Conway Should Have Sued

When he decided not to challenge the mandates of Obamacare, Jack Conway was wearing his U.S. Senate candidate's hat rather than his Attorney General hat -- and in so doing, he breached his duty to Kentuckians.

Conway asserted at the time that it would be a waste of money to litigate a baseless suit. Attorneys General from 20 other states looked at the merits, however, and decided to challenge the constitutionality of the Obamacare mandates. (Indeed, a similar suit in Virginia has survived a motion to dismiss.)

Conway's infatuation with Obamacare is such that either it clouded his legal judgement or he decided to advance his career rather than the needs of Kentucky. It was an odd political choice, given how many Kentuckians loathe Obamacare.

Rand Paul's campaign reminded voters that Conway could not join the 20 Attorneys General at a Florida hearing today; Conway has more glamorous (and lucrative) places to be:

So, where is Jack?

The sad truth is Jack Conway is in La Jolla, Calif., one of the richest and most exclusive beach communities in the world. While there, he's spending his time raising money from wealthy liberal elites for his political campaign. In fact, today marks the third day of Jack's Southern California swing, with stops in Los Angeles, Santa Barbara and San Diego.

This is just one leg of his nationwide fundraising tour - with 20-plus events scheduled outside Kentucky to rake in cash from wealthy left-wing donors and his left-coast base.

Of course, we shouldn't be surprised. Jack Conway supports Obamacare and has refused to stand up for his state and join the lawsuit to overturn the president's scheme. Jack Conway supports the higher taxes and unconstitutional personal mandate and will stand with his liberal D.C. allies, not for Kentucky.

Fortunately, Kentucky has a choice. Rand Paul is a physician who understands that we need less government in healthcare, not more, and strives to protect the doctor patient relationship. Dr. Paul will stand up for Kentucky and fight to overturn Obamacare in the United States Senate.

Max Baucus: Read the Bill? Seriously?

Sen. Max Baucus -- the administration's point man on Obamacare -- has suggested that he didn't read the bill he not only voted for but actively promoted.

Baucus responded to a constituent at a town hall, who questioned whether he did and should read the bill by saying, " “I don’t think you want me to waste my time to read every page of the healthcare bill,” Baucus said, according to the Flathead Beacon. “You know why? It’s statutory language. ... We hire experts.”

Yarmuth Town Hall

Rep. John Yamuth just robo-called to say that he will host a telephone town hall tomorrow (Tuesday, April 27 at 6:20) to answer questions about the health care legislation recently enacted.

His message did not leave the call-in number; he said he'd call back.

Yarmuth has been one of the most aggressive members of Congress in seeking a single-payer system. Although he is completely wrong on the merits, I commend him for making himself available to answer his constituents' questions about the new law.

NRO Quotes Grayson on "Bluegrass Bummer"

National Review Online interviews Trey Grayson on the "Bluegrass Bummer." At first, I was afraid it was going to be about the Grayson campaign, but no, the subject is Kentucky's experience with its version of Hillarycare.

Grayson details what happened in Kentucky: insurers fled the state, premiums went up and consequently the number of insured actually increased.

More importantly for purposes of saving his campaign, Grayson maps out how to repeal Obamacare based on his experience in Kentucky in assisting in the repeal of Kentucky Hillarycare.

This is the first lesson proponents of repeal should take from Kentucky: Construct a narrative around all of the bill’s negative consequences. “So, for example, we’ve already had John Deere and Verizon and some other companies take charges for the next quarter,” Grayson says. “As we learn about businesses choosing to drop insurance or delay expansion plans or whatever they have to do to avoid this, I think we have to take those real-life consequences and tell the public.”

The second lesson, he says, “is that you don’t have to do a full repeal right off the bat. If you can start getting rid of some of the bad elements, try that.” Repealing the most unpopular parts of the bill — new taxes oninvestment, on income, on medical devices — can pave the way for repealing the spending provisions: “If those taxes have to be repealed or phased out,” Grayson says, “then you start to have a financial concern: How you are going to pay for all this stuff as the subsidies are phased in?”

Grayson has unique experience that conservatives need in Washington at this historic juncture. To be sure, Rand Paul wants to repeal health care as well, but he has not specified how he would do so. Nor can I envision Paul establishing the relationships with Senate colleagues necessary to get anything done. It's fine to rant against "career politicians" until you actually need them to vote for your legislation.

More Health Care Write Downs

I knew that Obamacare would be a disaster for America's economy, but I must admit that I am shocked at how quickly things have worsened. The number of major companies forced to write down their projected profits due to Obamacare continues to grow:

• Boeing will take a$150 million charge
• Goodrich: $10 million charge
• Illinois Tool Works: $22 million
• Prudential Financial: $100 million
• Caterpillar: $100 million
• John Deere: $150 million

The Obamacare bill is like the anti-stimulus. All of these write-downs will translate into unemployment -- as well as reduced earnings for pensions and college funds. Obama promised hope but delivered despair. That mantra about "change" is turning into "Buddy, can you spare a dime?".

A Bunning Reprise?

Politico speculates that as the short-term extension of unemployment and other benefits gets ready to expire in a two weeks, Sen. Jim Bunning might get all "irascible" and demand once again that the government find the money before passing the bill.

It's a pity that Bunning no longer attends his caucus meetings. This would be a really great time to let Bunning be Bunning: focus his innate irascibility on the health care monstrosity's return to the Senate. As Vice President Joe Biden clarified, it's a "big f--ing deal."

Trey to Conway: Sue to Stop Health Care Bill

Florida filed suit today to invalidate the mandates in the Obama health care bill; a dozen states are expected to do likewise. But not Kentucky.

Trey Grayson called on U.S. Senate candidate Jack Conway to do his day-job as Attorney General and file suit on behalf of Kentucky. From Grayson's release:

Today, Kentucky Secretary of State Trey Grayson called on Kentucky Attorney General Jack Conway to join other Attorneys General around the country in filing suit against the federal government over passage of the health care bill.

“Washington is broken, and nothing demonstrates that truth more than the government takeover of health care, which the President signed into law today. Despite overwhelming and bipartisan opposition, Democrats in Congress have forced massive new bureaucracy and unsustainable spending on American families already burdened from decades of bad decisions in Washington. Fortunately, there is still an opportunity to prevent this intrusion into our lives as more than a dozen states have declared their intent to challenge this law in court. Today I call on Kentucky Attorney General Jack Conway to join in this effort and file suit against the federal government for the unconstitutional overreach of its authority with the passage of this health care legislation. Jack Conway should stand up to Washington and fight for the Commonwealth of Kentucky against this massive new unfunded and unconstitutional federal mandate on states like ours,” Grayson said.

McConnell: "Repeal and Replace"

Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell made clear that he supports repealing the Obama administration's health care monstrosity.

McConnell has made more than 100 speeches on the floor of the Senate condemning the Democrats' health care takeover. Nonetheless, Erick Erickson of Redstate criticized McConnell yesterday for failing to use the magic word "repeal."

Today, McConnell said "I can tell you with the campaign that will continue with the American people, I think the slogan will be “Repeal and Replace.”

Public Opposition Remains

The Obama administration has failed to change the public perception of their historic takeover of one-sixth of the nation's economy.

A CNN poll taken this weekend found the public opposes the Democrats' health care plan 59-39. As for the deficit, 70 percent believe that the bill will make the deficits increase; only 12 percent believe the administration's claim that it will lower the deficit. On the issue of cost, 62 percent expect their personal health care costs to increase. More than half the respondents (56) percent believe that the bill allows too much government involvement in the health care system.

Democrats knew all this going into the vote. But elitists by nature, they thought they knew better.

Rep. John Boehner said it best on the floor of the House right before the vote: "Shame on each and every one of you who substitutes your will and your desires above those of your fellow countrymen."

A British View of the Health Care Vote

We Americans are so close to the health care debate -- it will affect our lives and the lives of those we love -- that it's helpful to detach a little and see what the legislation looks like from view a Brit. Writing for the Daily Telegraph, Nile Gardiner calls the vote "a dark day for freedom in America:

It is also a great leap forward by the United States towards a European-style vision of universal health care, which will only lead to soaring costs, higher taxes, and a surge in red tape for small businesses. This reckless legislation dramatically expands the power of the state over the lives of individuals, and could not be further from the vision of America’s founding fathers. It has also been rushed through Congress without proper scrutiny, in the face of overwhelming public opposition, and with not an ounce of bipartisan support.

Above all the health care bill is a thinly disguised vanity project for a president who is committed to transforming the United States from the world’s most successful large-scale free enterprise economy, to a highly interventionist society with a massive role for centralized government. The United States has thrived as a nation for over 230 years precisely because of its love for freedom and its belief in free markets.

What we have just witnessed is a massive slap in the face for limited government and the principle of individual responsibility. Its net result will be the erosion of freedom in America, and a further undermining of the country’s economic competitiveness. This may be a political victory for the president and his supporters in Congress, but it is in reality a defeat for America as a great power, and another Obama-led step towards US decline.

Obama Attacks McConnell

President Barack Obama sounds obsessed with Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell. Politico details Obama's petty attacks and paranoia.

For the second time this week, the president has called out Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell personally after the leader suggested Democrats who back Obama’s health care proposals should fear GOP retribution in November.

“I heard the Republican leader of the Senate the other day – he’s warning Democrats, ‘You better be careful about voting for this; it could hurt you,’” the president said in a speech to 400 invitees who packed into a high school auditorium just outside of St. Louis.

“I don’t know how sincere the Republican leader is about the best interests of Democrats. [But] he’s been very generous with advice.”

When someone hooted from the back of the room during a Wednesday night fundraiser in St. Louis, Obama stopped mid-speech, and quipped, “Was that Mitch McConnell? ... They don’t like it when we’re talking the truth.”

Wednesday’s remarks tracked closely with those Obama made on a Monday trip to Arcadia University in suburban Philadelphia, when he said, “The echo chamber is telling members of Congress, ‘wait, think about the politics — instead of thinking about doing the right thing’ … That’s what Mitch McConnell said.”

Ding, Dong, the (Obamacare Senate Bill) Witch is Dead!

Breaking news from the Washington Post: "Speaker of the House says she does not have enough votes to pass the Senate version of the health-care bill, leaving President Obama's most important domestic agenda item in grave jeopardy." Yippee!
Please note: The postings of "G. Morris", written by John K. Bush and which end in 2016, stated his views as of the dates of posting and should not be understood as current assertions of his views. The postings, which have not been altered since they came to an end, remain on this blog to preserve the historical record. In 2017, Mr. Bush took a position that precludes further public political comments or endorsements. He will no longer be contributing to this blog.

Poll: Even Mass. Voters Hate Health Care Bill

Even voters in the People's Republic of Massachusetts oppose Obamacare -- 51 percent. And no wonder, according to the Suffolk University/News 7 Boston poll, 61% “believe the federal government cannot afford the proposed national health care plan.”

Consequently, Democrats may well lose the senate seat even in this bluest of states. President Barack Obama plans to go campaign in the special election. Yeah, that'll help . . . the Republican.

McConnell Forces Reading

The Clerk of the Senate is now reading an amendment designed to appease Sen. Ben Nelson (D-NE), the lone Democratic hold out on the health care take over.

Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell invoked Senate rules that the amendment be read. It was completely appropriate for McConnell to force the reading; it's the only way to buy the public enough time to digest the 2000 page bill.

Previously, Democrats had promised that the bill would be available online for 72 hours, but as the vote is now scheduled, Democrats have broken that pledge in their attempt to ram through their plan to pay for six years of benefits with ten years of (raised) taxes.

U.S. Senators Are Left Behind In Reiding Class

Does Senate Democratic Leader Harry Reid think we are idiots? He certainly behaves like United States Senators are remedial readers. Here's what Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell had to say in a press release issued earlier today:

Thursday, December 17, 2009

‘And here’s the most outrageous part: at the end of this rush, they want us to vote on a bill that no one outside the Majority Leader’s conference room has even seen. That’s right. The final bill we’ll vote on isn’t even the one we’ve had on the floor. It’s the deal Democrat leaders have been trying to work out in private’

WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell made the following remarks on the Senate floor Thursday regarding the importance of getting it right on health care reform:

“Senators on both sides acknowledge that the health care bill we’re considering is among the most significant pieces of legislation any of us will ever consider.

“So it stands to reason that we’d devote significant time and attention to it.

“Indeed, some would argue that we should spend more time and attention on this bill than most — if not every — previous bill we’ve considered.

“The Majority disagrees.

“Why? Because this bill has become a political nightmare for them.

“They know Americans overwhelmingly oppose it, so they want to get it over with.

“Americans are already outraged at the fact that Democrat leaders took their eyes off the ball. Rushing the process on a partisan line makes the situation even worse.

“Americans were told the purpose of reform was to reduce the cost of health care.

“Instead, Democrat leaders produced a $2.5 trillion, 2,074-page monstrosity that vastly expands government, raises taxes, raises premiums, and wrecks Medicare.

“And they want to rush this bill through by Christmas — one of the most significant, far-reaching pieces of legislation in U.S. history. They want to rush it.

“And here’s the most outrageous part: at the end of this rush, they want us to vote on a bill that no one outside the Majority Leader’s conference room has even seen.

“That’s right. The final bill we’ll vote on isn’t even the one we’ve had on the floor. It’s the deal Democrat leaders have been trying to work out in private.

“That’s what they intend to bring to the floor and force a vote on before Christmas.

“So this entire process is essentially a charade.

“But let’s just compare the process so far with previous legislation for some perspective. Here’s a snapshot of what we’ve done and where we stand:

• The Majority Leader intends to bring this debate to a close as early as this weekend — four days from now, on this $2.5 trillion dollar mistake

• No American who hasn’t been invited into the Majority Leader’s conference room knows what will be in that bill

• This bill has been the pending business of the Senate since the last week of November — less than four weeks ago.

• We started the amendment process two weeks ago.

• We’ve had 21 amendments and motions — less than two a day.

“Now let’s look at how the Senate has dealt with previous legislation.

“No Child Left Behind (2001):

• 21 session days or 7 weeks.

• Roll Call votes: 44

• Number of Amendments offered: 157

“9/11 Commission/Homeland Security Act (2002):

• 19 session days over 7 weeks.

• Roll Call votes: 20

• Number of Amendments offered: 30

“Energy Bill (2002):

• 21 session days over 8 weeks

• Number of Roll Call votes: 36

• Number of Amendments offered: 158

“This isn’t an energy bill. This is an attempt by a majority to take over one sixth of the U.S. economy — to vastly expand the reach and the role of government into the health care decisions of every single American — and they want to be done after one substantive amendment. This is absolutely inexcusable.

“I think Senator Snowe put it best on Tuesday:

‘Given the enormity and complexity,’ she said, ‘I don’t see anything magical about the Christmas deadline if this bill is going to become law in 2014.’

“And I think Senator Snowe’s comments on a lack of bipartisanship at the outset of this debate are also right on point.

“Here’s what she said in late November:

‘I am truly disappointed we are commencing our historic debate on one of the most significant and pressing domestic issues of our time with a process that has forestalled our ability to arrive at broader agreement on some of the most crucial elements of health care reform. The bottom line is, the most consequential health care legislation in the history of our country and the reordering of $33 trillion in health care spending over the coming decade shouldn’t be determined by one vote-margin strategies – surely we can and must do better.’

“The only conceivable justification for rushing this bill is the overwhelming opposition of the American people. Democrats know that the longer Americans see this bill the less they like it. Here’s the latest from Pew. It came out just yesterday.

“A majority (58 percent) of those who have heard a lot about the bills oppose them while only 32 percent favor them.”

“There is no justification for this blind rush — except a political one, and that’s not good enough for the American people.

“And there’s no justification for forcing the Senate to vote on a bill none of us has seen.

“Americans already oppose this bill. The process is just as bad.

“It’s completely reckless, completely irresponsible.”
Please note: The postings of "G. Morris", written by John K. Bush and which end in 2016, stated his views as of the dates of posting and should not be understood as current assertions of his views. The postings, which have not been altered since they came to an end, remain on this blog to preserve the historical record. In 2017, Mr. Bush took a position that precludes further public political comments or endorsements. He will no longer be contributing to this blog.

Harry Reid's Bill Will Raise Costs by $234 Billion

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (part of Health and Human Services) have crunched the numbers on Senate Democratic Leader Harry Reid's latest iteration of the health care take over: Reid's bill would raise the cost of health care $ 234 billion.

Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell was right. Just last week, Sen. Max Baucus complained, "The Republican Leader a few moments ago said that this bill raises costs. With all due respect to my good friend from Kentucky, that statement is false."

McConnell was right on cost, just as he has been right about public opposition to the bill.

Yesterday, three more polls found that the more Americans learn of the Democratic plan, the more they oppose it. A CNN poll showed 61 percent of Americans oppose the Senate health care bill. Fox News found that 57 percent oppose the proposed legislation. Even the New York Times noted that only 42 percent approve of the Obama administration's handling of health care, down five points from last month.

Jack Conway Lauds Useless "Message" Amendment

Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate Jack Conway issued a press release to demonstrate his heart-felt support for an amendment to the the health care bill. (H/t: Page One.) The amendment was pushed by Colorado Democrat Sen. Michael Bennet, who was appointed to his seat and faces a tough election to keep it.

Bennet's amendment was intended to address the public furor over the Democrats' proposal to pay for their health care take over by cutting Medicare. Jack Conway wants us to know that he agrees with Bennet:

It is of the utmost importance to me to protect Kentucky’s seniors. Senator Michael Bennett’s (D-CO) measure will preserve guaranteed benefits for the 720,000 Medicare beneficiaries in the Commonwealth. (Emphasis added.)

The only problem is that Bennet's amendment was all atmospherics, so substance. A leaked email from Bennet's office made this clear, according to the AP:

"This is a message amendment," his office informed fellow Democrats in an e-mail unintended for publication, indicating its purpose was political. "The Senate bill already does these things and this amendment makes these facts absolutely clear and succinct." It passed 100-0.

Unfortunately for Conway, he was not on the email list from Bennet's office. Consequently, Conway was duped into thinking that the Senate's non-binding posturing would "preserve guaranteed benefits."

It does not. The vote was pure symbolism; that's why it passed 100-0.

But Conway's release revealed more than just his naivete about Senate procedure. He misspelled the name of the Democrat he applauded.

The U.S. Senator from Colorado who pushed the "message amendment" is not, as Conway twice referred to him "Senator Michael Bennett’s (D-CO)." It's Bennet with one "T": Michael Bennet.

He Wrote Back!

I wrote to Congressman John Yarmuth the first week of August to suggest that he hold a real, live town hall on health care as opposed to the fake teleconference town halls he had held up to that point.

He (or rather, one of his minions) has replied -- four months later. I am so glad for the instantaneous nature of email; it really improves constituent relations between the elected and we the little people.

It is unclear why the staffer bothered to even respond at this late date. Maybe he or she noticed that on a a near daily basis, new Republicans are announcing their candidacy to challenge Yarmuth.

As form letters to constituents go, it's a fine letter. I especially like how Yarmuth sought to reassure me that he will not turn us into Canada, Britain or France as he takes over one-sixth of the U.S. economy: "Speaking with so many people and hearing so many different personal experiences only reinforced my belief that our current health care system is unsustainable, and I will do all I can to ensure that we find a uniquely American solution that works for the American people."

One interesting turn of phrase: Yarmuth -- who is, after all, a designated messenger for House Speaker Nancy Pelosi -- describes the health care take over as "reform." As in, "As a result of constituent feedback during the month of August many changes were made to the health care reform legislation being considered by the House. " (Emphasis added.) And to reiterate this change of nomenclature, "With my support, H.R. 3962, the Affordable Health Care for America Act was passed on November 7, 2009. H.R. 3962 is now on hold until the Senate approves its health reform bill." (Emphasis added.)

Reform sounds so modest and incremental. Not nearly so draconian as what the Democrats' plan actually is: a trillion dollar, two thousand page monstrosity that will make health care more expensive while reducing quality.

Dems Attack Each Other Over Health Care

Perhaps the most interesting fights on the Senate floor these days are between Democrats. Take this exchange on proposed cuts to Medicare.

Sen. Chris Dodd (D-CT) likes the cuts, arguing that "what is cut are private health care plans under the Medicare Advantage Program." As if the quasi-private nature of the plan should console the elderly recipient who loses her benefits.

Sen. Bill Nelson (D-FL) represents a state with a large population of senior citizens, and therefore viewed the cuts differently: "I think it would be intolerable to ask the senior citizens on Medicare who have [Medicare Advantage] to give up substantial health benefits that they're enjoying under Medicare." Nelson pledged to offer an amendment to shield seniors form the proposed cuts.

Swine Flu Vaccines Really, Really Late

Jefferson County children will finally get vaccinated for the Swine Flu, more than a month after H1N1 peaked in local schools.

The absence rate at my children's school exceeded 30 percent the week leading up to Halloween; it has been back to normal for some time since.

It's great that schools are making the vaccine available to students on-site. But where was the vaccine when we needed it last month?

The Obama administration had nearly a year's lead-time to prepare for the Swine Flu. And yet we are just now getting the vaccine, after the flu has run its course.

If this is how the administration reacts to a public health crisis when it has this much advance notice to plan and prepare, how it will handle a crisis that by its nature gives only a few days warning --like a hurricane.

By the way, more than twice as many people have died from Swine Flu than from Hurricane Katrina.