Posted on 11/20/2009 9:27:53 AM PST by MaestroLC
Democratic Sen. Ben Nelson announced today that he is going to vote with his party to move the debate forward.
*snip*
“It is only to begin debate and an opportunity to make improvements. If you don't like a bill, why block your own opportunity to amend it?
“As we have seen before, obstructionists are inviting a move toward reconciliation by opposing this first procedural vote. Let's be clear. That route shrinks debate and amendments, eliminates bipartisanship and needs only 50 votes to pass a bill.
(Excerpt) Read more at politico.com ...
ok, guess we’ll find out soon. My prediction is all Dems and 2 Republicans.
ok, guess we’ll find out soon. My prediction is all Dems and 2 Republicans.
The only question I have is, “When will the first shot be fired?”
No if he good ol Harry loses this vote he can’t do anything including reconciliation.
This is the important vote pretty much—once they get the first 60 votes to open debate then they have the reconciliation option open to them if they fail to get the 60 votes to close debate after all the amendments.
So basically if they get the 60 on Saturday’s vote then this monstrosity is going to pass—most likely by reconciliation.
Well, I keep writing him, Snowe, Collins, Lincoln, and Landrieu.
My latest:
You’re voted into office by your State, but your vote while in the Senate affects every State and Territory and DC, too.
Are you aware of what is really IN the Health Care Bill?
Health Care: That thump in Washington was the 2,047 pages of the Senate overhaul bill landing on the chamber floor. The ripping noise that followed is the sound of money being yanked from Americans’ wallets.
No question, most Democrats like to tax, and this legislation, unveiled Wednesday by Majority Leader Harry Reid, provides them a grand opportunity to indulge that urge.
According to Americans for Tax Reform, Reid’s Senate bill uses the word “tax” no fewer than 183 times, “taxable” 164 times, “taxes” 17 times, “fee” 152 times and “penalty” 115 times.
The repeated references are clear indications of how bill supporters plan to fund an overhaul that, we are supposed to believe, will bring health care costs down.
Of course it won’t. This bill will cost far more than the $848 billion over 10 years it’s projected to. (Cato’s Michael Cannon says as much as $2.5 trillion.) And a good part of those costs will be paid by adding to Americans’ already painful tax burden.
Perhaps the ugliest tax is a levy on “Cadillac” health insurance plans. The Senate bill places a punitive 40% — yes, 40% — excise tax on health care plans valued at $8,850 and more for individuals, $23,000 and beyond for families. The margins for early retirees and high-risk professionals would be a bit more generous — $9,850 for single coverage and $26,000 for family plans.
The Senate bill will also wring fees from companies that manufacture and import branded drugs, as well as those that make and import certain medical devices. The amount of each company’s fees will be based on the company’s share of sales for the tax year.
Some Americans will eagerly support the idea of Congress sticking it to “greedy” firms. But this tax is particularly foolish, as it will curb innovations in the pharmaceutical and medical equipment industries. The companies that make the lifesaving and life-enhancing products that we should all be thankful for are not likely to respond to the fees by becoming more aggressive in their R&D.
Other taxes in the bill include:
• A 0.5% hike on the Medicare payroll tax — to 1.95% from 1.45% of wages — for those earning $200,000 or more a year. The margin will be set at $250,000 for joint filers.
• A 5% tax levied on elective cosmetic surgery, defined as surgery that doesn’t “meaningfully promote” proper body function or “prevent or treat illness or disease.” It will be paid by the patient.
• A tax on insurance companies that is estimated to raise $19 billion. Like the taxes on drug and medical device companies, it will be based on revenue share — premiums collected in this case — during the tax year.
• A limit on the amount of medical expenses that can be deducted from taxes.
It seems a little more than ironic to us that legislation that will supposedly improve health care could actually tax some of us to death. Let’s hope enough senators see it the same way. (Investors Daily)
Now Here’s a Title: Senate Health Bill Raises Taxes On Special Needs Kids and Their Families
I’ll let you read it here: http://www.atr.org/senate-health-bill-raises-taxesbr-special-a4233#
PLEASE vote NO, do not discuss this Tax Increase Bill Masquerading as “Health Care Reform.” It’s not and you know it in your heart.
Thank you,
McConnell has already said he has his 40 NO votes. Unlike Reid, the MSM will hold him accountable to his whip count.
Check back with me after this passes.
The Maine twins have already been bought. The final bill will cover all of Maine’s financial woes in their own health care fiasco. At least that’s what I read a couple or three months ago. Maybe things have changed since then.
what is your point? I have only said to date that all 40 GOP senators will vote NO tonight... no political cover for any of the RATS
Ok, we’ll see. Somehow I doubt it, but will be thrilled if that happens. Still, the result will be precisely what I predicted, namely Obamacare.
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