McCain seeks tax credit to help buy health insurance
By LIBBY QUAID,Associated Press
Posted: 2008-04-29 14:13:25

Republican John McCain wants to change how people get their health insurance, shifting away from job-based coverage to an open market where people can choose from competing policies.

McCain said Tuesday he would offer families a $5,000 tax credit to help buy insurance policies. Everyone would get the credit, whether he or she keeps a policy through an employer or shops for a new one.

"You simply choose the insurance provider that suits you best," McCain said in a speech Tuesday at the H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute in Tampa.

"The health plan you chose would be as good as any that an employer could choose for you. It would be yours and your family's health care plan, and yours to keep," he said.

Advisers called the speech a major policy address though McCain has talked about the same ideas for several months.

Still missing: The total cost of the plan and an estimate of how many people it would help. There are more than 40 million people in the United States who don't have health insurance. An adviser said that specifics will come later.

"So, a little more detail, but remember, it is April, and the election's in November, so not everything will happen tomorrow or this week," McCain adviser Doug Holtz-Eakin told reporters Monday.

Also Tuesday, his campaign began airing a health care commercial in Iowa, where McCain plans to hold a town hall-style meeting Thursday in Des Moines. In it, McCain makes the case for his market-oriented plan.

Under McCain's plan, anyone could get the credit, and those who like their company health care plans could choose to stay in them. The credit would be available as a rebate to people at lower income levels who have no tax liability, Holtz-Eakin said.

To pay for the tax credit, McCain would eliminate the tax exemption for people whose employers pay a portion of their coverage, raising an estimated $3.6 trillion in revenues, Holtz-Eakin said. Companies that provide coverage to workers still would get tax breaks. McCain would also cut costs by limiting health care lawsuits.

The goal is to move the health care industry away from job-based coverage toward competition among health insurance companies on the open market.

Critics of McCain's approach say it could leave sicker or older people without coverage as younger, healthier workers leave employer-based plans for cheaper ones; McCain's campaign says there would be a safety net to protect high-risk people.

Democratic rival Hillary Rodham Clinton said under McCain's plan, millions of Americans would lose their health care coverage through their jobs.

"The McCain plan eliminates the policies that hold the employer-based health insurance system together, so while people might have a 'choice' of getting such coverage, employers would have no incentive to provide it. This means 158 million Americans with job-based coverage today could be at risk of losing the insurance they have come to depend upon," Clinton said in a statement.

A spokesman for Democrat Barack Obama said McCain was "recycling the same failed policies that didn't work when George Bush first proposed them and won't work now. Instead of taking on the big health insurance companies and requiring them to cover Americans with preexisting conditions, Senator McCain wants to make it easier for them to reject your coverage, drop it, or jack up the price you pay." McCain also would let people buy health insurance across state lines instead of limiting them to companies in their own states. He said companies that do business in multiple states have greatly reduced health care costs because they are able to offer policies in many states.

Democrats worry about this idea because it could exempt insurers from stricter state regulations, such as requiring coverage of mammograms.

McCain issued his own criticism of Democratic plans for health care, saying Barack Obama and Hillary Rodham Clinton want government-run health care because they seek mandatory health care coverage, Obama for children and Clinton for everyone.

"They urge universal coverage, with all the tax increases, new mandates, and government regulation that come along with that idea," McCain said. "The key to real reform is to restore control over our health care system to the patients themselves."

Hudson
There are parts of Rev Wrights sermon that are a little over the top, such as the AID's conspiracy. In spite of some statements such as this one, the overall message is appropriate. Now, I must admit I have much more of a problem with Rev Hagee. The difference as I see it is that Wright is attacking the bigots and Hagee is attacking those that are the bigots victims. Please tell me where you think this is in error because I do know that much of my thought on these kind of issues is my own bias. I am able to accept others views and learn from them so if you disagree let me know.

quote:

Originally posted by iperson:
Mrs. B, I am aware of the fact that there are and always will be people who don't like Obama, and they are called racists, and a few more groups.

Mrs. B. .... This is a ridiculous statement by Iperson. There are many different reasons why many people do no like obama for the presidential candidate. Skin color is not a high priority on their list. There are way too many other issues ahead of that one, which WOULD only pertain to the limited amount of racist people that iperson is referencing .

Iperson has 2 speeds.

1. If you dont agree with her.. then you must be stupid.

2. If you dont like Obama... then you must be racist.

FINALLY Obama denounces Pastor Wright and his conspiracy theories. Also rejects Farakhan as being one of the greatest voices of the century as indicated by Wright.


But this man somehow always manages to put his foot fully in his mouth. He said..Wright's words are a comfort to those filled with hate. He will probably take a lot of heat on this one.

He really needs to stop trying to analyze people and leave it to the psychologists. Just a thought Barack..



Obama DENOUNCES WRIGHT

Just read this. Three observations: 1) This was done for the sole benefit of the super delegates. As long as Rev Wright hung around, must undecided super delegates will think twice about supporting his candidacy. 2) This frees up a lot of time of advertisement to attack either Hillary and/or McCain without the repercussions of his opponents toward one of his major weaknesses. 3( Finally this was a benefit toward the general election, particularly the undecided independent, Democrat, and, to some extent, Republican voters who might consider his candidacy.

make no mistake, this was a calculated business decision and an extreme disappintment to Sen Obama. It might help him or hurt him. It will hurt him when people could say it took him too long to make this decision that should have been made long ago. It might help him because he has lifted a huge piece of bad baggage.

I've come to know you 4now throughout this time on this forum, and I think I know what you represent and what your line of thinking is, which is similar to Hudson, and Davdah. In the light of what you have said, and your friends here, and people like you in this country, I would NOT, under any circumstances, outside of this virtual realm shake hands with you.
And I won't waste any of my time responding to you.

Why I am supporting Barack Obama

Thu May 01, 2008 at 12:02:03 AM EST

Under no circumstances was I going to vote for any Democratic Presidential candidate who voted for the ill-fated Iraq War Resolution. Even, if it meant that another tired-looking, middle-aged Republican was going to occupy the White House for another 4 years. I couldn't understand that 77 United States Senators, with sparkling credentials could be duped by a faux-Texan who invaded Iraq, not just for oil, but to avenge an assassination attempt on his father. How stupid can 77 people be? One, can suggest that the individuals who voted for this war were either blinded by blatant jingoism or scared of being labeled unpatriotic. I could think of nothing more patriotic than standing proud and tall in the United States Senate and voicing concerns for the war and demanding fellow citizens that they had a responsibility to stop this war before it even started. Yet, only one person brave enough to do that, while his other colleagues just sat in their seats with their thumbs up their asses. Robert Byrd gets ridicule for sounding like a pathetic old **** and having been a past member of the KKK, but on that day, he proved to me what it really means to be patriotic.


Let me formally introduce myself. I'm a card-carrying member of a minority group that doesn't believe Hillary Rodham Clinton would make a good President. Her supporters would claim such a ridiculous idea on the basis of her strength and intelligence. This by no means is an opinion that a woman can't be President. Nor is either intelligent or strong. I hold the belief that if a woman occupied the highest office of every major country, that the world would be a better place. I just couldn't fathom the hype surrounding Senator Hillary Clinton. She's attempting to win the highest office in the land by campaigning on her husband's resume. A resume of accomplishments that he achieved on his own. She wouldn't dare campaign on her list of credentials because there's nothing really there except traveling to over 80 countries as First Lady.

But what boggles my mind is the belief that she is a hard-nosed fighter that makes Rocky look like a pansy.

If that were the case, why didn't she stand up in the Senate floor and speak out against the war? Like all her other colleagues who voted for the resolution, she stood there and repeated the same talking points memo that came out of the White House.

Her surrogates will tell you that Barack Obama doesn't have what it takes to stand up against the Republican attack machine. If that were true, why do an interview with the Pittsburgh Tribune Review, a publication funded by arch-Conservative Richard Mellon Scaife? The same Richard Mellon Scaife who gave the American Spector 2.3 Million dollars to dig up dirt on Bill Clinton. And, the same Richard Mellon Scaife who used his publication to spread the heinous false rumor that Hillary Clinton killed Vince Foster.

Those who liken Hillary as tougher than Rocky live in a fantasy world. A world where being tough is code for kneecapping your opponents. Or, stooping to the lower depths of humanity just to make the other person look like they're another piece of garbage that you picked up from the street.

We here believe that Senator Clinton is an intelligent, and yes, hard-working politician, but her recent actions suggest that she is a person who lacks conviction and principle. I find her campaigning eerily similiar to that of Richard Nixon who barely won the 1968 Presidential race against Hubert Humphrey. Like Nixon, Hillary appeals to the worst of what America has to offer. Her Constituency are comprised of Conservative Democrats and leftovers from the Silent Majority. Like Nixon, she campaigns on the basis of fear. Fear of letting a totally inexperienced man occupy the White House. Those in the "Liberal media" will tell you that Barack Obama's recent troubles with Jeremiah Wright and his "bitter" comments have lost him significent white votes. But it was Hillary's 3AM ad in Texas that was the kicker. Her white vote increased by 10 points, even though she barely won the Texas primary.

On the contrary, Senator Obama has campaigned by appealing to the better angels in all of us. Some say his weakness is just that, "weakness." That he isn't man enough to go toe-to-toe with either the Clinton Slime machine or the Republican attack machine. But I beg to differ. When someone fights dirty, they're actually masking some sort of weakness. While Richard Nixon was widely considered to be tough and brilliant, he was one of the weakest son of a *****es that ever walked the face of the Earth. Even Pat Buchanan couldn't understand why such a brilliant man (and believe me I use that term loosely) could be so insecure and paranoid. To mask such weakness and self-doubt Nixon re-invented himself as this tough, law and order guy who was going to cleanse America of all its social ills. Eventually the paranoia caught with him and you know the rest of the story. A New York Times article last year gave insight as to why Hillary Clinton voted for the Iraq war. Her insecurity about her public image and LACK of national security experience made it difficult for her to vote no. If that were to be true, then how can a person who campaigns on experience, be trusted to answer the phone at 3AM? And, should she become President (which is VERY UNLIKELY) we all know how it's going to end.

Mr. Obama has taken a flurry of blows from every corner, yet John McCain, the Republican nominee, has close the deal. While, pundits will question Obama's electiability, they should ask this question. Why hasn't McCain closed the deal? With all his status as a maverick, a war hero, coupled with Obama's tough few months, John McCain should run away with this. But he hasn't.

Let's be honest.

The real change in this country would be the complete divorce between the lobbyist and the politician. Should that occur, all that we envisioned will come true. What Barack Obama means by "change" is a new dialogue. What Mrs. Clinton represents in her dialogue is the politics of street fighting. The continiuing battle between the left and the right. Mrs. Clinton wants to use the Presidency to finish off these battles and she sees the American people as just collaterial damage. Mr. Obama's approach is not what you hear from a cowboy. But then again what has cowboys, even fake ones done for us lately?

As a nation divided by red and blue, we must seek a leader who's intention is to bring us together rather than divide us. Bush, Hillary and McCain are representatives of the old guard. They're psychologically damaged human beings who use power as a way to make themselves feel good. And, we in the end, suffer for it.

Mr. Obama is not perfect (nor should we expect him to be) But his run at the Presidency isn't an ego-trip. If so, the people would've caught up to him on Super Tuesday and handed Senator Clinton the nomination on a silver platter like she wanted in the first place. Senator Obama understands what is truly at stake and that is the future. After 7 years of living in George Bush's America, we as a nation deserve a fresh start. Someone with new ideas and a reliance on thoughtful conversation rather than piss-pour discourse from politicians who talk as if they crawled out of their favorite neighborhood establishments. Someone who can stand tall after taking a hit.

That someone is Barack Obama.

link

quote:

Originally posted by iperson:
I've come to know you 4now throughout this time on this forum, and I think I know what you represent and what your line of thinking is, which is similar to Hudson, and Davdah. In the light of what you have said, and your friends here, and people like you in this country, I would NOT, under any circumstances, outside of this virtual realm shake hands with you.
And I won't waste any of my time responding to you.

Lperson

I hope that is a PROMISE and not like the one where you keep saying you are leaving and never depart

Oh and on the handshake thing... virtual or otherwise, that wouldnt work 4me either... Because you seem like the type of person that picks their nose and doesnt wash their hands.. then wants to shake hands. No thanks baby.

quote:

Originally posted by Kollerkrot:
Hi Mrs. B.

Rev. Wright is ruff, but can you blame him? I listened to both his speaches and in part found them very educating. His explaination, e.g., why Sunday morning is considered the most segregated hour: it will tell people, that it was governmental persecution and historical anti-human treatment, that forced the black church under ground and made it what it is today.

I went to black Pentecostal services once or twice before and me, growing up a catholic, I couldn't make head and toe out of what I heard and saw. I sort of was in shock! And, from out of that state, I even went so far as to tell to one of my black friends - "you guys are obsessed"! I now have much better insight and wished I would have never said that. It took until now that someone was able to explain to me why. So, thank you Rev. Wright!

One more thing: Is there anyway to find out whether Sen. Obama is ambidextrous? I would love to know - because that then, would explain why he is so smart.

Hi Kollerkrot,

I finally was able to listen to that Youtube that Iperson linked. Yes, I enjoyed listening to it too, except that the issue about AIDS seemed extreme to me. (Chuck and I agree on that matter). I enjoyed the Pastor's singing as well.

In case you get to know if Obama was ambidextrous, then do let us know too!

quote:

Originally posted by 4now:

quote:

Originally posted by iperson:
Mrs. B, I am aware of the fact that there are and always will be people who don't like Obama, and they are called racists, and a few more groups.

Mrs. B. .... This is a ridiculous statement by Iperson. There are many different reasons why many people do no like obama for the presidential candidate. Skin color is not a high priority on their list. There are way too many other issues ahead of that one, which WOULD only pertain to the limited amount of racist people that iperson is referencing .

Iperson has 2 speeds.

1. If you dont agree with her.. then you must be stupid.

2. If you dont like Obama... then you must be racist.

Hi 4Now,

I was about to say that Iperson will have something to say to this statement, but that would have become moot and academic since she already replied after your post. I read before that she was referring to Jasmin as being a racist because Jasmin would rather vote for McCain if Hillary don't get the presidential nomination. I don't know if Iperson's statement is in that context.

That being said, I do agree with you that those who won't vote for Obama are not necessarily racists. As charismatic as Obama is, there may be those who think that McCain/Hillary are going to be the better choices for president because they knew these people, they know their track record and what they can do.

Manchurian Candidates and Fox Hotlist

by Keith Olbermann


Fri May 02, 2008 at 11:31:36 AM EST

I knew some day I'd actually write something that did not include a shout about what we're doing on the show. And, my very dear friends, as Mr McCain would begin, this day has arrived. I've been startled to watch two developments anger and shake our respective Coalitions of The Reasonable, without the obvious deflating corollaries apparently dawning on anybody.

Firstly, Senator Clinton's appearance with O'Reilly is more pathetic and revelatory than it is outrageous. Secondly, the "Manchurian Candidate" meme voiced by Coultergeist might be taken down and later used against her.

* Keith Olbermann's diary :: ::
*

Starting with Senator Clinton and Fox. Nobody appreciates outrage about Fixed News more than do I. I am the East Coast Distributor of Fixed News Outrage. But hasn't the most telling explanation about the surprisingly-yawny Billo interview struck anybody? She did it because it was serious free television time and if it costs much more than free, she can't afford it.

She was doing a freakin' info-mercial.

This appearance with an 8 PM host on a network whose 9 PM host still likes to insist she's a murderer, is a kind of political version of the story of the legendary gossip columnist Walter Winchell, for 30 years dominating newspapers, radio, television, even film, and acting gigs like voiceovers for "The Untouchables." One day the tv show was cancelled. Then the radio. Then the newspapers started dropping the column. And seemingly overnight, Winchell is standing on a street corner with a handful of his columns, which he has typed out himself and copied on a mimeograph machine, and he is giving them away to passersby.

And the desperation in this was not one way. The Mighty Favog of Fox billed this as his "World Exclusive." To repeat two observations from last night's televisioning, if you live in your own world as he does, this might be technically correct. Billo's "World Exclusive" with her came ten days after my "World Exclusive" with her and ten days after Larry King's "World Exclusive" with her and the same day as Cynthia McFadden's "World Exclusive" with her. I am half expecting to see my buddy Joel McHale do a "World Exclusive" with her on E!'s The Soup.

The other point that has sung faintly in the distance to me in the past, just came up and yelled in my ear after I read it anew here: Coulter's invoking of The Manchurian Candidate about Obama -- and yes, this is something I'm teasing for its brief mention in tonight's Countdown.

Uhhhh... the premise of the movie (both the Frankenheimer classic and even the crapola Denzel Washington remake) was that the key figures in the plots were POW war heroes. Am I the only one who thinks this is a radioactive rod of an image which Ms. Coulter has decided to juggle? I mean, even if we acknowledge that even as a crazy bit of brainwashing imagery, it's a pretty stupid one that isn't going to fool more than 4100 voters nationwide - why would her ilk ever want to bring this one up, instead of sticking with something safe like "Trojan Horse"?

Well, I have to run. Have to prepare for my World Exclusive Interview with Richard Lewis tonight. It's my third one with him in the last nine days.

Tags: Recommended, Hillary Clinton, Fox News, Bill O'Reilly, Keith Olbermann, The Manchurian Candidate, Countdown, Ann Coulter, Barack Obama, John McCain, John Frankenheimer, 2008


link to dailykos diary

Congratulations OBAMA!

Who thinks this primary is basically over?
Who thinks Obama overcame the WRight gate??


I DO!
I DO!
I DO!

GO OBAMA!

MY CAPSLOCK IS STUCK AND I DON'T CARE! LOL!

Yes, go. Go away Obama. I'd rather have Hillary. At least she showed some respect for this country.

Obama and our flag

OMG!!!

OMG for the video?

....yeah

oh i forgot a bigger one for u being back

OOOOMMMMGGGG!!!!