The fundamental connection between Citizens United and the Affordable Care Act.

[Uncle Joe]

This AFA will funnel approximately 1/2 a trillion dollars of taxpayer money not to mention ongoing premiums from vast numbers of captured customers to the for profit "health" insurance industry.

Citizens United will allow the for profit "health" insurance industry to use limitless sums of that windfall promoting issues up to election day that will benefit political candidates sympathetic to that industry's for profit cause.

What kind of issues would benefit the for profit "health" insurance industry over those of the people; being forced to subsidize political campaigns and policy decisions against their own best interests?

The list is endless but no doubt erosion of the positive aspects of the law and increasing punitive measures against those not purchasing would be a start.

Putting more people in political power against universal coverage, Medicare expansion or even a strong national public option would also be top goals.

[xchrom]

1. Du rec. Nt

[Uncle Joe]

10. Thanks for the Du rec, xchrom.

[ProSense]

2. Actually,

"The fundamental connection between Citizens United and the Affordable Care Act."

....the "fundamental connection" is the SCOTUS: they gave us Citizens United and will likely strike down the health care law.

Another: Republicans love Citizens United and hate the health care law because both sentiments serve to promote corporate greed and influence.

Repeal and replace with ... nothing
http://www.democraticunderground.com/1002478663

[Uncle Joe]

3. Actually

Citizens United and the Mandate will work hand in hand to undermine the best parts of the AFA.

There is no logical argument against that point, how could it not?

If you can give me a logical reason as to why it wouldn't please to do so!?

Re: "Repeal and replace with nothing"

There is no stopping the reform train even if the AFA were to be denied by the SC, health care reform will happen because too many people are demanding it, and the system is too flawed.

That doesn't mean we should embrace fundamentally bad reform that in the long term will actually work against itself and the people while making the for profit "health" insurance industry more incredibly powerful than they already are.

[ProSense]

4. What?

"There is no stopping the reform train even if the AFA were to be denied by the SC, health care reform will happen because too many people are demanding it, and the system is too flawed."

Are you seriously advocating that killing the law is good?

The significant expansion of Medicaid, the ban on dropping people with pre-existing conditions, the elimination of the lifetime cap, all the benefits for women, the MLR rule, rate review and the rest goes out the window.

[Uncle Joe]

5. You didn't answer my question.

"Citizens United and the Mandate will work hand in hand to undermine the best parts of the AFA.

There is no logical argument against that point, how could it not?

If you can give me a logical reason as to why it wouldn't please to do so!?"

The health care reform changes can happen regardless, that's what I'm saying.

All those things you're speaking of can and will be eroded or eliminated given enough time by the workings of Citizens United and the mandate working together.

The more time that passes, the more powerful the for profit "health" insurance industry will become, you're basically trading away temporary relief for permanent misery.

[ProSense]

6. That

"Citizens United and the Mandate will work hand in hand to undermine the best parts of the AFA.

There is no logical argument against that point, how could it not?

...makes no sense.

[Uncle Joe]

7. Are you suggesting the for profit "health" insurance industry will not use their new found wealth

from 1/2 trillion in taxpayer money, not to mention the ongoing mandate along with the Citizens United decision to allow unlimited spending up until election day on issue advocacy to promote political candidates to power that will be sympathetic to their cause?

[ProSense]

8. No

Are you suggesting the for profit "health" insurance industry will not use their new found wealth

from 1/2 trillion in taxpayer money, not to mention the ongoing mandate along with the Citizens United decision to allow unlimited spending up until election day on issue advocacy to promote political candidates to power that will be sympathetic to their cause?

...I'm suggesting it doesn't make sense because you're conflating the law with the political process. Also, the law, including the mandate, isn't going to be fully implemented until 2014.

Republicans/insurance companies are going to continue to campaign against it and distort it, but it has nothing to do with the workings of the law.

[Uncle Joe]

9. The political process greatly influences the rise and fall of political power.

Political power is required to pass, repeal or change law.

Is that not so?

[Egalitarian Thug]

11. You got it. K&R

[countryjake]

12. K&R!

[meow2u3]

13. This is the connection

$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

[Uncle Joe]

14. Money allows government to run via taxation but this is the first time to my knowledge

that government required the people to directly support with their hard earned dollars a private, for profit entity diametrically opposed to those same peoples' best interests.

[meow2u3]

15. I actually meant this

or this:


This best describes it:


Oops! THIS is the best description:

[Uncle Joe]

16. In that case,

I totally agree.