President Obama Offers a Taxing Definition

The Baucus bill calls the fine for not complying with the individual mandate an “excise tax”. Really. It’s right there in the bill, on page 29, Subtitle D, Shared Responsibility:
“Excise Tax. The consequence for not maintaining insurance would be an excise tax. If a taxpayer’s MAGI is between 100-300 percent of FPL, the excise tax for failing to obtain coverage for an individual in a taxpayer unit (either as a taxpayer or an individual claimed as a dependent) is $750 per year. However, the minimum penalty for the taxpayer unit is $1,500. If a taxpayer’s MAGI is above 300 percent of FPL the penalty for failing to obtain coverage for an individual in a taxpayer unit (either as a taxpayer or as an individual claimed as a dependent) is $950 year. However, the maximum penalty amount a family above 300 percent of FPL would pay is $3,800.”

I wish George had had the bill in his hand to show the President that it was in fact an excise tax.

“No, but — but, George, you — you can’t just make up that language and decide that that’s called a tax increase,” said the president.
Obama continued, “As President and Supreme Ruler of the Universe, only *I* can ‘make up’* stuff.”
Reality, the language George used IS in the bill.
*’make up’ = lie. Joe Wilson was right.

If you don’t have a car you don’t need auto insurance.

George got a big taste of Obama the condescending know-it-all.
How dare anyone question Obama’s motives.
Even if the questioner is a part of the Old Liberal Media that 90% of the time will protect Obama at all cost.
Obama owes the presidency in a big way to the media yet he treats them like his doormat.
Kudos to George for the tough question.

Obama was visibly shaken and reacted defensively at the questions about ACORN and taxes.
His answers about ACORN were rediculous.
ACORN could get $8Billion in stimulus and Obama doesn’t know?
It’s a wonder Obama has any credibility at all.

Good for ABC for asking the tough questions.
Pretty funny considering Obama skipped FOX to avoid anything tough.
He must have anticipated softballs and sticking to his usual talking points.

This President is a clown……

OBAMA BIN LYIN’

Obama is not used to reporters being anything other than obsequious.
It was much easier in Chicago, where they are all stupid.

I have no idea where Pol I came up with his own arbitrary criteria fow what is a “tax,” but I sure feel better knowing that all those years I was forced to pay my FICA tax, it wasn’t really a tax at all.
I’ll go with the dictionary. I say it’s spinach, and I ain’t eating it.

You too, Jake? Horray — FINALLY the American public MAY get credible journalists asking real questions. Kudos to both you and George for exposing our President w/a Yale Law degree for what he is.
The American public critized George Bush for being a cheerleader @ Yale. At least George grew up. What we have now is a self-centered “cheerleader” intent only on (in his own words yesterday) continuing the campaign mode.

So..Just so I understand. All of you against the POTUS are okay with increasing health care costs for us job holding, tax-paying citizens? You are okay with us paying more and more in premiums to cover those uncovered who use or mis-use the system? You would rather we continue on the downward spiral and do nothing just for the sake of making the POTUS fail? When will you start caring more about the USA more than your narrow personal political agenda?

And we really owe Pol I a debt of gratitude for telling us that the tobacco tax, alcohol tax, and gasoline tax are not really taxes at all. Sure do feel better knowing that.
What kind of sucker does one have to be to believe that the horrible Baucus bill will be made OK if only we change the word “tax” to something else.
Finally: there is a serious constitutional question about whether the congess has the power to require an individual to purchase an insurance policy. If Obama, having taught what he says was a constitutional law course for ten years, can come up with nothing better than the inapposite auto insurance analogy, this legislation has a problem.

Ruh on: Women do need insurance to pay for breast exams and other female tests. I agree with the president,after he has done all he can to make insurance available to all and some people just say they don’t want it….what happens when they get sick. You will be the first person to say…I don’t want to pay for their costs especially if they are immigrants. Why should people who are trying to do the right thing have to pay for those who don’t? That is what happened during the housing bust. Those who saved and bought houses with some money down were o.k. while the others bought with no interest loans no money down….those are the ones losing their homes. There was a couple who bought a home for $520,000 and after two years ran into some problems but still owed 520,00 on their homes and wanted to sell at a profit. While I feel sorry for them,they bought with a risk. Everyone is paying in the long run for that. Banks were wrong to offer these loans but people were wrong to buy with this risk. Now, they are crying for the government to do something for them. This would be the same for health care. Those who took the insurance will be o.k. but the otheres will not if they get sick and expect all of us to pay the bill.

Was George tempted to say, “You LIE!”

Jake, thanks for covering what is going on with some objectivity for a while now.
Hopefully GS’s couple of real questions burried in the softballs signal some kind of change in thinking about covering Obama at ABC.
It’s way past time to vet every single word that comes out of Obama’s mouth. He seems incapable of telling the truth.

Now we know how he is going to sign a bill that is not “deficit-neutral”, He is just going to say it is!

George was obviously setting things up for an argument when he had a dictionary there all ready to quote from. You can call it tax – you can call it what ever you want – but the truth is we must do something about the insurance lobby and the fact that they are driving health care costs through the roof. We need reform and we need it now. Turn off FAUX news and start watching CNN and the Senate hearings on reform. There is where the truth is showing through.

To quote the “great” Bill Clinton – “Depends on what your definition of ‘tax’ is”….
Posted by: naskovj | Sep 21, 2009 11:45:45 AM
I was going to say that too! :O)

When will you start caring more about the USA more than your narrow personal political agenda?
Posted by: MikeA | Sep 21, 2009 11:11:13 AM
***
Very good question. We need a better economy, better job market, better (more equitable and less costly) health care access and insurance system, better Wall Street oversight, better infrastructure, better energy policy, and so on, all while we’re fighting two wars funded by loans from foreign governments– and yet we keep hearing the same baloney from the same people who voted for many of the folks that got us into this mess, folks who have very few, if any, good ideas when it comes to domestic policy, and we’re supposed to pretend the past eight years are immaterial.
Sigh.
Fascist claims Obama won’t listen to alternatives while Olympia Snowe, who is in more of a position to know, says quite the opposite.
It’s an overloaded news and issues landscape right now– health care reform, the recession, Afghanistan, energy policy, financial reform, missile defense, and counter-terrorism efforts — yet conservative activists are pressing for more information on what topic? That’s right. ACORN. Because they’re doing their darnedest to make community organizers the great boogeymen of our time. Never mind that the alleged corruption in the Interior department during Bush’s eight years (with financial consequences in the billions of dollars, btw) has led to a criminal investigation of a former Bush cabinet secretary– no, let’s not worry about that. Puh-lease, that would upset right wingers and fall under the heading of looking back at the disastrous last admin. Let’s, instead, continue a witch hunt against ACORN and the so-called czars, despite never complaining about czars in the past, and let’s watch journalists afraid of being labeled “liberal” jump on the Fox bandwagon to push whatever story Glenn Beck and his parrots feed them, and play gotcha to keep the drama going– eyeroll.
At least David Gregory got Boehner to admit he doesn’t really think Obama is a socialist, although he’s used the term in the past. (Right wingers lie??)
When WILL they start caring more about the USA than their narrow personal political agenda?
We need health care reform.

“Ruh on: Women do need insurance to pay for breast exams and other female tests.” posted by talmag
What a load of crap. My annual mammogram costs $50. My annual pap smear and complete physical, including comprehensive blood work, runs less than $200. Insurance is not needed for that, and insurance that covers those sorts of costs comes with significantly higher premiums.

“Let’s, instead, continue a witch hunt against ACORN and the so-called czars…”
Witch hunts? As a pagan, I find your blasé use of the term offensive.
I also do not think these charges are unfounded as the workers in the various ACORN offices did not even blink when asked about running a house of prostitution including the possible forced employment of underage sex workers.
“So-called” Czars? The investigation of “Green Jobs Czar” Van Jones (that was what Obama appointed him) was not unfounded either. I understand your protectionist feeling for Obama, you do not want him to “fail” but you must be able to criticize him when he does wrong.
Overhauling the current health care is going to be costly and individual care will be decreased if it is run by the government. It is the nature of the beast to be inefficient and bloated.
Hey, have you heard the latest Obama fiasco?
Apparently, the Obama administration leaned on grant receiving arts organizations under the NEA umbrella to speak up about health care reform or risk losing their funding.

“…you get hit if you have TOO much health insurance or you have no insurance, so I guess you can only have whatever insurance the government says with out getting hit with a tax errr fine.”
Brilliant observation. You’re damned if you do and damned if you don’t.
damned = taxed

-Witch hunts? As a pagan, I find your blasé use of the term offensive.-
And a joyous (soon to be) Samhain to you Brother (Sister?)! I hope the lovely Ms. Travers shows up at our festival this year. A real Celtic beauty that one. Fit to be consort to the High Kings of Old, says I!

“You see what’s happened? The term “insurance” now means “some one else pays for it”. They want “insurance” for everything.” posted by Concerned
Yes indeed, Concerned. It finally dawned on me several months ago that, while I have always viewed the issue in terms of insurance, and the solution in terms of insurance solutions; many on the other side view subsidized medical care in terms of a right to be supplied by others. Preferably the rich. Which is why I applaud the Baucus plan to the extent that it provides a fairly honest funding mechanism. They can no longer sell their plan to folks who think they’re going to get something for nothing on the fiction that the rich are going to pay for it.
Just like closing Guantanamo sounded dandy until folks realized that terrorists might be released in a neighborhood near them, health care reform sounds wonderful until folks realize that they will have to pay for it.

“…yet we keep hearing the same baloney from the same people who voted for many of the folks that got us into this mess, folks who have very few, if any, good ideas when it comes to domestic policy, and we’re supposed to pretend the past eight years are immaterial.”
The folks who got us into this financial mess include Barney Frank, Alan Greenspan, Barack Obama and a cast of thousands.
The folks who made the health insurance business what it is today are the United States Congress, which enacted crazy tax laws governing that business more than sixty years ago. Yet the yokels actually believe that the current edition of the congress will wave its magic coercive wand and make it better, not worse. Amazing.
Any goofball who complains about the cost of the Afghan War should explain to us why Obama calls it a “war of necessity,” and why he keeps sending men to fight and die there. Now his hand-picked commander says we must have more troops or we will lose the war. What does Obama do? He goes on television to tell us why we must pass legislation that a majority does not want, to radically alter a medical Insurance system with which a huge majority are quite happy.
I am unaware of any proposals made by Olympia Snowe. I am very much aware that the Republican congressional leadership has not been invited to the White House to discuss the matter since April. And I am aware that more than twenty Republican proposals have not been allows out of committee.

“Yes, but let me even say before I even get inaugurated, during the transition we’ll be calling all of you [community organizers] in to help us shape the agenda.”
“We’re gonna be having meetings all across the country with community organizations so that you have input into the agenda for the next presidency of the United States of America.”

It is truly frightening that the President actually believes he “rules” over a country filled with morons who don’t know a tax (call it whatever the hell you want) when they see one.
We can’t listen to this scam artist who wants to “evaluate” the need to send more troops to Afghanistan, yet tries to ram a bogus healthcare plan down our throats with no “evaluation.”

Any goofball who complains about the cost of the Afghan War
***
If you’re talking about me you need to improve your reading skills as I didn’t mention the cost of the Afghan War, but rather, HOW it was funded– and, frankly, I can live with the Afghan war having been funded as it was without requiring sacrifice from anyone besides the troops– because 9/11 had just occurred. But to add a second war, funded the same way?????? And throw on a couple scoops of tax cuts without spending cuts? I think you’re the goofball and yokel if you’re into that– and a hypocrite to be talking money at all, ever.Full stop.
As for the rest, we disagree as to how much Obama had to do with the mess we’re in, I’ll give you Greenspan, and I don’t live in an area that involved voting for Frank, but I bet you did vote for Bush/Cheney twice and defend them without considering how ill-guided their monetary, economic and domestic policy was, but bygones. After all, you’re a Fascist, right? You make no claims to the contrary, that’s for sure. — BUT, make no mistake on this, many of the people who made the health insurance industry what it is today are those who have worked in it in the past and presently– those at the top. Read Wendell Potter’s interviews for a broader understanding of the issue.
Btw, most Americans want health insurance reform in some form.

THe curent plans under consideration will devastate the economy. Thousands of businesses (after having done the math) will not be able to cover the costs mandated by the government for employee insurance. Not all businesses make lots of money, many make very little. When those businesses go bankrupt, employees will lose their jobs. Then you get to pick up the bill for them. Good luck. Congress, are you listening??? Obama, do you care???

I love this line from the President (from above article): ” What it’s saying is, is that we’re not going to have other people carrying your burdens for you anymore”…
Is Team O supporting self-reliance? Of course, this net any tax and employer subsidies.
Also, that 10% number is interesting – low-income earners can opt-out of insurance and NOT pay excise tax, upper and middle-income earners won’t be able to avoid it…
Does this mean EVERYONE is expected to pay 10% of income for healthcare? Or pay no more than 10%? How will this impact home mortgage calculations? (sucking 10% of income off the top would reduce available income for mortgage payments)

Why does the left get so upset at the term “socialist” when used to accurately describe Obama’s philosophy and belief system. Hey it was Obama who told Joe the Plumber he just wants to redistribute the wealth. Why can’t the left face facts and accept Obama for who he really is? Why does the mainstream media play the part of his apologist?

-Katie Couric gets paid millions to look cute and read a telepromter.-
Well, she is cute. I’d buy her a drink.

“”"”"”"if you’re talking TARP, helped or hurt our current situation. I believe it was a step in pulling us back from the brink of a deep, dark depression.”"”"”"
Posted by: Alyson
So are you going to credit G Bush for signing TARP? Bush wouldn’t release the 2nd $350 billion without Obama agreeing, which was the only involvement Obama had with TARP. Are you going to blame Obama for overspending with his “Porkulus” $787 billion?

So are you going to credit G Bush for signing TARP? Bush wouldn’t release the 2nd $350 billion without Obama agreeing, which was the only involvement Obama had with TARP. Are you going to blame Obama for overspending with his “Porkulus” $787 billion?
Posted by: lfrichar | Sep 21, 2009 1:54:43 PM
Yes, to the first question, I have given Bush credit for an assist on here and elsewhere, for not kicking us into the abyss after bringing us so close to the ledge. Of course, that comes with a disclaimer because I don’t think Bush’s “efforts” alone were enough to thwart the depression. I give credit to Paulson and cite his high regard of Frank and Pelosi when it came to doing something quickly to save the economy. And, no surprise I’m sure, I supported a stimulus package. I think it was far, far from perfect but I think the “porkulus” baloney is rather misguided baloney. I think stimulus was needed. What I will blame Obama for is this– once the recovery gets its legs, he has said he will focus on the deficit. If he doesn’t, I will question that and expect answers and read what the economists say about it, and form an opinion based on a wide range of factors. I do think there is a debate to be had over stimulus spending and churning out money vs. inflation stifling the recovery. But there is no consensus as to the best route out right now– and I think a clenched fist on ideology isn’t conducive to good policy or finding our way out of the mess.

“Does this mean EVERYONE is expected to pay 10% of income for healthcare? Or pay no more than 10%?” Posted by: N2vip
Why no, N2vip. According to CBO estimates, it will be closer to 15% for individuals earning more than $32,000 and families earning more than $80,000.
The high price tag is because the basic benefits package mandated by the Democrats’ plan is far more comprehensive and far more expensive than many of the young and/or healthy uninsured need or want. (also far more expensive than those of us who are insured, but who prefer the lower cost high deductible basic coverage, need or want)

Obama is the master of decepcion, he holds a Law Degree from Harvard and he is an elitist. The media has given him a free pass for months constantly throwing siftballs at him so he can look great. The guy is just a celebrity a lot of makeup and plastic but when it comes to substance and the thruth …. NADA …

Katie Couric gets paid millions to look cute and read a telepromter.-
Well, she is cute. I’d buy her a drink.
Posted by: Lizard | Sep 21, 2009 1:50:14 PM
***
I’d buy her a few drinks for her successful interviews with Sarah Palin but hey why admit she’s a journalist when you can simply talk about her looks?
What’s with the honey and cute crapola, Mike C.?
As for the “liberal” media– riiiight. It’s a nice canard for right wingers but it’s out of touch.

According to CBO estimates, it will be closer to 15% for individuals earning more than $32,000 and families earning more than $80,000.-
Tax, uh I mean make them pay a fee, uh for their own good, the rich!

I’d like to thank the democrats for 9 wonderful months of this circus.

The point is that obama and his supporters are on the defense now. They are trying their best to turn in around.
No one believes their lies anymore.

Also, does anyone really believe he knows nothing about his former client ACORN? That is almost laughable. He is either a complete moron, or he thinks we are.

” I can live with the Afghan war having been funded as it was without requiring sacrifice from anyone besides the troops.”
Very big of you.
I have not a shadow of a doubt that Obama is a US citizen. As for his being a socialist, while there is simply no consensus as to the meaning of that term, he certainly falls within my understanding of that term. His every action to date has been to socialize–I.e., to spread throughout society–a host of risks, costas and benefits–and to pursue a redistributionist agenda. And if he has ever said an appreciative word about private enterprise I did not hear it.
But there’s not much to be gained by quibbling about semantics, either here or on the question of what is and is not a tax.

If you search “Inside Obama’s Acorn” you will learn what most of the press would not report.
Remember the loud townhall meetings?
They didn’t get violent until SEIU was asked to get involved.
From Doug Ibendahl:
“According to a report by the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, 361 entities compose the ACORN Council. Eleven of those entities are in Illinois.
Possibly the most visible face of ACORN in Illinois is its sister organization SEIU Local 880.
ACORN founder Wade Rathke referred to super-union SEIU Local 880 as “one of the pillars of the ACORN Family.”
SEIU Local 880, currently representing approximately 28,000 home care workers and day care workers across Illinois, was founded twenty years ago with the active help and assistance of its self-described sister organization, ACORN.
But while many regular citizens are just now beginning to connect the dots, our elected officials have long been aware of ACORN’s influence over SEIU Local 880 in Illinois.
The relationship has always been there for all to see. Just take a look at the email address SEIU Local 880 lists for itself at the top of its homepage.
ACORN Housing Corp. and SEIU Local 880 also share the same street address in Chicago – 209 W. Jackson Boulevard (see here and here).
When it comes to influencing our elected officials, ACORN-founded SEIU Local 880 is at the top of the clout list. SEIU Local 880′s own website brags about that influence this way: “SEIU has clout – the power to make things happen at the bargaining table, in the political arena, and workplace.”

I’d buy her a few drinks for her successful interviews with Sarah Palin but hey why admit she’s a journalist when you can simply talk about her looks?
LOL…a jounralist…..
You have to be kidding…Just because you can read questions preped by a staff does NOT make you a journalist!
LOL, next you will be telling us that Ted Kennedy was a Republican!

While we’re at it, Obama has used the NEA to promote his agenda.
Another “non-profit” doing partisan work.
The whole thing is over at Big Government. No way the left wing media is going to report it, butI hope Jake gets to it.

Somewhere along the line, Obama’s desire to present his arguments in a clear, forthright, and respectful manner simply disappeared.

Who needs the dictionary when we have Obama? After all, how could an excise tax be a tax if it looks like a tax, acts like a tax, and smells like a tax? Silly us. What’s next? Will we wrongly conclude that day is night and that wrong is right?

According to CBS, nott only can Obama not show how his plan will lower premiums, it’s actually likely to increase them, thanks to the restrictive nature of the exchanges in relation to health-care plan types.  Lower-cost coverage that rely on health-savings accounts (HSAs) and higher deductibles — which make perfect sense for younger individuals and families — will get eliminated in favor of more comprehensive plans.

Because, as Politico’s Chris Frates points out, it’s all right there on page 29 of the bill: “Excise Tax. The consequence for not maintaining insurance would be an excise tax.”
Another bill Barry didn’t read…Not that reading this stuff is important.

Replacing ruthless profit seeking corporations for a new less expensive government run company, imo, would be a good idea. If anyone disagrees, it boils down to who do you trust?
with that insane logic, you would have the gov’t do everything for everyone inorder to supply us with utopia!
TRUST? the simple FACT is I and the majority of Americans do NOT Trust the government and is own Corruption to run ANYTHING like healthcare BETTER, & CHEAPER than private industry.
You blabbered on & on with the usual talkng points.
The idea that that people like Nancy Pelosi, Charlie Rangel & Barney Frank could EVER, EVER set, ans run any buisness construct better than the private sector is beyond insane!
You worry about profits…Profits are there to be seen the stock holders & board of directors are there to actually see them.
WHO EXACTLY oversees the government? Who is there each & every day to make sure they do not waste more money im mindless red tape & breaucratic corruption than a private company takes in in profits?
Take a good long look at he simulus bill and the dollar amounts in there for “manageenmt & oversight”. That function has worked SOOOOO well hasn’t it? And thats with a breaucratic structure that is already in place!
Can you invest in a govt program and expect reurns on your money?
By the way, take a look at how incredibly effective the govet was at handling the cash-for-cluunker claims. Those things were like kindergarten coloring books next to medical claims. Yet the cant even average 8 claims a day per worker! (700,000 claims/2000 workers yeilds 350 claims per worker. 8 per day gives you 43.75 days. That is one claim per hour for 7 business weeks.
Yeah, I want the government to run the show.
The same government that CANNOT control medicare/medicaid where we are told there is over 500,000,000,000 dollars in waste & fraud!
Yep, I TRUST them to run the nations’s healthcare better & cheaper than those ‘evil’ private companies!

Yes, but if your carpenter was continuaously doing bad work, wouldn’t you look for another carrier. How many layoffs did the post office have v almost any other company in the private sector?
Health care companiesn have proven to be failing the country. Failing the sick, and those with pre existing conditions. IMO, it is a good time for Americans to walk a mile in a fellow countrymen’s shoes. How much is your child worth to you?
The only real differenece between recession and depression is; if you are out of work, it’s a depression; if you have a job it’s a recession.

“How much is your child worth to you?”
More than waiting in line for Obamacare.

I’ve had health care insurance for a whole lot of years and unfortunately I have put it to good use more often than I care to remember. I do not have any complaints about my insurance plan.
Now, if my health benefits suddenly become taxable income, I’m going to have plenty of complaints…. about my government!
A very large number of people have health insurance and 85% of those people are happy with their coverage. Wrecking the whole system to pay for past government mistakes does not sit well with most folks.
Young people just starting out are not going to be happy with this albatross placed around their necks either.

-Glen Beck is likely your idea of a journalist.-
Get over him…

Stpphonopolous gave president Obamma a pretty tough interview. The toughest I have seen. Obamma had a hard time as he kept hitting him on the tax question.
Fox News, led by Rush Limbaugh, Glenn Beck, and Bill O’reilly have a combined audience of 40-50 million listeners and viewers daily. Some suggest Limbaugh is the surrogate leader of the republican party. I only read about the liberal media. Why doesn’t anyone discuss how hard hit president Obamma gets by these
three?

Glen Beck is likely your idea of a journalist.-
Get over him…
Posted by: A Liberal | Sep 21, 2009 5:12:33 PM
***
Oh, heck no. I’m basing the villain in my “great american novel” on him.

Name calling, very intelligent and mature way to respond. You’re the prime example of why Obamma is having such a hard time reforming a failing system. You calling me an idiot is like coal calling a snowman black.
Please understand there is no bill yet.
You object to Americans being forced into insuring themselves. Why is that?
It makes perfectly good sense to me. Before auto insurance became mandatory in most states, you took your chances driving your car to the grocery store. If you were hit and seriously hurt by an un insured driver, you were plum out of luck. Now most states have at least minimal required limits.
I read a posting a few weeks ago.
I know what my income is. I don.t concern myself with yours. If you make more than I do, that’s a good thing for you. I can not spend your money. Nor can you spend mine. Furthermore the taxes you are so against are not going to be imposed on your gross income. During trial it was once pointed out to me that trying to explain Gross Income, Adjusted Gross income, Taxable income, would only confuse the jury.
IMO, you do not understand the income tax scenario. IMO, you do not understand the penalty scenario.
Instead of hurling insults at me. Instead try explaining how the finance bill as Baucus proposed it will work and how it will affect you.
Keep in mind, there still has not been a formal bill sent to the House or the Senate. Bashing a bill that does not yet exist is just saying no. And no, i am not a left wing fruit-loop. Just someone who takes time to look, listen and read about issues which will affect my family.

My point is simple. In the state where I live, beginning in April gasoline prices rise by 10 cents a gallon.
It’s not a tax. My cost is 10 cents a gallon higher, no matter what the price of oil.
If taxes are increased to get health care reform done. But, the costs go down more than the increases. Aren’t you net sum total ahead?

Well, if the Baucaus Bill passes..next will be the Cap & Trade that will hit your paycheck with another tax..one that will cause you to spit blood!! The only “change” that Obama was talking about is the “change” left in your paycheck! What you libs do not understand is simply this..people who “WORK” and do not look for handout, take care of themselves, don’t like to work their butts off just to have the government take 60% of their paycheck for some lazy slob who won’t go get an education and a JOB! Libs are always looking for a handout or someone else to do everything for them! Hard working people are fed up with always having to pay someone else’s way! Start paying your own way for a change and you won’t want someone telling you to cough up your hard earned dollars either!!

the bill explicitly calls it a tax
***
Regarding the bill, the fun starts tomorrow. There are over 564 proposed amendments to work through. Some look really good. We’ll have to see what happens with the “tax.” Olympia Snowe, John Kerry and Maria Cantwell worked together on an amendment to ensure the cap grows a little bit faster so it doesn’t tax average policies (at least not as quickly), and it permanently raises the cap for individuals and families between 55 and 65 years of age. I’m sure others are looking at it as well.

“If taxes are increased to get health care reform done. But, the costs go down more than the increases. Aren’t you net sum total ahead?”
No way to tell unless you specify how much the services will be curtailed. And if you think that 30 (or is it 47?) million people can be added to the system, expenditures on services can be reduced (e.g. $500 million in Medicare cuts), but services will remain unchanged–well, if you think that, you probably think that the Baucus bill does not contain a tax.

We’ll have to see what happens with the “tax.”
For the benefit of those with reading problems:
Because, as Politico’s Chris Frates points out, it’s all right there on page 29 of the bill: “Excise Tax. The consequence for not maintaining insurance would be an excise tax.”

Why do some (MR. Preident, and his like-minded ilk) see PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY, as something Government intervention fosters; when history obviates the opposite. Generations have been destroyed by liberal governmental interference in the natural ebbs, and flows of a MATURING society. Every government scheme to save people from their own choices, (Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, Welfare…) has only served to weaken people, who likely would have prospered if they had known they were their OWN safety net.
If ANY of these programs had been TEMPORARY, some true success might have been achieved. History, note above examples, proves that nothing the government does is ever temporary, when it expands government control. (Also reference the income – tax…)
Make the expectation that people are, and WILL BE respnsible for themselves in EVERY WAY. Even the handicapped, depending on their particulars, should be expected to be the best they can be. That expectation may drive them to heights they would not have otherwise achieved.
Then individuals, families, churches, private charities, and the like; all of whom have been empowered by keeping saving, and investing THEIR OWN MONEY could provide a safety net. If at the end of these redundant safety nets, someone were to fall through, the government could provide a temporary, skeletal net, until other arrangemnts could be made.
Of course, WE may be too soft, and weak to do something like that now. Thanks to BIG GOVERNMENT!