I still believe Repubs want "Obamacare" as an issue in the next election.

[kentuck]

They want to re-live the election of 2010 when they won an historic number of seats in the House. They believe they can do it again.

That is why they would like to "delay" it until this time next year. It would be ripe for picking once again. That would be a mistake for the Democrats to agree to a delay of one year. It would almost guarantee that they would not take back the House.

Republicans are playing politics. Unfortunately, it is with people's lives and healthcare but they really don't give a shit about that. This is all about politics, in my opinion.

[arcane1]

1. "Fear of Obamacare" in the next election. Once it's in effect, they know they'll lose.

[Arkansas Granny]

2. Oh, yeah. Healthcare, immigration and abortion. It would be a trifecta for them!

[kentuck]

3. Yep!

Hardball.

[Skidmore]

4. Ya think?

On Friday, Rep. Radel said that outright on MSNBC.

The left really showed 'em when staying home during the 2010 election when redistricting was being done. Elections do matter.

[bluestate10]

9. Democrats should NEVER sit out a fucking election where the year ends in zero.

It's absolutely fucking stupid to do so.

[Arkansas Granny]

12. Or when the year ends in 2, 4, 6 or 8, for that matter.

[Blue Idaho]

5. It is the only keystone they have for an election platform.

They will fight over immigration, but they know they can't win an election with white only votes. They will fight over abortion, but they know they can't win an election with male only votes. The ACA hits the sweet spot of Big Government paranoia. Without it they are screwed and they know it.

[duffyduff]

6. Since both parties are owned lock, stock, and barrel by the health insurance industry,

as far as I am concerned the whole thing is a bunch of kabuki theater bullshit.

People are going to get screwed no matter what happens because our politicians don't work for us anymore (with rare exceptions).

[bluestate10]

8. So, do nothing? nt

[questionseverything]

11. no1 is looking at the costs

for a couple in their 50s with 1 child,75 grand annual income in illinois,looks like smokers would pay 33% a year for healthcare

same couple non smoking 26% of income

that same family would already be paying 20 % in ss and income taxes

so does every1 but me think that is affordable?

[kentuck]

13. That would definitely be too much (33%)

Do you have a link for that?

[questionseverything]

15. i used a couple different

aca calculators that were posted here at du and the 12,700 out of pocket number...which honestly i am not sure is a yearly limit (like a traditional cap)

even the 26% is out of reach for my house

be back later

ty 4 ur response

[questionseverything]

20. ...

http://kff.org/interactive/subsidy-calculator/

[bluestate10]

7. I agree with your assessment. nt

[MineralMan]

10. For some Republicans in Congress, that might be a working strategy for re-election.

For others, though, it could be the thing that turns their district over to the Democratic candidate. Each Congress member knows how it will go in his or her district. The Teabaggers are from districts that will reward them for their obstructionism. For the rest of the Republicans, 2014 will be a crapshoot over this issue.

We need to drive this message home in every congressional district where a Republican is the incumbent: "Representative {name} voted more than 40 times to deny you access to affordable healthcare. Vote for {name of Democrat}!"

We need to make this the battle cry for the 2014 elections. We won't win every district, but we can win enough districts to take majority control of the House of Representatives. Strong Democratic GOTV efforts and conversion of Republican and independent voters affected by this obstructionism will do the job.

GOTV 2014!

[truebluegreen]

14. Sure. It is all about politics and power.

If the program is rolled out this year, there will be time for de-bugging, for people to learn about it and get to like it. In the eyes of Republicans, it could an Apocalypse for the Zombies.

A terrible thing...

[Coyotl]

16. Actually, they fear Obamacare and need to derail it to avoid getting smeared in 2014.

It is not an issue they can win on, it is the issue they are going to lose on either way this plays out.

[kentuck]

17. They won 62 seats in 2010...

They think it was because of the Republican hatred for Obamacare. They got their voters out and we did not.

[Coyotl]

19. How many of those were fixed elections?

We are very naive if we think for one minute that they are not stealing elections every time.

[Historic NY]

18. Well they didn't win the Presidential re-election and I'd say thats a mandate for ...

Obamacare.