What Was the Point of Winning the Election?

[bilo]

Nearly every member of the Republican caucus campaigned on repealing Obamacare and told voters they were “constitutional conservatives.” Nothing they’ve done since would lead anyone to believe either claim was true.

If there’s positive about the process around the AHCA, it’s that so far it is moving slowly. Unlike Obamacare’s passage, Republicans have been transparent. Unfortunately what they’ve cooked up so far is transparently awful. It’s time to scrap the patch and unleash the free market.

Unless the AHCA is fundamentally transformed to the point states are free to experiment, the market is free to function, and individuals are free to make their own choices, everything we have been told will have been a lie, the whole thing should be scrapped and Obamacare allowed to collapse. Both parties will be blamed, and both parties will be to blame.

A golden opportunity in the cause of liberty will have been squandered because, after seven years of talk, Republicans could not do the one thing they told us they would; the reason they were in the position to disappoint us in the first place. It’s time to start over and do it right – if Speaker Ryan and the rest of Republican leadership actually have it in them to do what they’ve campaigned on.

https://townhall.com/columnists/derekhunter/2017/03/19/what-was-the-point-of-winning-the-election-n2301048

[bilo]

I'm trying to be patient, but enough is enough. As the author says "What Was the Point of Winning the Election?".

[Emjay]

I'm trying to be patient, but enough is enough. As the author says "What Was the Point of Winning the Election?".

After elections are over, there are only a few things you can do.  You can call/write your congresspersons ...you can express yourself on social media and you can write letters to the editor.

It's frustrating.  But why do people forget and forgive the next time these morons run for election?  We need to put a stop to that.

[bilo]

After elections are over, there are only a few things you can do.  You can call/write your congresspersons ...you can express yourself on social media and you can write letters to the editor.

It's frustrating.  But why do people forget and forgive the next time these morons run for election?  We need to put a stop to that.

You're right.

I didn't vote for Trump because of his behavior and I didn't believe he could be trusted to do what he promised. I did vote for all the other Pubs on the ballot because I did believe they could be trusted to do what they promised. I regularly give contributions to conservative candidates as well. It looks like I have no one to support in the future because no one serving represents me. I know this could change, but I don't see Trump advocating a true repeal and the House Pubs have no backbone. At this point it looks like the Pubs will screw up their opportunity and the Rats will make big gains in 2018.

[XenaLee]

Nearly every member of the Republican caucus campaigned on repealing Obamacare and told voters they were “constitutional conservatives.”
If there’s positive about the process around the AHCA, it’s that so far it is moving slowly. Unlike Obamacare’s passage, Republicans have been transparent. Unfortunately what they’ve cooked up so far is transparently awful. It’s time to scrap the patch and unleash the free market.Nothing they’ve done since would lead anyone to believe either claim was true.


Unless the AHCA is fundamentally transformed to the point states are free to experiment, the market is free to function, and individuals are free to make their own choices, everything we have been told will have been a lie, the whole thing should be scrapped and Obamacare allowed to collapse. Both parties will be blamed, and both parties will be to blame.

A golden opportunity in the cause of liberty will have been squandered because, after seven years of talk, Republicans could not do the one thing they told us they would; the reason they were in the position to disappoint us in the first place. It’s time to start over and do it right – if Speaker Ryan and the rest of Republican leadership actually have it in them to do what they’ve campaigned on.

https://townhall.com/columnists/derekhunter/2017/03/19/what-was-the-point-of-winning-the-election-n2301048

Well I wouldn't say 'nothing'.   One can tell how much they/Trump has done by gauging the howls and screams of outrage coming from the idiot left since January 20.  However, if (and note, I did say "if".... since one really can't go by or believe anything out of lamestream media)....

it's true about the TrumpCare the GOP is now pushing, then we are being fed yet another crap sandwich, only this time it's loaded with Grey Poupon instead of plain Heinz mustard.  If their new and brilliant plan, which they had YEARS to come up with, really does penalize and target older folks like it says in this article and in others I have read, then that's age discrimination (supposedly illegal) and it's going in the exact 'other' wrong direction.  How stupid, really, would the GOP have to be?  Or.... is it something else that's causing it....?  Yeah.... I posit that it's that something 'else'.   And we've been had.  AGAIN.

On top of that, the GOP plan allows insurers to charge older people five times what they charge younger customers, compared to three times under Obama's health care law.

https://www.yahoo.com/finance/news/many-older-americans-costs-rise-131227123.html

[bilo]

Well I wouldn't say 'nothing'.   One can tell how much they/Trump has done by gauging the howls and screams of outrage coming from the idiot left since January 20.  However, if (and note, I did say "if".... since one really can't go by or believe anything out of lamestream media)....

it's true about the TrumpCare the GOP is now pushing, then we are being fed yet another crap sandwich, only this time it's loaded with Grey Poupon instead of plain Heinz mustard.  If their new and brilliant plan, which they had YEARS to come up with, really does penalize and target older folks like it says in this article and in others I have read, then that's age discrimination (supposedly illegal) and it's going in the exact 'other' wrong direction.  How stupid, really, would the GOP have to be?  Or.... is it something else that's causing it....?  Yeah.... I posit that it's that something 'else'.   And we've been had.  AGAIN.

https://www.yahoo.com/finance/news/many-older-americans-costs-rise-131227123.html

I don't mind moving away from younger people underwriting part of the cost of older peoples insurance. What I do want is freedom. The freedom to buy the insurance that I want, or to not buy it. I want the same benefit that larger businesses have of deducting the cost of the insurance. I want the freedom to shop across state lines to buy my health insurance. I don't want Medicaid to be transformed into the insurance that all self employed people will have to buy because all the private insurers get out of the individual market.

[libertybele]

After elections are over, there are only a few things you can do.  You can call/write your congresspersons ...you can express yourself on social media and you can write letters to the editor.

It's frustrating.  But why do people forget and forgive the next time these morons run for election?  We need to put a stop to that.

Also keep in mind that many of our representatives have local offices and they do visit their local offices once in a while... gathering a small group to visit them when they're in their home office I have found is a bit more effective than writing or emailing ...phone calls seem to help as well.

But yes, you are correct ... bottom line is to vote the idiots out of office.  However, the flip side to that is; hopefully someone is running that is worth replacing them with otherwise it becomes having to chose from the lesser of two evils which seems to happen more so than not.

[IsailedawayfromFR]

After elections are over, there are only a few things you can do.  You can call/write your congresspersons ...you can express yourself on social media and you can write letters to the editor.

It's frustrating.  But why do people forget and forgive the next time these morons run for election?  We need to put a stop to that.

How about packing town halls with a thousand supporters like the Dems do?

That attracts media coverage, hence the reason it is done.

[txradioguy]

The fatal mistake Congress is making is trying to find a replacement for a bad piece of legislation and come up with a not as bad as the last idea bill that in the end will be as bad as Obamacare.

Just repeal the damn thing and be done. What needs to be written would fit on a single piece of paper.

[Hoodat]

I'm trying to be patient, but enough is enough. As the author says "What Was the Point of Winning the Election?".

Conservatives didn't win the election.  Instead, we got a guy who said during the campaign that he liked the Obamacare mandates and who two years prior helped Mitch McConnell fight off a TEA Party challenge.

One night in July last year, I lost all hope of government getting out of the health insurance market after witnessing a Conservative getting booed while giving a Conservative speech at a Republican gathering.

[bilo]

Conservatives didn't win the election.  Instead, we got a guy who said during the campaign that he liked the Obamacare mandates and who two years prior helped Mitch McConnell fight off a TEA Party challenge.

One night in July last year, I lost all hope of government getting out of the health insurance market after witnessing a Conservative getting booed while giving a Conservative speech at a Republican gathering.

You're probably right. What the "geniuses in DC" don't get is if they screw up repealing obamacare they will fail with most of the rest of the agenda.

I know I will never vote, or give a contribution, to a Pub again if they screw this up.

[Chosen Daughter]

You're right.

I didn't vote for Trump because of his behavior and I didn't believe he could be trusted to do what he promised. I did vote for all the other Pubs on the ballot because I did believe they could be trusted to do what they promised. I regularly give contributions to conservative candidates as well. It looks like I have no one to support in the future because no one serving represents me. I know this could change, but I don't see Trump advocating a true repeal and the House Pubs have no backbone. At this point it looks like the Pubs will screw up their opportunity and the Rats will make big gains in 2018.

Yep that's what I see happening.

[Smokin Joe]

You're right.

At this point it looks like the Pubs will screw up their opportunity and the Rats will make big gains in 2018.

If the primary challenges for the Members from the useless branch of the GOP (GOPu?) don't work, the Dems might win back some seats. This is the same GOPe slap in the face that the TEA party folks got, writ larger. The time for excuses is over.

[Smokin Joe]

Also keep in mind that many of our representatives have local offices and they do visit their local offices once in a while... gathering a small group to visit them when they're in their home office I have found is a bit more effective than writing or emailing ...phone calls seem to help as well.

But yes, you are correct ... bottom line is to vote the idiots out of office.  However, the flip side to that is; hopefully someone is running that is worth replacing them with otherwise it becomes having to chose from the lesser of two evils which seems to happen more so than not.

Yep. Nearest "local" office is 140 miles away.

[Formerly Once-Ler]

The point was that the USA doesn't win anymore, but Trump knows how to win.  Screw conservative dogma and hop aboard the Trump train and watch soo much winning you will get sick of it.  So shut the hell up and enjoy it America.  This is what you wanted.

[Jazzhead]

Conservatives didn't win the election.  Instead, we got a guy who said during the campaign that he liked the Obamacare mandates and who two years prior helped Mitch McConnell fight off a TEA Party challenge.

That's correct.   Conservatives have more influence than before,  but not enough for their hare-brained scheme of just repealing the ACA and letting ordinary Americans pick up the wreckage. 

The pragmatic AHCA means the GOP is doing its job, in the face of a polarized political climate where not one single Democratic can be counted on to support changes to a failed, jobs-killing albatross.    Expect to see the ACA tweaked,  to provide more refundable tax credit support to the poor and the old,  and little if any to the young who aren't poor.   That's as it should be.  And I agree with conservatives that more choices in the marketplace are essential.  But the first step is getting rid of the mandates enforced by the Tax Code, and their replacement by free-rider penalties enforced by the insurance companies themselves.   That can be done by means of tax reconciliation without Dem support so long as the GOP can remain united.   Conservatives need to take this one for the team.       

[Jazzhead]

The time for excuses is over.

The time for taking responsibility is here.   Conservatives who obstruct are just as much a menace as liberals who obstruct.   

[EC]

Also keep in mind that many of our representatives have local offices and they do visit their local offices once in a while... gathering a small group to visit them when they're in their home office I have found is a bit more effective than writing or emailing ...phone calls seem to help as well.

Want to make sure your emails and calls get brought to the attention of your rep, rather than form lettered and circular filed by some underling?

Write to them now. Thank them for something - anything really, but if it's something they've been given flak over, so much better.
Do it again in a week or so. Repeat a third time a couple weeks later. Gets you put on a separate list from those who only write or call to complain - and when you do complain (or make a suggestion) it actually gets passed through.

[Rivergirl]

The same group of people who wanted obamaphones, mortgages paid, and cash from Obama's stash, voted for their new sugar daddy.  The results will be the same. 

[Jazzhead]

The same group of people who wanted obamaphones, mortgages paid, and cash from Obama's stash, voted for their new sugar daddy.  The results will be the same.

C'mon, enough with this intellectual laziness.   The AHCA will get rid the IRS out of the business of asking both individuals and businesses to file tax returns reporting health insurance coverage.  No one will be "forced" to purchase insurance they don't want.   How will "the results be the same"?     

[Smokin Joe]

The time for taking responsibility is here.   

Is it now? THEN TAKE IT. You liberals made this mess and now you are desperate to 'save' it.

Conservatives who obstruct are just as much a menace as liberals who obstruct.   

Menace, am I? Well, Jazzy, at least the mask is off. What's next? The summer camp roundup? Train rides?

Conservatives WILL obstruct Liberalism. It's what we do.

It is my DUTY to do all that I can to stop the destruction of this Republic, and if that means you and I are on different sides, so be it.
I'd rather go down fighting against the faux-cons and other liberals if we can't prevail. If you choose to be with them, that's your call.

[DCPatriot]

C'mon, enough with this intellectual laziness.   The AHCA will get rid the IRS out of the business of asking both individuals and businesses to file tax returns reporting health insurance coverage.  No one will be "forced" to purchase insurance they don't want.   How will "the results be the same"?   

The 'Repeal' and replacement of our health insurance system will be the vehicle that destroys the Democrat Party.

President Trump will publicly call for the primary of ALL Congressmen and Senators who vote against his plan.

Coming on the heels that, indeed, the Democrats made up the Putin/Trump association, it won't be that difficult for him to do.

And if the GOPe doesn't behave itself, and support the Republican POTUS, we're going to see the birth of the Constitution Party.

[Smokin Joe]

C'mon, enough with this intellectual laziness.   The AHCA will get rid the IRS out of the business of asking both individuals and businesses to file tax returns reporting health insurance coverage.  No one will be "forced" to purchase insurance they don't want.   How will "the results be the same"?   

The people who lost their coverage will still be without. The people who lost full time jobs will be without. The people who shut down their businesses in the face of Obamacare will still be without. The people who lost wages because their hours were cut will still be without. Premiums three times what people paid previously will still be ridiculously high. Deductibles that doubled or more won't go down. et fricking cetera. For the responsible person who had been paying their own way, they'll still be screwed.

Get rid of Obamacare and let the markets recover.

[Smokin Joe]

And if the GOPe doesn't behave itself, and support the Republican POTUS, we're going to see the birth of the Constitution Party.

There already IS a Constitution Party. I voted for their guy for POTUS.

[massadvj]

It’s time to scrap the patch and unleash the free market.

Even without Obamacare the free market is so fettered by Medicare and Medicaid that prices are out of line with what the average person can reasonably afford.  Scrapping Medicare would be a good idea, since it mainly benefits people with higher wealth, but it is politically impossible.  So politicians are stuck with patching up a "patient" whose illness was caused by the politicians themselves.

I am inclined to be in favor of anything that moves in the right direction insofar as making the system more accountable to market forces.

As far as the point of winning the election, if Gorsuch ends up on the SCOTUS then it will have been worth it.  Anything else that happens will be gravy.