G.O.P. Leaders Fight Expansion of Children’s Health Insurance

[Demeter]

Source: NYTimes


WASHINGTON, July 24 — Republican leaders of the House and Senate on Tuesday attacked proposals that call for a major expansion of the Children’s Health Insurance Program, to be financed with higher tobacco taxes
...In an unexpected turn of events, the top two Republicans in the Senate, Mitch McConnell of Kentucky and Trent Lott of Mississippi, said they opposed a bipartisan bill that the Senate Finance Committee approved last week and would offer an alternative on the Senate floor.

House Democrats announced their proposals on Tuesday night and estimated that they would provide coverage for five million children who are now uninsured. The Senate bill is expected to cover 3.2 million children.

Top House Republicans objected to the House Democrats’ plan to finance their proposals, with increases in tobacco taxes and cuts in subsidies for private health plans serving older Americans on Medicare. Republicans say public coverage would in some cases replace private insurance.

“Dragging people out of private health insurance to put them into a government-run program is ‘Hillary care’ come back,” Mr. Boehner said, referring to the Clinton administration plan for universal coverage.



Read more: http://www.nytimes.com/2007/07/25/us/25health.html?_r=1...

[SpiralHawk]

1. "Screw 'em, they're only kids." - Republicons

"We have to concentrate on gilding the lily (smirk) of our own cabal of republicon cronies. So screw the kids."

- Republicons

[C_U_L8R]

2. Can the repubes really stoop any lower ??

Taking health insurance away from children !!!!!
What disgusting slime.

[mikelewis]

7. Remember Terry Schaivo?

Yes, they frequently do stoop much lower than this.

[msongs]

3. senators from tobacco states fighting for their death farmers nt

[rcsl1998]

4. Republicans Return To Health-Care Killing Tactic of the 90's

In the 90's, the Republicans, in response to the Clinton Health-Care proposal, began running out one 'alternative' plan after another to peal off a few votes here and a few votes there etc. Once the Clinton plan was stopped and the Republicans took control of congress, they made no attempt (that would be ZERO) to move any of the 'plans' they proposed previously. This is the beginning of the same tactic. 'Concerned' Republicans pushing 'alternative' plans to peal away votes based upon special interests until they can kill the bill or provide enough cover to sustain a veto. DO NOT BE FOOLED!

[Telly Savalas]

5. Dragging people out of private health insurance?

Huh?

If private insurance does a better job than SCHIP at lower rates like Boner believes, then nobody will leave private insurance. He shouldn't have a problem with it.

If, in fact, SCHIP performs better, then Boner is wrong to deny people that option.

[Ilsa]

15. Especially at the low qualifying income levels. If people are barely

getting by, then why not offer them SCHIP and have them frop their private insurance. It would be a good benefit for them and their employer. Little Shit Bush* did more than this to put $$$ in the hands of his rich buddies.

[Faygo Kid]

17. They don't have health insurance - how can they be dragged out?

OK, a family of four making $35,000 - let's let John Boehner (great name) find insurance for the kids that the parents can afford.

Good luck, a-hole.

[david_vincent]

6. Rule Number One in politics:

kids don't vote.

Hey, remember Summertime Blues? (Eddie Cochrane / Blue Cheer / Who / et al.)

[cureautismnow]

12. indeed. "I'd like to help you son, but you're too young to vote."

At least these Repukes are consistent. Consistently bad to poor children.

[CTyankee]

102. Yep, which is one of the reasons that repubs could get their parental approval

before abortions for teenaged girls passed. The poor and the young are always targeted. One group doesn't vote (as often as the more affluent) and the other can't.

[NashVegas]

8. Cigarette Smokers Pay An Add'l $7.8 Billion in Taxes -

This bill would raise that to $20 billion, and add a wild increase to cigar taxes.

I'm all for getting kids insured, but a more equitable solution should be found.

[TwilightGardener]

10. Awwww.

[laylah]

21. ...

[katsy]

14. Of course there are more sensible solutions....

Cut the damned pentagon budget by half and give the people single payer health.

Leagalize marijuana and tax it. Open up a new hemp industry.

But why would a government of, by and for the elites have any common sense?

[MikeNearMcChord]

20. And don't forget to jack the income tax for the 1%

to 75%(yeah some Che Guevara here) They haven't sacrificed since Ronnie was in office.

[katsy]

22. That works for me.

[Hydra]

25. I'm for that!

The GOP doesn't want these poor kids to grow up and vote dem. Screw them!

75% income tax on the top 1% would be great- since they'd be taking less home, they'll stop working so hard to steal from us, and maybe megacorps will die a most timely death.

[PittPoliSci]

69. isn't that where it was pre-reagan?

it was as high as 90% under truman and FDR, and didn't really come down till JFK

[PoconoPragmatist]

44. Now There Ya Go

There's a solution i'm in favor of...legalize the weed!

I don't want it, don't smoke it no more, and don't care to...legal or not.

but this is a win/win...because...people who want weed are GOING to get it. You can't stop it. It costs a lot more to fight the war on drugs for little piddling marijuana smokers than it's really worth.

The users will get it cheaper, even with taxes, because they won't be buying an illegal product anymore, and so the dealer is out of the equation.

The government will make the money on the taxes that dealers do not currently pay.

Because it's no longer illegal, jail space will free up, costs of law enforcement will go down, as will much crime go down.

One caveat...if you legalize marijuana, you provide FREE rehab for anyone who requests it.

[tabasco]

35. It is eminently equitable to tax a product destructive to the health of Americans

to provide health care for Americans.

Easy solution to the claimed inequity: quit.

[PoconoPragmatist]

45. Typical Non-Smoker Response

Translation: I don't have to pay it, so fuck you.

did you know cigarettes are 39 times as addictive as HEROIN?!?! that they are more addictive than COCAINE?!?!

Yeah, just quit. Real easy. Ever try giving up something you are strongly addicted to?

[WildClarySage]

50. Yeah, I have... smoking.

And I'm all for higher taxes. Help me stay quit to know the price of a smoke is ever increasing. You're right, it was hard as hell. But worth it.

Either way, I don't have a problem with paying my share to ensure that my neighbor's (uninsured) kids are as heathy as mine (insured) are. If my neighbor can't afford to take her kid to the dr to look at that rash on Johnny's leg, there's a good chance that his impetigo can spread to my kids. Isn't it in ALL our best interests to have healthier kids? I don't understand Repub. "logic".

[PoconoPragmatist]

53. ...

Thier neighbor's kids ARE all insured. They fled the poor parts of town long ago. They don't care. It's the "I got mine, fuck you" attitude that is prevalent in this country.

i just think it's time they found someone fucking ELSE to put the goddamned burden on. Fucking cigarettes are a LEGAL PRODUCT...why the fuck should I be penalized...singled out for additional tax...just because I enjoy a legal product? Especially when they never think about increasing the goddam booze tax.

say what you will fucking alcohol has killed more people than all the second-hand smoke you want to claim is such a hazard to your health.

But, when I go out of my way to go outside to smoke...and do not smoke around others who are non-smokers...and I am thus harming no one...and am enjoying a fucking legal product...why the hell should I be singled out?

Let someone else pay the fucking tab for once!

[ProudDad]

81. The facts are

CAUSES OF DEATH

................... DEATHS % COMPARED TO SMOKING
Alcohol-induced deaths.....19,086........04.4%
Assault (homicide).........16,831........03.9%
Drug-induced deaths........18,443........04.3%
Human immunodeficiency.....14,681........03.4%
virus (HIV) disease
Injury by firearms ........28,839........06.7%
Motor Vehicle Accidents....46,378........10.8%

TOTAL OF ALL ABOVE.........144,258.......33.5%

(Damn, I hate trying to do tables on DU!!!)


Cigarette smoking is responsible for more than 430,000 deaths each year, or one in every five deaths.


However, I am also uncomfortable about using a demonized class of people as a funding source. It really ISN'T FAIR... I'd rather see the bush tax cuts be repealed and the money used for HR676 - Single-Payer for ALL...

This bullshit is just rearranging the deck chairs on the Titanic -- shoveling more money at the fucking for-profit insurance mafia and big pharma...

Here's the REAL solution: http://www.house.gov/conyers/news_health_care.htm

[PoconoPragmatist]

87. Exactly

IT ISN'T FAIR!!

I choose to use a legal product, with the full knowledge that it is bad for my health. I go out of my way to subject no one else to the consequences of my own unhealthy decision. Why the fuck should I be penalized for this?

[NashVegas]

57. "Paying Your Share"

See that's the question: who's share is it? Everyone's, or one select group of social outcasts?

Is it not more wise to spread it equitably? Imagine if all smokers did manage to quit: how much money would be wasted in the back-tracking to find another source of revenue?

[tabasco]

66. How do you know whether I smoke or not?

It sounds like you really want to quit.

Good luck!

[PittPoliSci]

70. that sounds sketchy to me.

can you back those stats up?

[PoconoPragmatist]

76. Fair Enough

I can't back them up right now, don't have those sources at the tip of my fingers, but I will look for them. This is something I have seen before.

Meanwhile, why not try a quick Google search to see what you can find on your own. I'll update what I find later. big storm in the area now, so I want to be off the computer.

[PoconoPragmatist]

79. Here Ya Go...The Backup You Requested....

Canada's cigarette pack addiction warning - required since 2000

http://whyquit.com/whyquit/LinksAAddiction.html




WARNING: Cigarettes are highly addictive

Studies have shown that tobacco can be harder to quit than heroin or cocaine.


click the link if ya don't believe me.

Here's more....

http://whyquit.com/whyquit/A_RelativeAddictiveness.html


And yet some more...

http://whyquit.com/whyquit/A_Henningfield_Benowitz.html

[PittPoliSci]

91. wow.

cool. thanks.

i appreciate it, i didn't know that!

[PoconoPragmatist]

93. No Problem

Lots did not know this...and your request for me to verify my claims was entirely justified. I'd not have believed it myself, if I hadn't seen it documented.

[ProudDad]

80. Yep

I quit cigarettes about 22 years ago after 27 years of smoking.

It was NOT easy but it WAS easy...once I really decided to quit...

You sound like you're ready. Believe it can be done and it can be done!!!

Good Luck!

[NashVegas]

95. "It Was Not Easy But It Was Easy"

That's such a great way to put it although, technically, I'm not at the point yet where I'll say I've quit.

For some time, aside from enjoying certain physical routines, the #1 reason I continued to smoke was that I didn't want to give the more obnoxious, sanctimonious anti-smokers anything to pat themselves on the back for. But sometimes, you just gotta put yourself first

I've been using gum for 5 weeks now. Down to about 1 mg per day. I'm one person this tax is not going to be extorted from.

[ProudDad]

99. Good for you!

"I'm one person this tax is not going to be extorted from"

For me the final straw after years of trying to quit was stinking up my brand new sports car on the ride home...

"the #1 reason I continued to smoke was that I didn't want to give the more obnoxious, sanctimonious anti-smokers anything to pat themselves on the back for. But sometimes, you just gotta put yourself first"

Put yourself (and your health) FIRST. BECOME one of us obnoxious, sanctimonious ex-smokers (a growing group -- we live longer) and pat yourself on the back!!! It's FUN!!!

[NashVegas]

55. Pretty Much Everything Has the Potential to Be Destructive

That's the point.

Let's see .... how about higher taxes on soda (HFCS)?

Video games (social interaction)?

SUVs?

Propane gas tanks?

[tabasco]

67. But very few realize the potential as well as cigarettes.

Let's be honest, shall we?

[Guaranteed]

58. So let's tax smokers every time a new program comes up?

I think what people are objecting to are the countless trips to that particular well...

[tabasco]

65. Just until they quit.

Problem solved.

[NashVegas]

71. And Then What?

Where will the monies come from next?

[PoconoPragmatist]

88. Bingo!! We Have A Winner!!!

I, as a smoker, am sick and fucking tired of being demonized for it...and always tapped for money. It's horseshit.

So I choose to use A LEGAL PRODUCT...which I use knowing full well it may result in negative health consequences for myself.

I do not smoke in the house, or in any area that is not SPECIFICALLY DESIGNATED AND SET ASIDE FOR SMOKERS. Therefore, I do not cause unwilling people to share in the destructive results of my indulgence.

I happen to enjoy the taste of cigarettes (I smoke menthol...and under half a pack a day - I'm not severely addicted, but I like the taste, and why should I have to give up all MY pleasures??)

My point is...I choose to use a legal product, knowing full well the potential health consequences to myself...and go out of my way to insure nobody unwillingly shares that risk with me. So why the fuck should I be demonized, penalized, and always hit up for money? It fuckin' sucks! How about going after the fucking boozehounds once in a while??

I can tell you, growing up the child of a miserable fucking asshole alcoholic...that alcohol did far more damage to me than cigarettes EVER will.

[azurnoir]

36. What about an additional tax on alcohol?

The tobacco tax idea was supposed to make this an easy win, smokers are of course the favorite bad guy, with over weight people being next in line, but if the real purpose is to raise monies for kids insurance wouldn't alcohol be a more logical target? There are most likely more drinkers then smokers right now and alcohol costs billions not only in health care, but also in law enforcement, and social services.

[bain_sidhe]

41. Don't worry. Only smokers' kids will be covered

That's all I can figure. Because otherwise, it would be unfair to make a small group of "disfavored" individuals pay for benefits for everybody. Must be just for smokers' kids, right?

**edit: misplaced apostrophe**

[PoconoPragmatist]

43. As A Smoker

I agree.
I am sick and tired of being penalized because I enjoy a legal product! i'm tired of having all the burden placed on me because I happen to enjoy a legal product!

Because cigarettes are so expensive now, I have taken to rolling my own. So now, I pay about 15 bucks for supplies enough to make 2 cartons of cigarettes, which lasts me nearly 3 months. The old way, I was paying over 40 bucks a carton. enough is enough!

i'm all in favor of kids getting healthcare, too...but why should the expense fall only to me and my fellow smokers? Christ, I don't even have health insurance, and tyet I'm supposed to pay for someone ELSE to have it? I'm a liberal, but what sort of shit is that?

[NashVegas]

56. I Haven't Had a Smoke in Almost 5 Weeks - Same Reason

Until two days ago, I was chewing the occasional Nicorette.

I considered switching and rolling my own, but this just seemed more expedient. Really, I'd love to see every smoker quit - not to magically, instantly make the world a perfect place - and see who'll be completely demonized and hit with the $7.8 bill next.

[Demeter]

59. You Keep On Like That, You're Just Like My Mom

Dead 9 years this November 2nd from cancer. It went from her lungs (which can be eradicated) to her brain (which is always fatal). She was 63 years old.

[PoconoPragmatist]

63. Sorry For Your Loss

But none of us gonna live forever, we are all going to die of something...that's one of the basic rules of life. In order to get in the game, you have to agree to quit playing some day.

that said, why would I want to live 80-90 years miserable, denying myself every pleasure...just in order to live a couple years longer?

I'd rather live 60 years happy and satisfied than 80 years denying myself everything.

[Demeter]

75. She Spent 5 Years Dying A Horrible Death

and she made the same argument--didn't want to live to be ninety like her grandparents.

[PoconoPragmatist]

77. Eat, Run, Stay Fit, Live Healthy...

AND DIE ANYWAY!!

Screw it, I'd rather enjoy life, and if that means I get 5 or ten years less, so be it. Who the hell is gonna miss me? No one.

[ProudDad]

82. For the last 15 years I was addicted

I HATED FUCKING SMOKING!!!

It wasn't fun. It was dangerous and unhealthy and expensive and disgusting.

But I was addicted...

Finally all those years of the filthy things...the falling asleep with a lit ciggie nearly burning myself up, the shortness of breath, the ashes and stench everywhere...

Enough, enough...

There's NOTHING about smoking that can remotely be called "enjoying life"...

Sorry, that's a major, addict's cop-out...

[PoconoPragmatist]

89. ...

I disagree.

I happen to enjoy the taste. I don't find that I'm all that strongly addicted, myself. I routinely go 4 and 5 hours without a cigarette, and no problem, either.

How many of you have co-workers in the office who smoke...and go that long without a smoke?

Fact is, I smoke less than 1/2 pack a day, generally...and more because I enjoy the taste...and something to do with my hands. I know, that sounds stupid, but there it is.

Ever since I began on Fluoxetine for my chronic acute depression, I have noticed that my addiction to nicotine is quite low, anymore. And I believe the anti-depressants have something to do with this, too.

[ProudDad]

97. You'd be amazed at how good

food tastes once you're free of the dulling effect on your taste buds of cigarette smoke. Even "only 1/2 pack a day" kills your taste centers.

That was one of the first GREAT gifts I received when I quit along with being able to breath.

[PoconoPragmatist]

98. Not Being Swayed

I could care less. I enjoy my cigarettes, and I'll not be coerced into giving them up, just because someone ELSE does not like them. Tough. I'm tired of being demonized for being a cigarette smoker...and pot smpokers are regarded as heroes!

I do my best not to subject others to the consequences of my decision to smoke cigarettes...I do not smoke in the house...and I only smoke outdoors...in my own car...or only in areas specifically designated and set aside for smokers...like a freaking leper colony!

Now I've had enough. It's time smokers were acknowledged as having feelings and rights too...so, with all I do to avoid sharing the consequences of my smoking with unwilling persons, my attitude is now this...If my smoking STILL bothers you, then...Thank you for holding your breath while I smoke!

[ProudDad]

100. How's that attitude working for you?

"If my smoking STILL bothers you, then...Thank you for holding your breath while I smoke!"

Make a lot of friends that way?

Does it make your food taste better, fill your lungs with healthy air?

Does it ease your tension, lower your stress levels?

How about your heart? Does it ease the strain on your heart and arteries?

Your right to smoke ENDS at the tip of my nose, my friend! Thank DOG that finally the laws of the land are beginning to recognize that fact and give those of us who choose NOT to be poisoned the tools we need to be free of excess carcinogenic materials.

When I was a cigarette addict, I too would have reacted like you reacted in this post, my friend. I believe that reaction is part of the addiction; the incredibly, irrational defense of a useless habit that's filling the deep pockets of the capitalist masters who own and profit from the tobacco corporations at our expense.

I've also heard heroin, prescription drug and meth addicts react in much the same defensive way about their addictions...

But see, as long as you don't subject anyone else to your addiction, I acknowledge your "feelings" -- I had many of them myself back in my addiction. Your smoking doesn't bother me, that's your choice.

You obviously don't like your habit or the kind of life it forces you to lead. "like a freaking leper colony!"

I think you'd be happier putting it down...

Good Luck

[TwilightGardener]

9. It's hard to imagine a more politically damaging headline.

Goodness me, what idiots. Keep it up, guys! All the way to '08!

[rodeodance]

30. yeah, love the headline. uncaring sob's!!

[meow2u3]

11. Republicans want to keep your kids sick

if you aren't willing to take the food out of their mouths to pay for health care.

[Miss Chybil]

13. I'm sure a lot of children and their parents would be delighted with "Hillarycare." nt

[Theduckno2]

16. To think of all those senior citizens that were dragged into Medicare!

Oh, the horror! How they long for the opportunity to pay premiums to private insurers! Notify the UN!

I saw Sicko today and I swear many of these Republicans are some of the most twisted, conniving and dastardly bastards I have ever seen.

"Dragging people out of private health insurance to put them in a government-run program..."

Oh, the humanity!

[Faygo Kid]

18. And AARP is backing children's health care to the hilt. GOP is nuts to oppose this.

You've got the right idea - the biggest senior group is backing the SCHIP legislation with money and muscle. Not sure it's enough, though. Bush seems to get his way no matter what, except on Social Security.

[ProudDad]

83. Does anyone know where the SCHIP money goes?

Does it go directly to health care or does it go to for-profit health insurance companies...

Since AARP IS also a private health insurance company, I'd understand this if the money's going to for-profit, private insurance companies...

I'm very suspicious about this:

http://www.nctimes.com/articles/2007/07/21/news/politic...

"The multimillion-dollar lobbying effort to expand a children's health insurance program is creating some strange bedfellows.

"Seniors are joining with doctors. Unions with health providers. The pharmaceutical industry with one of its biggest critics, the advocacy group Families USA. They share the same goal -- expanding the State Children's Health Insurance Program."

<clip>

"AARP, with its 39 million members, and the American Medical Association, plan to make it uncomfortable for Republican lawmakers to agree with the administration's position. On Friday, the two organizations announced a lobbying campaign that they said will likely exceed $2 million."


I'm Very Very suspicious. Big pharma's motives are clear -- they make billions more since there are no price controls on this spending.

I still wonder if the money's going to for-profit "insurance" companies...


HR 676 would make this ENTIRELY UNNECESSARY!!!

http://www.house.gov/conyers/news_hr676_2.htm

[liberal N proud]

19. They only care about the unborn child

Why do they hate children?
Once a child is no longer a fetus, they have no use for them until they are 18 and can fight their wars.

[PoconoPragmatist]

46. Not Quite

They care about the children...until the children start to cost THEM money. then the children get a giant middle finger.

Ketchup as a vegetable, anyone?

[ProudDad]

84. I am a Friend of the Foetus

I am no friend to the fathers and mothers
And I am no friend to the sisters and brothers
And I am no friend to the weak and distressed
And I am no friend to the poor and oppressed... BUT

I'm a friend of the foetus, a friend of incomparable worth
I'm a friend of the foetus, right up to the moment of birth

Oh, once it's a baby, I will not go near it
I will not fead it and I will not rear it
And when it is crying, I won't even hear it
For I have no room in my heart for a human... BUT --- Cho

I will not weep for it, I won't lose sleep for it
I will not care for it, I won't be there for it
I'll back away from it, I won't go grey from it
I will not pray for it, and I won't pay for it... All together now

CHO;;; Let it get a job,
Right up to the moment of birth!

The republican anthem...

Carole Rose Livingston -- may she rest in Peace...

[proud patriot]

23. Have they no shame ?

Bastards

[SeattleGirl]

24. The GOP motto: To Hell With The Kids

What a bunch of self-centered asshole fuckwads!

[Tandalayo_Scheisskopf]

26. At what point...

Do the repukes throw all pretense to the wind and allow themselves to be photographed at a Chinese Monkey Table, eating the brains of live babies?

[onewholaughsatfools]

27. and this means what

just because boehner, McConnell and Lott don't want to help the uninsured kids does that mean the rest of the republican's will follow suit........

[AllyCat]

29. They talk good lines to the press, but then vote lockstep with the

rest of the Republicans. So, yeah, they'll all vote against it, even though many say they support SCHIP.

[Faygo Kid]

39. They DO vote lockstep. I hear the Horst Wessel Song when I think of the GOP.

Ultimately, they do not break ranks, despite the occasional weak-kneed and politically convenient dissent. This is not your Eisenhower, Ford or even Goldwater or Reagan GOP. They have sold their souls to Rosemary's Baby, George W. Bush. Listen to the footsteps; hear the music. Die, die, die daaa, die DIE da da da die die. . . (Remember, this doesn't line up as well as in the original German).

Flags high, ranks closed,
The S.A. marches with silent solid steps.
Comrades shot by the red front and reaction
march in spirit with us in our ranks.

The street free for the brown battalions,
The street free for the Storm Troopers.
Millions, full of hope, look up at the swastika;
The day breaks for freedom and for bread.

[AllyCat]

28. WTF? Dragging people out of private insurance?

Boner (sic), here's a message: These people HAVE NO FRICKIN' HEALTH INSURANCE!!!! Gov't run it lots better than NONE you idiot!!

[Imagevision]

31. The repugs are a renegade side of this government, the kind that took off JFK...!

[rodeodance]

32. ...In an unexpected turn of events,-Bush got to them!!

[rodeodance]

33. “imposes an open-ended financial burden on American taxpayers " but the war??

In a letter to colleagues, Mr. McConnell and Mr. Lott said that the measure “imposes an open-ended financial burden on American taxpayers and takes a significant step toward a government-run health care system.”

[PoconoPragmatist]

47. Ah, Yes, The War...

I bet someone there has a vested interest in a coffin manufacturing company somewhere!!

[rodeodance]

34. “Republicans are pursuing this strategy on the backs of poor children.”

Six Republicans voted for the bill. Mr. McConnell said other Republican senators were concerned about “the size of the plan that came out of the Finance Committee and what that may portend for the future in terms of an entire government takeover of American health care and, in essence, a single-payer system down the road.”

Representative Diana DeGette, Democrat of Colorado, a leading proponent of the House bill, said: “For the longest time, I was mystified why Republicans would oppose expansion of the Children’s Health Insurance Program to kids who are eligible but not enrolled. Now I realize. They are trying to deny us a political victory. They want to be able to say that Democrats can’t get anything done.

“Unfortunately,” Ms. DeGette said, “Republicans are pursuing this strategy on the backs of poor children.”

[kurth]

37. The GOP war against American children

and their parents.

[HowHasItComeToThis]

38. REMEMBER, 10% of your insurance premium goes to...

THE REPUBLICAN CABAL

[bluesmail]

40. In the mail on Wednesday there was a mailing from Phillip Morris

That asked the question, are you or someone you know a smoker? No higher taxes, call your representatives.

[AllyCat]

68. And I wonder what percentage of health care fees billed to insurance

are to cover those who have no insurance? We're already paying for it and at a huge, huge cost since we don't pay until these folks are REALLY sick and have to be treated in the ER where they cannot, by law, be turned away.

I don't care for sin taxes (ciggie taxes) and I HATE smoking, but ultimately, these kids need help. If we weren't shipping all our tax money to Halliburton, this wouldn't even be an issue.

(on edit: what am I thinking? Of course, it would be an issue. Repukes hate the children)

[madrchsod]

42. ain`t getting any money out of me!

i quit in 1981...

dragging people out of private health insurance? how much do these assholes pay for their insurance?

[Danger Mouse]

48. Government run health insurance?

Oh no! The horror! It's...it's...just lie...gasp...SOCIALISM!!
These repuke scum make my stomach churn. They couldn't give a rat's ass about the kids or their families. I hope people are taking note of what these turds are doing, and remember it when '08 comes around.
Vile repuke pusbags, your day of reckoning approaches.

[Rosa Luxemburg]

49. Dear GOP your party should be dismantled

[mcg]

51. "the less care they give them, the more money they make"

This is all about a few people making mega millions of dollars,
like the heads of private insurance companies and tobacco companies.
Those are the people behind this opposition to providing medical care
to needy children.

Ehrlichman: "the less care they give them, the more money they make."

President Nixon: "Fine."

http://en.wikisource.org/wiki/Special:Search?search=Tra...

Michael Moore Sicko Clip about Nixon and HMOs
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.ph...

[WildClarySage]

52. Question for Boehner: Why is the government a buncha incompetent bozos when

it comes to social programs for the poor, but highly trustworthy and competent when it comes to dictating healthcare decisions for women, determining medicare prescription benefits and leading our best and bravest into war?

They always pull out that private sector crap when it comes to social programs, saying that government is not the best arbitors of our money, that industry can do it cheaper/easier, etc. but we're supposed to trust these same 'idiots' with decisions on foreign policy, voting issues, and reproductive issues like abortion and stem cell policy.

Well, Boner? Which is it, are ya'll geniuses or idjits?

Yeah, I thought so.

[moore_rocks]

54. Hmm, can't believe there's a topic I can agree with the Gop

I don't have a problem with supplying Health care for kids but this is not the way
and I plan on telling my representatives to either vote no on this bill or fund it
some other way. It's just not fair to put the burden on a small percentage of the
American people.

Anyone who cares about health insurance for children shouldn't mind helping pay for it
otherwise you can't say you care about these kids anymore then the GOP cares about
them.

[Demeter]

60. Do You Have Any Idea How Much Smokers Cost This Nation?

The health bills for themselves and the people they pollute, the insurance premiums, the house fires, in no way is this exceeded by the taxes on this leathal, "legal" only by definition product.

[NashVegas]

62. More Than 7.8 Billion, You Think?

That's what smokers currently pay per year in federal taxes alone. I've seen reports that claim we spend some $80 billion per year to treat smoking-related illnesses, and they come to that figure by accounting the cost of anything and everything that *could* be related to smoking, and declare that it *is.*

States get the following additions:

http://www.taxadmin.org/FTA/rate/cigarett.html

[PoconoPragmatist]

90. Someone Got It Right

they come to that figure by accounting the cost of anything and everything that *could* be related to smoking, and declare that it *is.*

Exactly.

Shit, if the sun comes up in the west, tomorrow, guarantee some asshole will blame it on smoking.

[City Lights]

61. Hiya moore_rocks!

Welcome to DU!

[DuaneBidoux]

73. Smoking kills 18,000 per year. What does that cost us? Bunches!!

[ProudDad]

85. Smoking kills over 400,000 per year (n/t)

[Sparkly]

64. As a former smoker, I think any further taxes on cigarettes should go to cessation programs.

I've always thought it odd for cigarette taxes to go for road projects etc... It just seems like a tax a lot of people can support, because smoking is a voluntary act and the cost is a disincentive to continue it.

But that's a bit disingenuous to me. If it's about discouraging smoking, and not exploiting the addiction for unrelated revenue, why not use cigarette taxes to fund cessation programs, making therapies like nicotine replacement, zyban, hypnosis, acupuncture, support groups etc. all freely available??

[DuaneBidoux]

74. I have no problem with liquor taxes or cigarette taxes (or any other taxes for that matter)...

supporting efforts to get kids medical care. Treating these kids is not only the right thing to do but will ultimately save society a great deal of money in future productivity losses not seen, higher income and education levels and thus a whole range of benefits.

I don't smoke, but I do drink, and if I have the luxury to buy Scotch (my preferred drink) then I certainly don't mind doing something to help kids--but I guess that's just my liberal streak.

[ProudDad]

86. I agree

HR 676 would take care of the problem of children without Health Care...

Cigarette taxes should be available for treatment on demand.

Just as the phony "war on drugs" should cease immediately and 1/4 of the money used for treatment on demand and the rest -- Hey, use it for Health Care!!!

Also, cut the war budget by 3/4 and use the money for universal single-payer HOUSING AND FOOD ALLOWANCES. No one in this country should be homeless. No one in this country should want for food.

[DuaneBidoux]

72. Now they show themselves for what they really are: cuts for kids, tax cuts for rich.

[depakid]

78. Memo to Ohians in Boehner's district

Those of you who voted for this person deserve every single thing you're going to get in the coming decade.

[radfringe]

92. their concern for the life of a child

ends once the child is born

[Vinca]

94. It's hard to understand these people. They'll worship a frozen,

150 cell embryo, yet allow living and breathing children to suffer and sometimes die. And most of them call themselves "Christians." Right.

[leaninglib]

96. I object as well.

I read something about a $10 tax for each cigar! That is completely nuts!

[Supersedeas]

101. surely, this must be one of the TV Networks top news stories...no...wonder why?