1, 2017, for the State of Nebraska, with respect to amounts expended for newly eligible individuals described in subclause (VIII) of section 1902(a)(10)(A)(i), shall be determined as provided for under subsection (y)(1) (A) (notwithstanding the period provided for in such paragraph)
That will be worth at least hundreds of millions of dollars in federal cash for Nebraska … for the first three years. After that, Nebraskans get as screwed as the rest of the country. And what about that abortion coverage? Nelson caved.
Hope. Change. Socialized medicine.
So much for principled “Blue Dog” Democrats, huh? The highlights? Medicare will be cut. (How’s that perennial Democrat vote working for you, seniors?) Some federal funding will go toward abortions, unless the individual states pass a law prohibiting it. Insurance premiums will skyrocket to cover their losses and taxes will go through the roof. I would like to think the voters in Nebraska would severely punish Nelson at the polls for this, but the realist in me knows better.
The final vote is to be held on Christmas Eve, but this vote was its only remaining obstacle. It’ll pass, and it will be a death knell for freedom in this country. As many pundits have already pointed out, government programs are never repealed. They never go away.
Game over, man. Game over.
Topics: Politics | 11 Comments »
December 19th, 2009 at 3:30 pm
Yeah, the game IS over… We HAVE to vote ALL these asshats out over the next two elections!!!
December 19th, 2009 at 5:47 pm
Pardon the up and coming language….
CRAP! I knew it was coming, but I was still praying it wouldn’t.
CRAP, CRAP, CRAP!
December 19th, 2009 at 9:15 pm
they’re both whores… money to a politician, is like crack to an addict.
December 19th, 2009 at 9:16 pm
Excuse me…. I am going to be sick.
December 19th, 2009 at 9:17 pm
“Ninety percent of the politicians give the other ten percent a bad reputation” – Henry Kissinger
December 19th, 2009 at 9:26 pm
Old NFO – I am voting against every single incumbent. Every one.
Kim – I agree wholeheartedly.
Smite – And these ones love their crack.
Deanna – ObamaCare will cure what ails ya!
December 20th, 2009 at 1:11 am
Well……….
So much for:
“Of the PEOPLE, By the PEOPLE and For the People”.
But then, I guess “we” did elect these pricks.
Welcome to the USSA kamerades.
December 20th, 2009 at 8:21 am
I was just listening to KYW and nearly vomited on my keyboard when that turd Specter started to speak. Sure, Arlen is going to be sent packing, but how do you get rid of sterling politicians like Bob Brady? He voted for amnesty for illegal aliens, cap and trade, Obamacare and voted against defunding ACORN. He’s a Democrat hack all the way. I think he ran unopposed last time so what do you threaten him with? Stern looks?
December 20th, 2009 at 8:27 am
RAPH – Yeah, that 52% will change their tune really soon.
Crankipants – The Philadelphia GOP is dead and buried. And look at the state of this city – it’s Detroit East. You get what you vote for, Dems!
December 21st, 2009 at 3:16 pm
Excuse me…. I am going to be sick.
Better get over your sickness before the President signs the bill or you might die for lack of care.
December 22nd, 2009 at 12:52 pm
Miriam – It’s going to be a very dark time in this country.