Why Can't Bill Supporters Say "Affordable"?
Like Nate, I appreciate having a discussion based in facts and details. And Nate says several of the cost estimates I used to show why the health care bill is unaffordable for middle class families "are on the high side." I appreciate him checking…
No More Mr. Perfect Guy; Colts Take A Dive
The indianapolis Colts are wimpy ass chumps. Say what you will about Brett Favre, he wouldn't be caught dead pulling punches and taking a dive like the Colts did.
"Affordable" Health Care
I've been seeing a bunch of single, relatively young men with comfortable incomes argue that the health care reform is "affordable." But seeing Nate argue that the high costs the middle class is still being asked to bear under the Senate health…
NYC DA Morgenthau Blasts Feds On Financial Investigations
New York City District Attorney Robert Morgenthau lands a broadside Morgenthau on the Federal oversight and investigation of financial fraud. Morgenthau's criticism has important implications in light of the recent travails on Wall Street, including powerful allegations currently lodged against Goldman Sachs.
Why Did Obama Kill The Dawn Johnsen Nomination?
Dawn Johnsen's nomination to lead the Office of Legal Counsel at DOJ has been killed in the Senate. It is over unless Obama renominated her and the process starts anew. How did it come to this? The only rational explanation is that it is exactly what Barack Obama wanted; Johnsen's nomination was never more than another Obama political trick on his liberal electoral base.
Christmas Nuts & Bolts
Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, and all the other joyous holiday greetings from both me and Marcy. We have said it before, but not enough; you guys are the finest group of commenters and readers in the world. And we love you and thank you.…
34 Obama Nominees Not Named Dawn Johnsen Confirmed
Barack Obama first announced his intention to nominate Dawn Johnsen, a distinguished lawyer, professor of Constitutional law and former AAG in the Office of Legal Counsel for the DOJ, to be his head of the supremely critical Office of Legal Counsel nearly one year ago on January 5, 2009. Ms. Johnsen is imminently qualified and one of the best selections Obama has made for any position in his administration. In spite of that fact, Barack Obama and Harry Reid have callously and shamelessly left her twisting in the wind and have refused to put any emphasis or effort in forcing her confirmation. It is one of the greatest unpublicized scandals of an increasingly feckless Obama Presidency.
Peace on Earth Air Strike in Yemen
What Siun dubbed our Fourth War continues to heat up, this time with air strikes that reportedly kill Anwar al-Awlaki, the cleric who communicated with Army psychiatrist Major Nidal Hasan via email in the months leading up to the Fort Hood killings.
Backed…
The DOMA Decisions In The 9th Circuit
The Obama Administration, which ran hard on relief to the GLBT community and protection and equal protection of their rights, has made a practice of hiding behind the DOMA, which they once scorned when seeking to be elected, to deny equal protection. Prominent judges, from both sides of the spectrum, are calling foul.
Obama's Infirm Lump Of Coal Judicial Policy
Lost in the blizzard like white out of other concerns by the push by the Obama Administration and Congress to handwrap a huge present for the rapacious healthcare insurance industry, has been intelligent coverage of breakdown of Barack Obama's naive and feckless judicial policy and the emerging harm to the US Federal Court system it portends.
Road Trip Open Thread
Mr. EW and I decided today was the day to drive to Philadelphia. I hear they have Elves there...
If bmaz has recovered from watching his beloved Old Man River North, Brett Favre, get shellacked the other night, he's likely to come in and post…
Ezra: The Senate Plan Is Just Like What Obama Campaigned On--Except for All the Ways It's Not
This is pretty funny. Ezra has a post up arguing that, the Senate health care bill "is very close to the health-care bill that Barack Obama promised."
And then he proceeds to list 8 ways that the bill is not like what Obama campaigned on.
And…
Brainstorming Future American Neo-Feudalism Today
See if this sounds familiar to you:
...governments and global elites pursue short-term economic gain above all else. Their aggressive focus on growth, efficient markets, and robust trade eventually causes financial volatility as a result of…
Trash Talk - Vaya Con Dios Uno Cinco
There seems to be a disturbing trend among professional athletes involving domestic disturbances and resulting auto incidents. The issue is particularly problematic for big cats, starting with a Tiger and now having consumed a Bengal. As you…
The Cadillac-turned-Chevy Wage Increase Myth
In employer surveys, between 9 and 16% said they would not pass on any savings to employees--a key assumption behind the Senate's Cadillac tax. So not only will that tax make employees' health care worse, but the tax won't raise the revenue the government claims it will.
David Plouffe Points to Events in November to Prove "Base" Is Happy in December
David Plouffe points to the enthusiasm of attendees at book events that happened before Obama's capitulation to argue that Obama's base doesn't care about the capitulation.
Colbert on the Spyvate Sector
Why is it that a couple of comedians are our best political commentators?
21% of People in MA Still Forgo Necessary Medical Care
I tweeted this factoid yesterday, but wanted to post on it too, because I think it illustrates the difference bewteen health insurance and health care.
A number of supporters of the current Senate bill have been pointing to RomneyCare to argue…
Tenet Refuses to Deny CIA Uses Journalism Cover--and Infiltrating American Groups
There's a whole lot more that came out in today's document dump while I've been fighting about health care. Here are the set released in response to an EFF FOIA. As a number of outlets have reported, that set includes evidence the government…
The MyBarackObamaTax
I did a post when Max Baucus first released the Senate Finance Committee bill, showing that for a middle class family of four, a significant medical event would leave the family with just $7,215 to pay transportation, education/child care, utilities,…
