Thursday, October 31, 2013

Thursday, October 31, 2013

"Whatever!" 

Speaking in Boston yesterday, Obama attempted to explain away his promise that under Obamacare Americans would be able to keep health insurance plans they liked. Here's what he said: 
 

  • "If you had one of these substandard plans before the Affordable Care Act became law and you really liked that plan, you're able to keep it.  That's what I said when I was running for office.  That was part of the promise we made.  

    "But ever since the law was passed, if insurers decided to downgrade or cancel these substandard plans, what we said under the law is you've got to replace them with quality, comprehensive coverage…"

Insurance companies are not "deciding to cancel" your insurance. Obamacare forces the insurance companies to cancel those plans because Big Government thinks its judgment is better than yours. 

The Obama Administration knew Obamacare would force the cancellation of millions of individual policies. Obamacare's mandates are leading to higher prices and rate shock. (See next item.) Yet Obama continues repeating what even the Washington Post considers to be a "whopper" of a claim. 

By the way, while most news coverage of these cancellations has so far focused on folks in the individual market, it is likely that as many as half of all employer-provided plans may be cancelled too. In that case, tens of millions of Americans stand to lose the coverage they currently have. 

But did you catch Obama's use of the word "substandard"? He said it twice when referring to policies that millions of Americans had chosen for themselves. Liberals love choice when it comes to destroying innocent unborn children. But they don't trust you to choose an insurance policy that best fits your needs or budget. 

Back in Washington, Secretary of Health and Human Services Kathleen Sebelius was barely able to contain her contempt during questioning from Rep. Gregg Harper (R-MS), who wanted to know who was responsible for Obamacare's disastrous rollout. 

Dutifully, Sebelius tried to assume responsibility, even though she acknowledged that she answered to the president. And when Rep. Harper asked whether Obama, as president, was ultimately responsible, Sebelius stumbled and eventually said, "Whatever." You can watch the exchange here. 

Obamacare is a disaster and we were lied to. "Whatever," says Sebelius.

Four Americans were murdered in Benghazi and we were lied to. "What difference does it make?" said Hillary. 

Is too much to ask that our public servants show more respect for the American people and the taxpayers who pay their salaries? 

Why You Must Pay More 

Being able to keep your plan wasn't the only lie we were told about Obamacare. On the campaign trail last year, Obama said, "You should know that once we have fully implemented [Obamacare] … your premiums will go down." But premiums are not going down. Quite the opposite. Many people are finding that their costs are skyrocketing. 

In fact, one Obamacare navigator in Colorado confessed that she has yet to sign up a single person. Why? "Thus far everybody has taken a look at the rates and they've walked out the door," said Jennifer Abbott. "There's sticker shock. They just can't afford it."

National Review's Jonah Goldberg does a good job explaining why this Big Government healthcare scheme is raising costs. Rather than getting into the weeds of healthcare policy, he uses an analogy most people can understand: 
 

  • "Say I like my current car. The government says under some new policy I will be able to keep it and maybe even lower my car payments. But once the policy is imposed, I'm told my car now isn't street-legal. 

    "Worse, I will have to buy a much more expensive car or be fined by the IRS. But, hey, it'll be a much better car! Why, even though you live in Death Valley, your new car will have great snow tires and heated seats.

    "This is what the government is saying to millions of Americans who don't want or need certain coverage, including, for instance, older women -- and men -- who are being forced to pay for maternity care. Such overcharging is necessary to pay for the poor and the sick signing up for Obamacare or for the newly expanded Medicaid."

Obama Hits New Low 

As more and more Americans confront the reality of Obamacare, Obama is taking a hit too. The latest NBC News/Wall Street Journal poll finds Obama's approval rating has fallen five points in two weeks and hit a record low in that poll of just 42%. 

There was another question in the poll that deserves mentioning. Only 34% of Americans thought the economy would be worse off next year. Yet 70% said the country was "on the wrong track." What explains the gap?

I think it is everything else that Americans are experiencing: growing moral decline, abortion on demand, same-sex marriage, a shrinking middle class and a growing sense that our liberty is in danger. 

The economy is certainly an important issue. But millions of Americans are also concerned about America's growing virtue deficit and they are desperate for someone to defend their values. 

Mercy For The Mullahs -- None For You 

Obama wants Congress to delay voting on tougher sanctions on Iran. Seriously. Congress has a bi-partisan coalition that wants to strengthen sanctions on Iran's murderous government to stop it from obtaining nuclear weapons. Obama has sent his lobbyists to Capitol Hill to insist that Iran be given a respite. 

Obama refuses to delay punishment for you under Obamacare, but he insists on a delay in punishment for the Holocaust-denying Iranian government.