Free Republic

For more than half a century, governments all over the world trusted a single company to keep the communications of their spies, soldiers and diplomats secret. The company, Crypto AG, got its first break with a contract to build code-making machines for U.S. troops during World War II. SNIP The Swiss firm made millions of dollars selling equipment to more than 120 countries well into the 21st century. Its clients included Iran, military juntas in Latin America, nuclear rivals India and Pakistan, and even the Vatican. But what none of its customers ever knew was that Crypto AG was secretly...

House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi slammed a leaked draft plan to repeal and replace Obamacare, saying it cuts coverage and amounts to a tax break for the wealthy. "While Republicans hide from their constituents, they are moving down an increasingly cruel path to raise taxes on middle-class families and dismantle Americans' right to affordable health care," she said Friday. Pelosi's statement comes a few hours after leaked draft legislation was released by Politico Friday. The draft, dated Feb. 10, would cut Obamacare's mandates and taxes and pay for a replacement by capping tax breaks on employer-sponsored health plans. "The latest...

Politico reports today that a leaked draft of the GOP’s Obamacare replacement plan shows the House is not fiddling around the edges but moving toward full repeal and replacement of the law. The legislation would take down the foundation of Obamacare, including the unpopular individual mandate, subsidies based on people’s income, and all of the law’s taxes. It would significantly roll back Medicaid spending and give states money to create high-risk pools for some people with pre-existing conditions. Some elements would be effective right away; others not until 2020. The replacement plan would have no individual mandate. Instead, there...