Map of life expectancy at birth from Global Education Project.

Monday, July 24, 2017

Sorry for my absence . . .

The crisis we face is simultaneously so terrifying and so bizarre that I haven't been able to respond properly. Writing about the quotidian issues that interest me seems inadequate, while others who have a much larger audience are saying what I might say about our larger problems. But I've decided I'll keep on blogging, for my own sake if not for yours.

So, the Senate Majority Leader is insisting that his members vote tomorrow on a bill that will radically re-make 15% of the U.S. economy, without telling them anything about what's in it. Does that seem strange? Here's former Republican Senator David Durenberger, who thinks, yes that is rather odd:

This week, the Senate once again is set to vote on a health care bill that will radically change how people get coverage and who can afford their care. But unlike normal times, Senators, you are being asked to approve a Motion to Proceed to a vote:
  • Without knowing what the non-partisan Congressional Budget Office will say about the impact of major amendments and the final bill on coverage and premiums.
  • With full knowledge that the Senate parliamentarian, who rules on what can and can't be allowed in a budget bill, has said that the Senate must remove provisions intended to prevent an insurance market death spiral of sicker patients driving up costs.
  • Without knowing the details of the secret state Medicaid waivers the Trump administration insists will make the bill work.
  • Without knowing how your own state budget will be impacted.
  • Without knowing how you will defend the provisions you will only learn about later, including the payoffs and other things that will be sneaked into the bill at the last minute.
  • Without even knowing which bill you are being asked to vote on, what the defining amendments will be and how much time you will have when being pressed for a final vote you’ll be stuck with. Forever.
So why is McConnell doing this? For the past seven years, the Republican party has been obsessively demanding the repeal of the Affordable Care Act. They told their voters they were supposed to hate it, without explaining why they were supposed to hate it. (No, there aren't any death panels and the government didn't take over health care.) As it turns out, the only reason to hate it was that it was signed by a president with an African father. There actually isn't any way to repeal it without hurting tens of millions of people, but the Republican leadership is determined to do it anyway because if they don't, they'll face challenges in the next primary. So they have to keep what they are doing a secret for as long as they can.  Call your Senators' offices. Demand that they vote NO.

7 comments:

Anonymous said...

As it turns out, the only reason to hate it was that it was signed by a president with an African father.

Up until this part, you appeared to know what you were talking about.

Smith said...

"Anonymous" (above) stays "anonymous" because he is an ignorant coward. Not worth reading or listening to. Blind as can be, and filled with anger. I suggest all ignore him as well. Nothing but a biased misanthrope.

Smith said...

PS: At least "Anonymous" agreed with most of what Cervantes said! But then, as usual, he veered off into taking snide potshots. A shame that he is so unhappy :-)

I won't be reading or responding to any more of his comments. I shall happily ignore them because they ain't worth looking at.

Anonymous said...

I think it's more likely that people didn't like ObamaCare for a myriad of economic and philosophical reasons.

Instead, it's always 'racism', 'racism', racism.

This is the bullshit that makes that argument weak. It's as if you didn't see your deductibles and premiums skyrocket when you were promised your costs would be $2,500 lower. It's as if you didn't mind giving up your individual liberty to choose.

It's as if, as a man, you really didn't need to insure yourself against pregnancy.

Nope....must be because it was signed by a black man. Yeah....that must be it!!

Anonymous said...


http://money.cnn.com/2017/01/05/news/economy/why-people-hate-obamacare/index.html

Cervantes said...

"It's as if, as a man, you really didn't need to insure yourself against pregnancy."

This is so stupid I can't even respond to it. In your view, fathers have no responsibility?

Anonymous said...


Shorter Strawman:

"If you don't want to insure yourself against an event that will never, ever happen, then you must be a bad person."



But this is really getting off the objection I have of your post and that is how you reach into the minds of half of the country with your second sight and declare their opposition to ACA was all just racism.

Your facts I like. Your characterizations of motive of others...not so much.