SOLD: Sen. Nelson's Bribe (Posted for Documentation)

SOLD: Sen. Nelson’s Bribe

by Publius

We’ll be blunt.

The ‘health care reform’ legislation under consideration in the Senate is the most corrupt piece of legislation in our nation’s history. Yes, we understand that is a strong statement and there have been other abominations throughout our nation’s life. But never before did corrupt legislation threaten to radically and forever change the live’s of every American.

senator-ben-nelson

Exhibit A is the outright bribe extracted by Sen. Ben Nelson (D-Corn Huckster State) from Sen. Harry Reid. As a result of Nelson’s performance in his role of Hamlet in the health care deliberations, we will have two health care systems in this country; one for Nebraska and one for the other 49 states.

In its quixotic attempt to ensure everyone has health insurance, the Reid legislation greatly expands Medicaid eligibility. Because Medicaid is a program whose costs are split between the federal and state governments, this expansion in eligibility raise costs dramatically for states. States will be forced to either raise taxes or cut other services to accommodate the forced increase in Medicaid spending.

Unless that state is Nebraska.

Below is the text for Nelson’s bribe. Under this language the federal government will forever cover the costs of Medicaid expansion in Nebraska. Taxpayers in every other state will forever be responsible for the expanded Medicaid program in Nebraska.

Outrageous doesn’t do justice to describe this situation. Sen. Nelson also secured an exemption from a new insurance tax for non-profit companies in his state. Mutual of Omaha and Nebraska’s Blue Cross/Blue Shield won’t have to pay a tax other companies will be required to pay.

Continues in post #1

Is this the “let them eat cake” moment????

Lol, it's way past that. They've been saying that with their actions for months.

Our elected officials---who work for us (shhh don't tell them)--- have recently gone on more feel good trips at our expense than ever before.

Spas, expensive dinners and hotels.

I think it is now "let them eat crumbs" while they live the high life.

Logging: “let them eat cake” moment #4309 and counting

: > )

If we still live under our constitution, you'd think these special deals to cover part of Medicaid costs for specific states would be unconstitutional. Who knows? I know it's common for pols to push through tax breaks for specific companies, and all sorts of pork projects that benefit only on state. But these deals to defray Medicaid expenses, that seems especially wrong since every state's budget has been overburdened with Medicaid expenses, and it is an annual, recurring expense as long as the program exists.

There is no way it's right, or should be constitutional for a few states to have Medicaid expenses reduced by any federal legislation while other states receive no such financial help. But our constitution now only means what specific political hacks in black robes say it means. Who knows what would happen if this were challenged, if it can even be challenged in light of whatever precedent might exist.

Manchin (D) is Gov. Part of another politically dynastic family. My bet is, if necessary, he will appoint Anne Barth, Byrd’s long time toady and big time Progressive.

The WV GOP is as corrupt as the NY GOP. The WV GOP now holds NO state-wide elective office. During Manchin’s first term, it held ONE...and yet the state still went for Bush twice and McInsane last Nov.

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.