Romney Pivots, Embraces Romneycare Again

ABC News ^ | Aug 9, 2012 | GREGORY J. KRIEG

[bkepley]

His own people want him out with his liberal agenda in Romney's hands for safe-keeping.

You are living in a fantasy world.

[ejonesie22]

I can tell you exactly what he will do. He will get rid of Obamacare and all the Mitt loving “conservatives” and such will cheer and accuse the rest of us of being too negative..

Then he will wait a year and submit Romneycare.

Of course now we have the Democrats in congress who will be smart enough to realize this is everything they want to begin with and the squishy republicans in the majority who will not want to go against a sitting president of their own party.

So while Obamacare was originally blocked, the same thing sold by a “Republican” president and a “Republican” congress will make it the law of the land...

And we so called “Obama lovers” and “DU plants” will get a big I told you so...

[bkepley]

Even if Romney does try to create a new version to replace Obamacare I know I will feel a lot safer with a Republican Executive branch. A lot safer.

[TheBattman]

Some of our founding fathers were so wise (probably because many were well-trained and conversant in God's Word). The philosophy of those wise men was that they saw the need for a moral and responsible citizenry for our form of government to succeed. Many recognized the evils of a government's heavy hand.

Flash forward - now we have a nation (and a government that not only willingly hands out $billions in freebies to the irresponsible and lazy, but actually actively PROMOTES such behavior!

Since when did it become the responsibility (Constitutionally) of the government (Federal, State, or Local) to provide medical care (or education)?

When did it become the responsibility of the government (IE - taxpayers) to fund the lifestyle or bad decisions of those with less initiative, lower work ethic, or the idiots?

It all started with the "feel good"... Like the Clinton-era "for the kids" strategy, the US was hitting hard economic times, so the solution - start up such programs as Social Security, Medicare, etc. The sales pitch - a "helping hand" to be a "bridge" until they can again support themselves. After all, even most conservatives I know can be quite generous in helping those who are doing all they can to make it. But all along, it was a ponzi scheme to set up future generations of dependents. There has NEVER been an intention to move people from "welfare to work". That was yet another scam of the Clinton administration. They renamed programs and threw in some marginally useful requirements to stay on welfare over a certain time (a requirement which Obama has now killed).

It all has been about dependency and government power. With nearly 50% of Americans paying ZERO Federal taxes - and over 1/3 drawing welfare-related benefits. With record numbers on food stamps (of which the requirements to receive them continues to weaken), is it any wonder that there are enough voters now to basically guarantee future "free" income and healthcare on the backs of the diminishing "producer" class?

I guess one of my biggest frustrations - I know people who have hit absolutely rock bottom economically, who still never asked for a check or other handout from Uncle Sam. They picked themselves up by the boot straps and worked their way back.

I also get frustrated with the growing number of Section 8 housing popping up all over (government subsidized), with residents who can afford the latest $500+ smartphone, can afford a vehicle newer than many actual "working" folks, with $5000 jumbo wheels and tires, $5000 paint jobs, $200 worth of fancy fingernails, another $200 a month worth of hair treatments/extensions, tattoos, $150 shoes, enough liquor to get a whole NFL team drunk every week, cigarettes, illicit drugs, and high-roller monthly trips to the casinos, but they can't pay their own rent? They can't pay for groceries to feed their children? They want me to pay for their health care, and that of their children, grand children....????

But as has been credited to Margaret Thatcher "The problem with Socialism, eventually you run out of other people's money."

And you know what the #1 factor in rising health care costs is? It isn't all the liberal talking points. It is government mandates and regulation. All health care costs are tied to Medicare reimbursement rates. Further, as people are NOT held responsible for covering their health care costs (because taxpayers are paying and/or providers are writing off costs), they utilize it MORE.

Here in Arkansas - Huckabee (the gift that keeps giving) pushed through ArKids First... a Medicaid program to help insure the supposed large number of uninsured children who were somehow being deprived of health care. The program has grown massively, year after year. Doctors/Pediatricians are overloaded, kids going to the HOSPITAL ER for sore throats, tummy aches, headaches, rash, etc.... Stuff that we use to be able to just bandage at home, or call the Dr. and get advice about... now they run to a medical provider fore EVERYTHING. And all for essentially nothing out of the pockets of the parents (or whoever is responsible for the child).

We can no longer buy a insurance like I grew up with. A deductible, then the insurance paid 80/20 for most "necessary and reasonable treatments". No "co-pay" for doctor's office visits. You paid that totally out-of-pocket (it counted against your annual deductible). Even in the mid-late 80's going to the Dr. and seeing a total bill for an office visit at $45-60. I once had a small procedure done on a toe in my Dr.'s office - the bill was $75. Dad just wrote a check (I was a college student). But we can't do that any more... why? Because a basic office visit is well above $100 (the Dr. has to cover his expenses - from malpractice, to compliance with regulations and paperwork, as well as covering his losses for those he never gets paid for). Many consumers, even so-called "middle-class" can't just whip out $120-150 to go hear "take a couple of ibuprofen and check back if you don't start to feel better". So insurance now essentially is mandated to have some low "co-pay" - $15-30 on average. So again, utilization goes up - insurance rates go up to cover that expense.

So we now are going to give medical coverage (mandate) for folks regardless of if they can afford it or not. Utilization WILL go up, yet compliance costs for medical providers will also escalate. Private insurance companies being forced to cover pre-existing conditions without exception, caps on premiums and premium differentials based on risks (weight, prior health conditions, age, etc.). Guess what happens when the insurance companies can no longer turn a profit... Yep - more folks will be relying on the government...

And anyone who cannot see this for what it is - a massive power grab, not a push for better and more affordable health care, is what Moochelle said of those who disagree with her husband - "they are confused"...

Climbing down from my soap box.....

[BlatherNaut]

With the ‘executive order’ pen at the ready,

and the Veto...

the ONLY way to isolate Obama is to remove him from office via the ballot box. A GOP congress means nothing unfortunately.

Of course.

He'll just ignore or override them and continue on his merry way. And no one will dare stop him, lest they be called "RACIST"!

[so_real]

If the "setting" is one in which each State decides for itself (which is what Romney has said and I'll believe him for now), that's a good thing.

Romney has said a number of things, on all sides of all issues. But the fact remains, the POTUS cannot implement a state-by-state-independent health care system from the Executive Office. That would fall under the purview of the state legislatures and governorships. Romney's intention at a federal level, therefore, must be a nationalized system. It can be no other way. And again, "a little" socialism is the same thing as "a lot" of socialism before it was given time to grow. If we repeal and do not replace, we do not nurture the little socialism. If we repeal and replace it, we give it time to grow.

[BlatherNaut]

I'd say the odds of impeachment or arrest are getting better every day.

Impeachment really diminished old Billy-Boy (not!).

In the human cesspool that comprises the Democrat Party, impeachment is a trivial matter.

[ejonesie22]

Yes, Republican socialism has always been better than Democratic socialism...

[what's up]

Romney's intention at a federal level, therefore, must be a nationalized system

Not true.

Romney's intention may be to encourage a State-by-State approach by:

A) repealing Obamacare to give States room and

B) using the bully pulpit to encourage States to take up the project (along with other social programs I might add).

He can also do things like talk up tort reform and HSA's.

Obviously, a President can do much to increase freedom. Just because he's a Federal official does not mean his hands are tied in this regard.

[bkepley]

>Yes, Republican socialism has always been better than Democratic socialism...

That’s right. There is a BIG difference between the left wing of the Republican party and the left wing of the Democratic party.

[KentTrappedInLiberalSeattle]

[Varsity Flight]

College, non-health care, permanent-lifetime rental housing payments, and now free blank check to so called “insurance companies”, equity holders of so called “banks”, inventors of no real collateral instruments.

All to be backstopped by the productive assets, or forced work.

Extortion-Care, the new American Gestapo, the plan to condition. No real Ownership, HillaryRomney.

[Starstruck]

You DO pay for ROMNEYcare, it’s funded by FEDERAL money which PRESUMABLY includes your TAX DOLLARS.

If that is true who fault is it? Sounds like something Congress passed. Who voted for the money I am having to pay for Romneycare. Was it Romney? Do other states get to participate in the same fund?

[Lakeshark]

The idea that Romney is going to change and govern as a conservative is an absurd expectation

It most certainly is, but so is the idea that he will be as bad, or even remotely as bad as the most egregiously destructive, lawless, pro-Marxist, pro-muzzie, pro-death, anti-free enterprise, anti-American, anti-everything we love and care for administration ever.

[BlatherNaut]

Sounds like something Congress passed. Who voted for the money I am having to pay for Romneycare. Was it Romney? Do other states get to participate in the same fund?

Medicaid & Medicare

[Random_User_250]

Ah great... just when I was starting to like the guy, he has to go out and remind me of who he really is.

We are so screwed. More so with Obama than Romney, but still...

[ejonesie22]

Not anymore really...

[Starstruck]

Medicaid & Medicare

I guess if it wasn't for Romneycare I wouldn't have to pay for these. /s

Not directed toward you Blather.

[Diogenesis]

Your HATE is showing, Sudetenland.

Only YOU and Mr. RomneyCARE, author of DEATH PANELS,
support Obama. Here are 2 examples from 2011.
What do you have, ObamaBOT/RomneyBOT Sudetenland?

“White House Quotes Romney in Defense of Health Care”

---

Mitt Romney Sends Leftover Pizza to Obama Chicago HQ
After spending the day in Chicago fundraising, Mitt Romney
sat down with small business owners at Gino's East,
a pizza joint famous for their deep-dish pizza.
In fact, Romney himself tweeted a photo of a
delivery boy heading out with the loot, writing,
"Great deep dish at @ginoseast.
Sending the extra slices to @barackobama and his Chicago HQ team."

[Diogenesis]

Your HATE is showing, Sudetenland.

Only YOU and Mr. RomneyCARE, author of RomneyCARE/ObamaCARE,
support Obama. Here are examples from 2012.
What do you have, ObamaBOT/RomneyBOT Sudetenland?

Romney: U.S. economy ‘getting better’ under Obama

---

RINO Romney:

Romney: "Obama was born in the United States"

Romney: "Obama Doesn’t Need a Birth Certificate"

Romney: "The citizenship test has been passed"