House Republicans’ Economic Agenda Targets Middle Class

[okaawhatever]

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2014-01-31/house-republicans-economic-agenda-targets-middle-class.html

U.S. House Republican leaders are preparing an economic agenda that includes energy proposals aimed at lowering utility bills and countering President Barack Obama’s focus on income inequality, according to a document obtained by Bloomberg News.

The agenda includes voting on an alternative measure to Obama’s health-care law and re-authorizing a funding program for career and technical education. The framework is designed to reach middle-class voters whose wages have remained stagnant even as the U.S. economy improve.

The broad outline was distributed to Republicans yesterday at a private meeting in Cambridge, Maryland, where lawmakers are concluding a three-day policy retreat today. Republicans, largely blamed for the 16-day partial government shutdown in October, want their positions to be seen as an alternative to those of Obama and the Democrats.

Continued at LInk:


The reality of the plan is that it's a giveaway to corporations disguised as assistance for the middle class.

Their Plan:
Help with heating costs: Just like Bush's Medicare part D bill. At a time when the energy industry needs to be scrutinized for manipulating prices by exporting gas and creating shortages, the government will go into debt to pay the inflated bills and keep the taxpayers from questioning the industry. Republicans plan is basically, offer the taxpayers a shiny object. To add insult to injury, the lawmakers will be pushing for this in March, so it will have as little impact as possible while still giving them the opportunity to use it in campaign speeches.

Offer alternatives to Obamacare: Their plan includes "changes to medical liability laws" meaning, the insured will no longer be able to sue doctors/hospitals/big pharma and if they do the awards will be capped at very small amounts. Same lawsuit reform b.s. we've seen for years from the GOP.
"High-risk pools" for pre-existing conditions. Again, ensuring profits for corporations/insurance companies. High-risk pools are another word for government sponsored profit. Put the people who would actually cost insurance companies money into government assisted pools.
40 Hour work week rules. Basically change the 30 hour work week rule on businesses to a 40 hour work week rule. That way businesses can employ you 38 hours per week and avoid insurance.

The bills would “limit the negative impact regulations can have on wages,” according to the document.
Do I even need to say this is about corporate profits and less worker protection?

One amusing comment on the Bloomberg Website: House Republicans Economic Agenda Targets Middle Class
As in, they're putting a bulls eye on it and are priming their rifles.

[B Calm]

1. Can't have anybody suing anybody for malpractice. .

[Phlem]

2. can anyone really trust a Republican?

I knew this years ago but somehow we keep trying.



-p