Obamacare's Hidden Taxes

IBD Editorials ^ | June 28, 2012 | Editor

[Kaslin]

Taxation: The high bench has confirmed that ObamaCare's individual mandate is a massive tax on the American middle class. But let's not forget the 20 other new taxes that are embedded in the law.

Though President Obama never sold it as a tax hike, the Supreme Court ruled the mandate is exactly that. Unfortunately, the majority argued it's legal under Congress' taxing authority.

Forcing citizens to buy health insurance "is absolutely not a tax increase," Obama insisted in 2009. Earlier, he assured the public that raising taxes on the middle class to support his health care plan was "the last thing we need in an economy like this." "Folks are already having a tough enough time," Obama added.

Indeed they are. But his plan, which subsidizes some 30 million uninsured, amounts to a $1.8 trillion whammy on working families. And that's just for starters.

The court was silent about the 20 other different taxes hidden in ObamaCare, more than half of which affect families earning less than $250,000 a year.

The new taxes, which cost some $675 billion over the next decade, include:

• A 2.3% excise tax on U.S. sales of medical devices that's already devastating the medical supply industry and its workforce. The levy is a $20 billion blow to an industry that employs roughly 400,000.

[Truth29]

Our government is becoming a tyrannical behemoth. Our government is losing the consent of the governed and is showing that it will rule with raw power and can now force any behavior that it wants, or else. If Romney and a Republican Congress is not elected in November and willing to completely repeal this monster, there are no other avenues for redress short of withdrawing the consent of the governed.

[Telepathic Intruder]

Hidden tax is right. The government can charge whatever it wants for health care, and no one will really know where the money is going. On paper it will just read health care costs.

[tobyhill]

“But his plan, which subsidizes some 30 million uninsured, amounts to a $1.8 trillion whammy on working families. And that’s just for starters.”

I’m sick of paying for everyone else and that’s why I am refusing to buy insurance or pay the tax for not buying it.

[Chode]

healthcare is the one thing in this country that absolutely should never be taxed.

[popdonnelly]

A mandate is not a tax, and a penalty is not a tax, unless you’re Chief Justice Roberts.

[xzins]

The republicans gave us Roberts.

Are you really looking to them for salvation?

They are part of the ruling class and share being the problem.

We need to overthrow the aristocracy.

[maddog55]

I dubt there are hidden taxes.. they’re roight out in the open, high as hell and going higher.

[Truth29]

Read the last part of what I wrote.

[seeker41]

I am jobless at the moment, perhaps I should just disappear! Its too late for our once great republic.

[RatRipper]

Our government is losing the consent of the governed

The Federal government has declared itself independent from, and not accountable to, the people of this nation. We are effectively right back where we started in this country: taxation without representation.

I have never evaded taxes in my whole life. But I think I may be about to start.

[Salvation]

I read on another thread, I believe, that healthcare payments would proceed
2012 — stay the same
2013 — increase of minimal dollars
2014 — seems like it jumped to over $200.00 a month

Can anyone verify this?

[ssschev]

Isn’t there something in the bill that allows the Gov. to withdraw directly from your bank account(s)?

[Kaslin]

I believe so

[Salvation]

Just got this from my health insurance provider:

The Supreme Court decision on the federal health care reform law has settled much of the legal uncertainty over how the law will be carried out.

As a --------------- member, you need not be concerned about any disruption to your coverage and care resulting from the court's decision.

With your health and well-being in mind, we plan to continue our extensive efforts to implement health care reform, which began two years ago when the law first became effective.

• We are implementing state and federal reform laws as an integrated health care system. These laws incorporate certain requirements around health care coverage. They also address broader improvements to the way health care is delivered now and in the future.
  
• We are continuing to improve the quality and integration of care, and ensuring that we have the resources in place — physicians, nurses, and other staff, as well as the right health care facilities — to provide the care you and your family will need.
  
• We are also reviewing the court's decision to determine how it may affect the law's expansion of Medicaid coverage to millions of Americans, which is planned to begin in 2014.

[xzins]

consent of the governed.

Amen, T29. You're right. I missed that part.

The grievances are stacking up.

[arthurus]

It is a massive tax and an unconstitutional tax. The Constitution prescribes what sort of taxes Congress may levy. The mandate does not remotely fit any constitutionally permitted taxing methods.

[arthurus]

The next 5 months is the time we will be referring to when we ask ourselves the question the inmates of Auschwitz asked themselves, “Why didn’t I get out when I still could?”

[arthurus]

Either the HealthCare law or the financial reform law does that.