Latest GOP efforts to repeal Obamacare: Texas Senator proposes to shut down Government – and Bully O

[NHLabor]

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Written by Matt Murray and Liz Iaocubbci


Is anyone keeping track anymore?

These days, it seems that House Republicans vote to delay or repeal the Affordable Care Act – more commonly known as “Obamacare” – on a weekly basis. I think it’s been 37 times, so far, but I may have missed one or two.

These votes aren’t just an exercise in political theater – they are a waste of taxpayer dollars. Estimates of exactly how much all these votes have cost taxpayers vary, from $1.45 million to $1.75 million per vote. But multiply either number by 37 or 38… and gosh, it starts adding up. (Can’t you think of a few other ways the federal government could spend $50+ million?)

Meanwhile, all around America, “Health Insurers Threaten To Increase Premiums, Even As Profits Soar.” Insurance companies’ overhead is estimated to account for 30 cents of every dollar spent on healthcare. (Obamacare, you may remember, includes provisions that limit insurance companies’ profits.)

And if Obamacare is repealed, everyone will expect workers to foot the cost of rising insurance premiums – and do you remember how fast those premiums were rising, before Obamacare was passed?

But as of today, it looks like the Crusade to Repeal Obamacare is moving into the Senate. Today, Texas Tea Party Senator Ted Cruz started making headlines.

Cruz is positioning himself for a possible run for President, and he wants to rally his base by taking an extreme stand on Obamacare. His plan is to either repeal Obamacare or shut down the government.

“The Texan’s strategy is simple enough. Congress needs to pass a so-called continuing resolution to keep the government running by Sept. 30. Republicans, Cruz argues, should refuse to vote for the measure unless it prohibits spending any federal money on the President’s signature legislative accomplishment. If the stance sparks a shutdown, so be it.”

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[RGinNJ]

1. Same old shit.

Isn't Cruz from Canada?

[Scurrilous]

2. Thanks.

K & R

[meow2u3]

3. Ted Cruz is crossing the line into downright extortion, re: the ACA

Before Obamacare was passed, health insurance companies were running what amounts to a racket. Rescinding coverage when someone gets sick, even if the insurance premiums are up to date, while still forcing said person to continue paying premiums; ridiculously low lifetime limits on coverage; charging women twice the amount as men for the same coverage; going out of their way to find a way to deny medically legitimate claims; etc, is what Republicans want to go back to when they're demanding a repeal of Obamacare.

He's effectively threatening the Obama administration with a government shutdown unless PBO complies with Cruz' demands to defund the ACA. This behavior crosses the line from political dirty tricks to outright criminal behavior, extortion to be exact, and if I were the President, I'd order the Justice Department to initiate a criminal indictment against the teabaggers who choose to resort to extortionist tactics to get their way.

[arely staircase]

6. the rw establishment wing of the party knows better

the rw crazy side just wants to burn the barn down for their glorious restoration.

[Cha]

4. Cruz needs to down. An extreme asshole with delusions

of grandeur.

[Mr. David]

5. Cruz needs a warrant for his arrest -

For impersonating a U.S. Senator.

Also impersonating a human being.