Posted on 01/18/2007 1:22:28 PM PST by calcowgirl
Ted Kennedy, the nation's most persistent backer of nationalized health care, must be smiling at the irony. Almost four decades after he first proposed the idea, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, a Kennedy relative by marriage, is touting his own version of universal coverage, and, if adopted, the idea could go nationwide quickly. It's no wonder critics are already dubbing the ostensibly Republican chief executive "Schwarzenkennedy."
This isn't the first time Mr. Kennedy has found a Republican to carry water for him. In 1971, after Medicare spending had increased by more than 70% in five years (although the number of people enrolled grew by only 6%), Richard Nixon declared a "health-care cost crisis" and worked with Mr. Kennedy to propose mandatory employer-provided health insurance. The idea foundered, but a modified version now has been revived by Mr. Schwarzenegger, who wants to require that every person buy health insurance, or be covered by an employer or the government. ...
...The behind-the-scenes architects of much of the governor's plan were Ms. Kennedy and Mr. Zingale, who also served as Mr. Davis's director of managed health care.
...Mr. Schwarzenegger should have pursued the universal access he used to tout. He could sign up more of the nearly one million Californians eligible for current health programs but not yet enrolled. The 49 coverage mandates that make insurance so expensive (Idaho has only 13) could be reduced and residents allowed to buy coverage from other states. ...Instead, the governor's plan piles on a new mandate that bars insurers from turning down anyone based on health status or age. When New Jersey instituted a similar rule in 1993, premiums jumped 500%.
...Should he succeed, the long-term dream of nationalized health care held by Ted Kennedy, and Hillary Clinton, will be closer to reality than ever.
(Excerpt) Read more at online.wsj.com ...
Schwarzneggar isnt carrying any water for Fat Ted. He is carrying it for his wife maria.
Arnie is hunting for a Gov. recall.
Will people who don't want to pay for the state health care scam be thrown in prison or flogged in the public square?
Arnold is becoming quite the collectivist.
In that case.....how about "Schwarzenschriver"?
If his wife is putting this over on him, it raises to a new quantum level the concept of "*****-whipped".
The reason liberals want centralized healthcare is that it gives them a powerful, life-or-death control mechanism over individuals.
I prefer "The Imperious Schwarzenkaiser."
See tag line.
maybe because he is getting even with the voters for voting down all his proposals in his special election?
"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelologus
No, it hasn't passed yet, but it doesn't look good.
Whether or not it can get knocked down relies on whether Schwarzenegger will be successful in selling the levies on doctors, hospitals, and employers as "fees," which would require only a majority vote of the legislature. He adamantly proclaims that they are not "taxes," which would require a 2/3 vote. The Dems are mostly behind his proposal (and proposed a couple lesser versions of the same thing), so it could pass easily if the "fee" designation prevails. Republicans are opposed and will be able to block it only if the "tax" designation prevails.
Good one, CO. Charade was the term I just used in a post to Normsrevenge.
Thanks, lentulusgracchus! :-)
I doubt that would be possible.
The 2002 Davis-Simon election had a lower turnout due to the negative campaigning, with about 7.1 million votes cast. The threshold for a recall petition was attainable.
In 2006, the Schwarzenegger-Angelides had almost 8.8 million votes cast, which would make a recall petition much harder to achieve.
The 1998 Davis-Lundgren election was also in the 8.3 million vote range.
-PJ
Are you serious? You have GOT to be kidding!!!
Holy Carp!!! (please excuse the misspelling) If true... That is way over the line and the point of our attack!!! That is all subject to some bureaucrat's personal subjectivity!!!
I see.
So your wealth and your property is not yours, and the state will steal and spend it as the state sees fit.
I thought we killed the fascists back in WWII.
Looks like we missed a few.
Schwarzenkaiser!
I like it.
Requiring all individuals to have a minimum level of coverage (individual mandate): Requiring people to carry coverage is the most effective strategy for fixing the broken health care system. The core problem for California is that those with insurance pay the cost of health care delivered to 6.5 million uninsured. Everyone must participate equally. An employer mandate will not achieve universal coverage because it fails to address the needs of part-time, seasonal and unemployed uninsured Californians.
(snip)
Facilitating and enforcing the individual mandate: Systems will be established to facilitate enrollment of uninsured persons who use the health care system. Providers will play an important role in supporting enrollment by instituting such strategies as on-site enrollment at provider locations, as well as by underscoring the expectation that everyone present a coverage card at the point of service. In addition, the salary tax withholding and payment process with the Employment Development Department and the state income tax filing process will be utilized to promote compliance with the individual mandate.
You are forgiven. Speaking truth is welcome.
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