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Thursday, September 26, 2013
Wednesday, September 25, 2013
Final Word On Obamacare Coverage: Cheaper Than Expected
www.talkingpointsmemo.com/dc/final-word-on-obamacare-coverage-cheaper-than-expected
"On average, people will have a choice of 56 different insurance plans -- depending on which state you live in, though, that figure could range from seven (in Alabama) to 106 (in Arizona). The average number of insurers in a state is eight, though that again ranges from one to 13 in different states.
As for premiums, before tax credits kick in, they will average 16 percent below the Congressional Budget Office's original estimates for a silver-level plan (which covers 70 percent of costs). The number of insurers in a state is directly tied to how low premiums will be, Lambrew noted. Arizona, with an average of 106 plans to choose from, had the second-lowest average premiums for a 27-year-old adult: $166 a month. Wyoming, with an average of 16 plans, had the highest average premium at $342 a month.
But then the tax credits take effect. Those knock the premium for that 27-year-old, projected to earn $25,000, down to $145 in most states. For a family of four making $50,000, the credits take the premium price down from more than $1,000 in some states to $282.
The numbers before and after tax credits drop even further for bronze-level plans (which cover 60 percent of costs), often below $100 on average when tax credits are accounted for."
"On average, people will have a choice of 56 different insurance plans -- depending on which state you live in, though, that figure could range from seven (in Alabama) to 106 (in Arizona). The average number of insurers in a state is eight, though that again ranges from one to 13 in different states.
As for premiums, before tax credits kick in, they will average 16 percent below the Congressional Budget Office's original estimates for a silver-level plan (which covers 70 percent of costs). The number of insurers in a state is directly tied to how low premiums will be, Lambrew noted. Arizona, with an average of 106 plans to choose from, had the second-lowest average premiums for a 27-year-old adult: $166 a month. Wyoming, with an average of 16 plans, had the highest average premium at $342 a month.
But then the tax credits take effect. Those knock the premium for that 27-year-old, projected to earn $25,000, down to $145 in most states. For a family of four making $50,000, the credits take the premium price down from more than $1,000 in some states to $282.
The numbers before and after tax credits drop even further for bronze-level plans (which cover 60 percent of costs), often below $100 on average when tax credits are accounted for."
Ball On Conservatives Opposing Obamacare
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How House Republicans Are Preaching A False Gospel About Food Stamps
How House Republicans Are Preaching A False Gospel About Food Stamps: Conservative religious arguments against food stamps run afoul of faith leaders, scripture, and facts.
John McCain Defends Obamacare, Slams Ted Cruz For Comparing Implementation To Nazi Appeasement
John McCain Defends Obamacare, Slams Ted Cruz For Comparing Implementation To Nazi Appeasement: Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) gave a forceful response to Texas Republican Ted Cruz's lengthy diatribe against the Affordable Care Act on Wednesday.
Top Nevada GOPer Brags 2014 Will Be ‘A Great Year For Republicans’ Because Minorities Won’t Vote
Top Nevada GOPer Brags 2014 Will Be ‘A Great Year For Republicans’ Because Minorities Won’t Vote: "Meanwhile, the five Republicans on the Supreme Court gave an assist to many of these voter suppression efforts when they struck down a key prong of the Voting Rights Act last summer. Although that decision will not impact Nevada, which was not covered by the Voting Rights Act’s “preclearance” requirement, Republicans in other states announced plans to move forward with voter suppression laws within hours of the Supreme Court’s decision."
Arizona Republicans File Lawsuit To Make Congressional Gerrymandering Even Worse
Arizona Republicans File Lawsuit To Make Congressional Gerrymandering Even Worse: Democratic House candidates won more nearly 1.4 million more votes than Republicans last November, yet Republicans control the House. Arizona Republicans have a plan to make the House even less democratic.
Cruz A Spectacle With Faux Filibuster
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DC Republicans in Full Panic Mode: Obamacare Will Be Hugely Popular and There's Little the GOP Can Do to Stop It | Alternet
DC Republicans in Full Panic Mode: Obamacare Will Be Hugely Popular and There's Little the GOP Can Do to Stop It | Alternet
"Thus, their posturing, such as Texas Sen. Ted Cruz’s latest bill for complete defunding and his Tuesday filibuster, needs to be seen as the old cliché it is: a desperate measure for their desperate time.
"Thus, their posturing, such as Texas Sen. Ted Cruz’s latest bill for complete defunding and his Tuesday filibuster, needs to be seen as the old cliché it is: a desperate measure for their desperate time.
What’s scaring Republicans is that the president’s most significant domestic initiative is about to hit prime time. Starting October 1, it is poised to start delivering on its central promise, which is giving millions of Americans more and cheaper choices to buy health insurance."
Tuesday, September 24, 2013
Why Ted Cruz’s Anti-Obamacare Grandstanding Doesn’t Matter At All
Why Ted Cruz’s Anti-Obamacare Grandstanding Doesn’t Matter At All: It's not going to do anything to undermine Obamacare -- and it's distracting you from the GOP-led policies that actually are.
GOP rebranding effort is officially dead
GOP rebranding effort is officially dead
"Republicans will go to the electorate in 2014 and perhaps again in 2016, without anything new or different or improved to offer an increasingly liberal electorate."
"Republicans will go to the electorate in 2014 and perhaps again in 2016, without anything new or different or improved to offer an increasingly liberal electorate."
It's the Austerity, Stupid: How We Were Sold an Economy-Killing Lie
www.motherjones.com/politics/2013/09/austerity-reinhart-rogoff-stimulus-debt-ceiling
"Austerity is working out fine for the 1 percent: Their jobs are safe, their investments are growing, and their taxes are low. But the rest of us are paying a high price in the form of slow growth, high unemployment, and stagnant wages for years to come. All things considered, we've been remarkably tolerant of our fate. The folks who run the world might do well to ponder how long that's going to last."
"Austerity is working out fine for the 1 percent: Their jobs are safe, their investments are growing, and their taxes are low. But the rest of us are paying a high price in the form of slow growth, high unemployment, and stagnant wages for years to come. All things considered, we've been remarkably tolerant of our fate. The folks who run the world might do well to ponder how long that's going to last."
Afghanistan War Veteran Slams Republicans For Cutting Food Stamps In Epic Letter
www.addictinginfo.org/2013/09/24/afghanistan-war-veteran-slams-republicans-for-cutting-food-stamps-in-epic-letter/
"The current crop of conservatives in Congress care nothing for anyone but themselves. They are selfish individuals who want to see America and the federal government burn to the ground."
"The current crop of conservatives in Congress care nothing for anyone but themselves. They are selfish individuals who want to see America and the federal government burn to the ground."
Failed GOP Obamacare Stunt Makes Cruz Pariah
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20 White Males from the Power Elite Who Belong in the American Hall of Shame | Alternet
20 White Males from the Power Elite Who Belong in the American Hall of Shame | Alternet
"Out of 300 million Americans, a few thousand wield disproportionate economic and political influence because of their positions at the pinnacle of America's corporate and media establishments or their roles as political allies (or puppets) of the corporate ruling class."
"Out of 300 million Americans, a few thousand wield disproportionate economic and political influence because of their positions at the pinnacle of America's corporate and media establishments or their roles as political allies (or puppets) of the corporate ruling class."
Cruz Commits 'Legislative Arson'
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Monday, September 23, 2013
Washington Healthplanfinder
www.wahealthplanfinder.org/
For Washington residents who currently do not have affordable, quality health insurance the first place to look for insurance is at the Washington Health Benefit Exchange, also called the Washington Healthplanfinder. While the exchange officially opens for business on October 1, you can search their website today at wahealthplanfinder.org or you can call for information or to ask questions at 1-855-WAFINDER (1-855-923-4633) or TTY/TDD 1-855-627-9604.
Some additional online resources include:
· The federal government has its own marketplace website called the Federal Health Insurance Marketplace at HealthCare.gov
· Medicaid eligibility has been expanded so you might want to look at Medicaid Coverage at medicaid.gov
· If you need insurance for children DSHS provides through Apple Health for Kids at hca.wa.gov/applehealth/
For Washington residents who currently do not have affordable, quality health insurance the first place to look for insurance is at the Washington Health Benefit Exchange, also called the Washington Healthplanfinder. While the exchange officially opens for business on October 1, you can search their website today at wahealthplanfinder.org or you can call for information or to ask questions at 1-855-WAFINDER (1-855-923-4633) or TTY/TDD 1-855-627-9604.
Some additional online resources include:
· The federal government has its own marketplace website called the Federal Health Insurance Marketplace at HealthCare.gov
· Medicaid eligibility has been expanded so you might want to look at Medicaid Coverage at medicaid.gov
· If you need insurance for children DSHS provides through Apple Health for Kids at hca.wa.gov/applehealth/
Latest Budget Crisis Is Another Product of Conservative Media Hucksterism
www.mediamatters.org/blog/2013/09/23/latest-budget-crisis-is-another-product-of-cons/196034
"Hawking shady products - gold coins sold at a 30-percent markup, "survival seeds," and financial newsletters only designed to enrich their authors -- has long been the core strategy of funding the conservative media enterprise.
"Hawking shady products - gold coins sold at a 30-percent markup, "survival seeds," and financial newsletters only designed to enrich their authors -- has long been the core strategy of funding the conservative media enterprise.
But the deleterious effect of the latest conservative media scam threatens to be far greater than a tube of seeds that will yield no fruit.
The conservative media, along with Senators Ted Cruz (R-TX) and Mike Lee (R-UT), have conned their base into believing that shutting down the government -- unless Barack Obama agrees to stop the implementation of Obamacare -- is a strategically and politically salient idea for the GOP and the conservative movement. Senator Richard Burr (R-NC) earlier this summer dubbed it "the dumbest idea I've ever heard"."
Add It Up: The Average American Family Pays $6,000 a Year in Subsidies to Big Business | Common Dreams
Add It Up: The Average American Family Pays $6,000 a Year in Subsidies to Big Business | Common Dreams
"Overall, American families are paying an annual $6,000 subsidy to corporations that havedoubled their profits and cut their taxes in half in ten years while cutting 2.9 million jobs in the U.S. and adding almost as many jobs overseas.
This is more than an insult. It's a devastating attack on the livelihoods of tens of millions of American families. And Congress just lets it happen."
"Overall, American families are paying an annual $6,000 subsidy to corporations that havedoubled their profits and cut their taxes in half in ten years while cutting 2.9 million jobs in the U.S. and adding almost as many jobs overseas.
This is more than an insult. It's a devastating attack on the livelihoods of tens of millions of American families. And Congress just lets it happen."
Saturday, September 21, 2013
Wingnuts Cheer Impending Government Shutdown While Obama Cleans Their Clocks
Wingnuts Cheer Impending Government Shutdown While Obama Cleans Their Clocks
"Republicans don't seem to understand that Obamacare under any other name is called affordable access to health care for millions who don't have it right now. That name is one that polls well, which terrifies Republicans, because they understand that once it's in effect, people will actually like it."
"Republicans don't seem to understand that Obamacare under any other name is called affordable access to health care for millions who don't have it right now. That name is one that polls well, which terrifies Republicans, because they understand that once it's in effect, people will actually like it."
Rep. Huelskamp, Whose Family Takes Government Farm Subsidies, Mocks Food Stamp Recipients | Right Wing Watch
Rep. Huelskamp, Whose Family Takes Government Farm Subsidies, Mocks Food Stamp Recipients | Right Wing Watch
"Rep. Tim Huelskamp (R-KS), who bravely opposed federal aid to all those greedy Northeasterners affected by Hurricane Sandy, is now boasting about his support for a House GOP plan to kick four to six million people off the food stamp program."
"Rep. Tim Huelskamp (R-KS), who bravely opposed federal aid to all those greedy Northeasterners affected by Hurricane Sandy, is now boasting about his support for a House GOP plan to kick four to six million people off the food stamp program."
GOP Preys On Weak, Hides Behind Religion
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House GOP Didn't Get Pope’s Memo On Poor Before Slashing Food Stamps | Alternet
House GOP Didn't Get Pope’s Memo On Poor Before Slashing Food Stamps | Alternet
"There’s nothing new about the House GOP’s war on America’s poor. They want people to go hungry. They want to deny people healthcare. Those were the bottom lines in votes on Thursday and Friday."
"There’s nothing new about the House GOP’s war on America’s poor. They want people to go hungry. They want to deny people healthcare. Those were the bottom lines in votes on Thursday and Friday."
Friday, September 20, 2013
Ted Cruz’s origins continue to haunt him
Ted Cruz’s origins continue to haunt him
"Believe it or not, it looks like Sen. Ted Cruz is still a Canadian citizen. Although it has now been over a month since he promised to renounce his Canadian citizenship – which he obtained by virtue of his birth in Calgary, Alberta – there has been no indication (whether press release, statement or otherwise) announcing that he has followed through on the commitment."
"Believe it or not, it looks like Sen. Ted Cruz is still a Canadian citizen. Although it has now been over a month since he promised to renounce his Canadian citizenship – which he obtained by virtue of his birth in Calgary, Alberta – there has been no indication (whether press release, statement or otherwise) announcing that he has followed through on the commitment."
It's Time For Some Straight Talk About the GOP Budget
It's Time For Some Straight Talk About the GOP Budget
"When it comes to the economy, the White House is talking tough to the Republicans ... about the debt ceiling. It's true that the threat to shut down the government by refusing to honor its debt obligations is downright un-American. The Administration's right to call them out for that. But there's a larger question: Who's going to give the American people some straight talk about the GOP's economic ideas?
"When it comes to the economy, the White House is talking tough to the Republicans ... about the debt ceiling. It's true that the threat to shut down the government by refusing to honor its debt obligations is downright un-American. The Administration's right to call them out for that. But there's a larger question: Who's going to give the American people some straight talk about the GOP's economic ideas?
Forget the debt ceiling for a moment, if you can. Forget the GOP's attempt to shut down the government over the Affordable Care Act. Who is going to explain to the American people how profoundly misguided, and even immoral, the Republicans' entire economic agenda has become?"
House Republicans Heartless Food Stamp Cuts
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The Crazy Party | Common Dreams
The Crazy Party | Common Dreams
"So now we get to witness the hilarious spectacle of Karl Rove in The Wall Street Journal, pleading with Republicans to recognize the reality that Obamacare can’t be defunded. Why hilarious? Because Mr. Rove and his colleagues have spent decades trying to ensure that the Republican base lives in an alternate reality defined by Rush Limbaugh and Fox News."
"So now we get to witness the hilarious spectacle of Karl Rove in The Wall Street Journal, pleading with Republicans to recognize the reality that Obamacare can’t be defunded. Why hilarious? Because Mr. Rove and his colleagues have spent decades trying to ensure that the Republican base lives in an alternate reality defined by Rush Limbaugh and Fox News."
Republicans Block Science Laureate Vote Over Fear of Climate Stance | Alternet
Republicans Block Science Laureate Vote Over Fear of Climate Stance | Alternet
"It seemed entirely harmless: the creation of an honorary and unpaid position of science laureate of the United States to travel around the country and inspire children to be future scientists.
"It seemed entirely harmless: the creation of an honorary and unpaid position of science laureate of the United States to travel around the country and inspire children to be future scientists.
But Republicans in Congress last week quashed the initiative, which had gained rare bipartisan support, on the grounds that a science laureate might support action on climate change."
Low-Income Preschoolers, Cancer Patients Take Hit In GOP Budget Extension
Low-Income Preschoolers, Cancer Patients Take Hit In GOP Budget Extension:
"Republicans have consistently threatened to shut down the government by refusing to pass a continuing resolution unless they got spending cuts, and nearly every time an extension has been passed since 2010 spending has been reduced. In fact, Congress has already enacted about $2.4 trillion in deficit reduction since the beginning of fiscal year 2011, 72 percent of which has come from spending cuts. Inflation-adjusted discretionary spending is now lower than the last two years of the Bush administration. The deficit has also fallen to the lowest level since 2008."
"Republicans have consistently threatened to shut down the government by refusing to pass a continuing resolution unless they got spending cuts, and nearly every time an extension has been passed since 2010 spending has been reduced. In fact, Congress has already enacted about $2.4 trillion in deficit reduction since the beginning of fiscal year 2011, 72 percent of which has come from spending cuts. Inflation-adjusted discretionary spending is now lower than the last two years of the Bush administration. The deficit has also fallen to the lowest level since 2008."
Peter King: Ted Cruz Should Keep Quiet
Peter King: Ted Cruz Should Keep Quiet
" It seems Rep. Peter King isn't too impressed with Sen. Ted Cruz's grandstanding on defunding "Obamacare," or the senator telling the House how they should conduct their business."
" It seems Rep. Peter King isn't too impressed with Sen. Ted Cruz's grandstanding on defunding "Obamacare," or the senator telling the House how they should conduct their business."
Thursday, September 19, 2013
The Cruz Missile Hits The GOP
The Cruz Missile Hits The GOP
"Republicans created Dr. Cruzenstein and now they seem shocked that he’s he’s walking around (1) looking like an idiot, and (2) taking all their money."
"Republicans created Dr. Cruzenstein and now they seem shocked that he’s he’s walking around (1) looking like an idiot, and (2) taking all their money."
Cruz Plays Chicken With Obamacare
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Report: For Millions, Insurance Will Cost Less Than $100/Month
Report: For Millions, Insurance Will Cost Less Than $100/Month
"About 6.4 million Americans eligible to buy insurance through the new health exchanges will pay $100 or less a month in premiums because of tax subsidies, according to a Department of Health and Human Services report released this week."
"About 6.4 million Americans eligible to buy insurance through the new health exchanges will pay $100 or less a month in premiums because of tax subsidies, according to a Department of Health and Human Services report released this week."
PERRspectives: GOP Blocks Health Insurance for 11 Million in 2014
PERRspectives: GOP Blocks Health Insurance for 11 Million in 2014
"As other studies have warned, the state-by-state numbers are shocking. In Texas, Governor Rick Perry denounced Obamacare Medicaid expansion as a "fool's errand." But his foolishness in opting out means an extra 1.9 million Texans will needlessly go without health insurance in state where 24 percent of all residents--and 30 percent between the ages of 18 and 64--lack coverage. In Florida, where the GOP legislature is rebuffing Republican Governor Rick Scott's choice to accept the windfall from Washington, another million residents will be left uncovered. (In contrast, over 300,000 more Arizonans will gain insurance, thanks to a rare showing of common sense by Governor Jan Brewer.) Next door neighbors Minnesota and Wisconsin provide another useful case study. While Democrat Mark Dayton will be cutting the ranks of the uninsured by almost half in his state, in Madison Republican Scott Walker is leaving an estimated 182,000 folks out in the cold."
"As other studies have warned, the state-by-state numbers are shocking. In Texas, Governor Rick Perry denounced Obamacare Medicaid expansion as a "fool's errand." But his foolishness in opting out means an extra 1.9 million Texans will needlessly go without health insurance in state where 24 percent of all residents--and 30 percent between the ages of 18 and 64--lack coverage. In Florida, where the GOP legislature is rebuffing Republican Governor Rick Scott's choice to accept the windfall from Washington, another million residents will be left uncovered. (In contrast, over 300,000 more Arizonans will gain insurance, thanks to a rare showing of common sense by Governor Jan Brewer.) Next door neighbors Minnesota and Wisconsin provide another useful case study. While Democrat Mark Dayton will be cutting the ranks of the uninsured by almost half in his state, in Madison Republican Scott Walker is leaving an estimated 182,000 folks out in the cold."
Meet Cuccinelli's Top Donor: Corrupt Coal Baron Bob Murray
Meet Cuccinelli's Top Donor: Corrupt Coal Baron Bob Murray
"So that's Cuccinelli's largest individual donor from the last cycle. $30,000 from an extremist billionaire that is funding an Obama impeachment effort, that extorts money from his low wage employees, and fires his workforce wholesale in fits of spite when electoral results disappoint him."
"So that's Cuccinelli's largest individual donor from the last cycle. $30,000 from an extremist billionaire that is funding an Obama impeachment effort, that extorts money from his low wage employees, and fires his workforce wholesale in fits of spite when electoral results disappoint him."
The House’s Un-American Activities | Common Dreams
The House’s Un-American Activities | Common Dreams
"What the Republicans are attempting to do is, therefore, both unconstitutional and a violation of their own sworn promise – an oath sworn on the Bible they claim to revere. Their consciences must decide whether their behavior is un-Godly, but the Constitution they swore to uphold makes it pretty plain that it’s un-American."
"What the Republicans are attempting to do is, therefore, both unconstitutional and a violation of their own sworn promise – an oath sworn on the Bible they claim to revere. Their consciences must decide whether their behavior is un-Godly, but the Constitution they swore to uphold makes it pretty plain that it’s un-American."
Colorado Republicans Unanimously Support Flood Relief, Unanimously Opposed Sandy Aid
Colorado Republicans Unanimously Support Flood Relief, Unanimously Opposed Sandy Aid: Colorado Republican Reps. Mike Coffman, Cory Gardner, Doug Lamborn, and Scott Tipton support disaster relief for their state but voted against emergency aid for Superstorm Sandy victims.
Koch-backed conservatives go pro-cervical cancer
Koch-backed conservatives go pro-cervical cancer
"The right's campaign to convince young people to remain uninsured rather than enroll in Obamacare hits a new low"
"The right's campaign to convince young people to remain uninsured rather than enroll in Obamacare hits a new low"
How Ted Cruz Rolled The House GOP
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Conservative Dupes Fund 'War On Obamacare'
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Alienated Center Sends GOP Back To Hard Right
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Wednesday, September 18, 2013
GOP Continues Crusade To Defund Obamacare
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Breaking: New List of the Dark Money Shell Game Groups Connected to the Kochs
Breaking: New List of the Dark Money Shell Game Groups Connected to the Kochs
"Some of these groups have been directly connected to the Koch fortune by prior research, such as the Heritage Foundation's arms (which are long-time recipients of Koch money), the Center for Shared Service (which helps recruit right-wingers for jobs in the Koch network and which shares an office building with the Charles Koch Foundation) Themis and Libre (which advance Koch corporate agenda of Ayn Rand-style economic policies), and the Tea Party groups (which the Kochs initially claimed to the New Yorker's Jane Mayer that they had little to do with, despite evidence to the contrary).
Other groups were not yet tied to Koch money, like Generation Opportunity (which is aimed at college graduates struggling to find work in this economy and which attempts to blame progressive policies for the economic crisis that was actually spurred by Koch-style deregulation peddled by David Koch's Citizens for a Sound Economy, which pressed for the repeal of Glass-Steagall protections, the predecessor group of Koch's Americans for Prosperity)."
"Some of these groups have been directly connected to the Koch fortune by prior research, such as the Heritage Foundation's arms (which are long-time recipients of Koch money), the Center for Shared Service (which helps recruit right-wingers for jobs in the Koch network and which shares an office building with the Charles Koch Foundation) Themis and Libre (which advance Koch corporate agenda of Ayn Rand-style economic policies), and the Tea Party groups (which the Kochs initially claimed to the New Yorker's Jane Mayer that they had little to do with, despite evidence to the contrary).
Other groups were not yet tied to Koch money, like Generation Opportunity (which is aimed at college graduates struggling to find work in this economy and which attempts to blame progressive policies for the economic crisis that was actually spurred by Koch-style deregulation peddled by David Koch's Citizens for a Sound Economy, which pressed for the repeal of Glass-Steagall protections, the predecessor group of Koch's Americans for Prosperity)."
'A Monkey Could Just Vote No,' Says Former GOP Rep. Latourette
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The GOP's 'Deluded' Plot To Kill Obamacare
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