Free Republic

Supporters of ObamaCare often argue that the new health care law is a lot like Massachusetts’ reforms. But that program increasingly is running into problems with costs and Bay Staters are becoming craftier about gaming the system. Health insurers have filed suit against the state insurance commissioner: Nearly a week after Massachusetts regulators disapproved 235 of 274 rate increases filed by health insurers, citing the rising cost of care, a group of six companies is suing the state for a move it says will “likely cause greater costs and confusion.”

(snip) Hoping to pull in some more cash for the final stretch of the general election, the Brown campaign also circulated a fundraising letter penned by former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney (R). Romney touts Brown's credentials as a fiscal conservative while also noting, in bold, that he would become the critical 41st Republican vote against the health care bill when it comes back to the Senate for final passage. Democrats passed the bill on Christmas Eve with 60 votes, just enough to overcome the prospect of a GOP filibuster. (snip)

<p>Reid is trying to do cram through, he has his 60. But what if, that is the question. Their is a special election in Massachusetts on 01/19/2010. What if their internals are so bad that a Republican has a chance to win Teddy Kennedy's seat? What if Scott Brown actually wins in Massachusetts? Tangential to this is the age and health of Senator Byrd. These are two risks that could delay their 60 vote fillibuster proof majority. One by going back to 59 if Brown wins, and the other is all the issues that would occur if Byrd's health failed or worse, note we wish him well, but at 95 if my memory is correct, he has been in better health. I look forward to Freepers' thoughts on this.</p>

The American Revolutionary War began in Massachusetts with the Battles of Lexington and Concord, on April 19th, 1775. Following what Emerson referred to as the “Shot heard ‘round the world”, a small fledgling colony stood up against the tyranny of the greatest military force on earth… And won. Great men and women stood up in perilous times and prevailed against what appeared to be unconquerable odds. Some have referred to the present day as perilous times, and once again the people of Massachusetts have an opportunity to set into motion a political revolution. On January 19th, a special election will...

A small boat carrying 21 illegal immigrants tried to flee from federal agents before being stopped Wednesday morning about 14 miles off the La Jolla coast, U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials said today. The 25-foot boat had been spotted farther up the coast near Leucadia by a U.S. Coast Guard cutter. A Blackhawk helicopter and a Midnight Express Interceptor vessel were dispatched to help track down the skiff-like boat, known as a panga. The boat's driver was arrested as a suspected smuggler. The other people – 20 men and one woman, all of them Mexican citizens – were turned...

Republican Charles Baker says Gov. Deval Patrick and Beacon Hill Democrats have "turned a crisis into a calamity" and made the Massachusetts economy "a wreck" with excessive government spending and an unwise tax increase. In a video to supporters unveiled today, the former Harvard Pilgrim Health Care president says he has twice engineered economic turnarounds.