The only Republican to vote for healthcare

The only Republican to vote for healthcare
by Anonymouse
08-Nov-2009
 

Last night as I was getting ready to watch Saturday Night Live, there was breaking news that the healthcare bill has passed the house and one Republican has voted for the bill. 

Last year I wrote a blog about him at persianmirror.com. 

This lone Republican is Joseph Cao who won William Jefferson's seat last year after he was found guilty of bribery for stashing $200,000 in cold (literally) hard cash in his freezer!  Last year about this time he was being interviewed by Betty Nguyen from CNN, another Vietnamese American, after he had won this heavily democratic district.

She asked him how did you win and he answered honestly that he was hoping there would be low turnout.  So he won and now he can tell his district to come and vote en mass!  Having a Vietnamese barber for the past 6 years and few co-workers at work I know alittle about Vietnamese culture and I talked with them about him last year. Vietnamese cuisine is by the way much much healtier than Chinese food.

I really like him and he has shown his courage as well as representing his district by voting for this bill. Everybody knows him now and he's an interesting political figure to follow!

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more from Anonymouse
 
vildemose

There should be a private

by vildemose on

There should be a private vs. Public option. Craig, why do you want to take that choice away from people?

BTW, did you approve of the bailout of those "too big to fail" banks using the public option money (i.e. our taxes)?


ex programmer craig

Anonymous

by ex programmer craig on

First of all it is not a "fact" that it is going to be run by the
Government.  At most there is a "public option" that may or may not be an option in the end. 

Now you are parsing words! If the Government places healthcare under Government Administration (which is what they are doing as we speak) that means healthcare will be run by the Government. Government doens't have to be the actual service provider for that to happen.

I for one approve of the public "option" and see it as "another
option" when we choose our current insurance from HMOs or PPOs or etc.

I haven't commented on the "public option" at all yet. If the public option was instituted as a stand-alone measure in conjunction with reform of the rest of the system, I wouldn't have a problem with it. But when combined with Obama's stated intent to cap what insurance companies can charge for coverage and his stated intent to require insurance companies to accept all applicants (at a flat rate?) regardless of their medical history, age, etc... there's a pretty good chance that over time the public option will be the only option.

And Obama HAS stated during public appearances in the past that this is a desireable outcome. You can't make that go away. When the President of the United States is on record (in the past)stating that he thinks the Government should be the sole provider of health care, and then he  comes up with a health plan that seems to be a first step towards nationalizing the whole system...but says that isn't what he's trying to do - should we believe him? I'll say right here and now that I don't.

You think if you pay $75,000 in taxes you want to see what it is paid
for personally?

No, I want the government to either spend more of MY MONEY on things that benefit me, or to take less of MY MONEY. Because, it's MY MONEY. It doesn't belong to the Government.

I understand the need for taxes to pay for things of common interest, but taxes for the purpose of wealth redistribution are morally and ethically wrong.

Lastly, calling Obama a socialist and then insulting socialism is
like calling Iranian mullahs Arabs and then insulting Arabs. 

No, it's more like calling Iranian mullahs "Islamists". 

It is just deflecting the real problem and blaming something else. 

I don't agree. I think the real problem is trying to implement socialsim in America, and it's you who is deflecting by pretending that isn't what is happening.

So if that is the case, reform the system and then you don't have to do any of the stuff Fox News personalities don't want US to do.  

Now who is engaging in evasive hyperbole? :p


maziar 58

...........

by maziar 58 on

I heard it on talk radio that they are going to put it in law for every one to have it  (purchasin gov. insurance) just like car insurance first they'll  Issue the ticket you come-up  with a proof  or else they put you in jail....

where can I buy  BIMEYE ABOLFAZL ?Maziar


Anonymouse

$13K insurance premiums is the same whether u make $60K or $300K

by Anonymouse on

Everything is sacred.


Q

Craig, you double nailed it!!!

by Q on

The US has a lot more poor people then Denmark does,

Yes, the first step to recovery is to admit the problem.


Anonymouse

Let's add several millions who pay but can barely afford health

by Anonymouse on

So before we even worry about the future of a reform, what is it about the current system that is so good that should be left alone?

The fact that it isn't run by the Government. 

First of all it is not a "fact" that it is going to be run by the Government.  At most there is a "public option" that may or may not be an option in the end.  I for one approve of the public "option" and see it as "another option" when we choose our current insurance from HMOs or PPOs or etc.  Currently there is a big difference between the premiums for HMOS or PPOs and people (with different incomes) choose differently.

Secondly, since the current costs is actually not affordable anymore and if left alone will probably be out of reach of millions of more people, it has already failed.  God bless you that you have enough means to pay for your insurance but for many the system has already failed them.  I'm not talking about the 47 million, I'm talking about those who pay but can barely afford it and have to cut other necessities to pay for it. 

It's like the unemployment and under-employment. When economy is tough you take any job but it doesn't mean that you are off the hook.  Heck you may have an underpaying job that requires you to pay for health insurance.  And there are many living like that.

You think if you pay $75,000 in taxes you want to see what it is paid for personally?  I can use the same argument for many in this very website who yell Israel and AIPAC are mass murderers, that they are paying for Israel and AIPAC!  Yes sir ee!  

So you see we all pay taxes for things we don't necessarily approve of and in the end there are expenses like health insurance that are just another hidden tax which are often much more than the 5% or 10% VAT that you're so afraid of.  Again it is like when they robbed us of our 401Ks in broad day light.  Red blooded capitalism they yelled!

Lastly, calling Obama a socialist and then insulting socialism is like calling Iranian mullahs Arabs and then insulting Arabs.  It is just deflecting the real problem and blaming something else.  It is like you say, US pays for UN and policing the world and doing all this good in the world but apparently somehow keeping the current healthcare system free of reform is the reason she can.  So if that is the case, reform the system and then you don't have to do any of the stuff Fox News personalities don't want US to do.  

Everything is sacred.


capt_ayhab

Craig

by capt_ayhab on

Got to admit, you nailed it:

[such as paying for the UN, paying for the defense of Europe (including Denmark) paying for the defense of South Korea, Japan, Taiwan, etc.
Paying to be the world police
.]

good job dude

-YT 


capt_ayhab

hogwash !

by capt_ayhab on

Read 'em and weep,

An average family health insurance policy now costs more
than some compact cars, and four in 10 companies will likely pass more
of that expense on to workers, according to a closely watched survey of
businesses released Tuesday.

Year     Single     Family     
2000     $2,471     $6,438
2001     $2,689     $7,061
2002     $3,083     $8,003
2003     $3,383     $9,068
2004     $3,695     $9,950
2005     $4,024     $10,880
2006     $4,242     $11,480
2007     $4,479     $12,106
2008     $4,704     $12,680
2009     $4,824     $13,375

//www.usatoday.com/money/industries/health/20...

 

-YT 


ex programmer craig

MeyBokhor_Manbarbesuzan

by ex programmer craig on

The US has a lot more poor people then Denmark does, and a lot of other social problems Denmark doesn't have. We also have a lot of expenses Denmark doens't have, such as paying for the UN, paying for the defense of Europe (including Denmark) paying for the defense of South Korea, Japan, Taiwan, etc. Paying to be the world police. Paying to improve (or try to improve) living conditions in the third world. And so on. Being a nation of immigrants, we also have a constant and heavy influx of people who come here with very little and require substantial amounts of time before they start contributing to society. Tax dollars go a lot further in Denmark than they do in the US.


ex programmer craig

Anonymouse

by ex programmer craig on

I don't understand what you mean by "tit for tat" arguments... I don't undertsand why you attributed to me arguments that i didn't put forward, either.

These are the (only) two I mentioned:

- value added tax


- cutting benefits

As far as taxes, considering how large a piece of the pie the medical industry is in the US economy, it's going to take a lot more than a VAT to pay for it! So lets say a 5% increase in Fedral tax rate, a 3% (average) increase in State Tex rate, and a 5% (to start!) VAT on all goods and services. That would be a 13% reduction in the income of every American. And that's just to start... as I'm sure you know, government bureaucracy never gets more efficient over time, but rather does the exact opposite since there is no profit motive. Somebody has to pay for that inefficiency, and that will obviously be you and me.

So which is the good part about having our real world wages drastically cut in order to receive reduced health benefits, Anonymouse? Why is this an obscure argument? It seems quite simple, to me, and quite obvious.

I'm not ignoring the "facts" about taxes.  Here's another Iranian
saying for today; luxuries by the dozen, necessities like bread and
water none!

This isn't Iran. If I'm paying $75,000 a year in taxes, I want to see some benefit from that. Me, personally. Yes, I know the Government has expenses that are not related to me personally, but the government also has responsibilties to me personally for the money they take from me. How much of that $75,000 is being spent on things that benefit me, personally? Half of 1% on police and fire? Another half of 1% on infrastructure? Another 1% on paying governmental salaries at the state and local level?

Where's the rest of my money!?

We're being told that American healthcare is the best and second to none, yet about 47 million do not have it! 

So the solution is to hammer everyone with taxes, cut the benefits of the 250 million people who DO have medical coverage, and provide some crappy version of universal coverage to all 300 million people in the US. Lowest common denominator, right? It's obvious!

From each according to his ability (wealth) to each according to his need(lack of wealth). Worked great for the USSR and I'm sure it will work just as well in the US.

So before we even worry about the future of a reform, what is it
about the current system that is so good that should be left alone?

The fact that it isn't run by the Government.

While yes the Govt can screw things up but then again there has rarely
been a legislation that was 100% perfect from the beginning.

You talk as if this is a minor tweak... the Government is in the process of nationalizing the health care industry!

Don't check mate yourself and feel all gloomy, what is your view on
a reform?  What kind of reform would you approve that would work?

The government is not talking about reform, they are talking about taking over health care. That's been the plan of Obama (and his advisors and fellow travellers) since he was in college.

You want a discount plan? Like the one I noted earlier?!

Nope! I want the existing system to be reformed, rather than scrapped and put under Government administration.

But I see you don't view things the way I do, and are much more comfortable with socialism than I am, so there's probably no meeting of the minds possible on this. Obama is going to do whatever he wants to do. He has the votes he needs. We'll all see the result sooner or later, when its too late to do anything about it. And we can argue about who was right and who was wrong, then. It's really a pointless discussion now. The deed is done.

 


Anonymouse

Come on Craig these are tit for tat arguments

by Anonymouse on

- value added tax

- cutting benefits

- long doctor lines

- tort reform (more profits for ins companies)

- etc

I'm not ignoring the "facts" about taxes.  Here's another Iranian saying for today; luxuries by the dozen, necessities like bread and water none!

Aftabeh lagan 7 dast, sham-o nahar hich!

We're being told that American healthcare is the best and second to none, yet about 47 million do not have it!  I'm not disputing that the American healthcare is not the best in terms of technology and advancement but in terms coverage and availability?

So before we even worry about the future of a reform, what is it about the current system that is so good that should be left alone? While yes the Govt can screw things up but then again there has rarely been a legislation that was 100% perfect from the beginning.

Don't check mate yourself and feel all gloomy, what is your view on a reform?  What kind of reform would you approve that would work? You want a discount plan? Like the one I noted earlier?!

Everything is sacred.


MeyBokhor_Manbarbesuzan

To Nousha Arzu

by MeyBokhor_Manbarbesuzan on

"They want to turn America into Europe, decadent and socialist"

FYI, I live in one of those decadent countries and below is a short description of life here in Denmark:
Yes, I pay nearly 50% of my income in taxes. I also pay 6 dollars a gallon for gas plus a surcharge of 175% on purchase of a new car.

On the other side of the scale, I had a free college and university education (masters in optical engineering) plus an allowance of 350 dollars during my study. I could also work during my studies as students do in the US.

I arrived in Denmark in 1984 and since then have not paid a single medical bill. My dental expenses are very affordable, and I am allowed to choose my own doctors. And if the local hospital has a long waiting list for whatever it is I am suffering, I can choose another hospital in the country and even in a neighbouring country -- all free of course.

In either the private or public sector, if one has worked for more than 3 months and is fired, he will receive three months salary, and up to 6 months depending on employment history. Everyone has 6 weeks of paid vacation regardless of employment history plus almost unlimited number of sick days. We have even days allowed to take our children to doctors, etc.

Public transportation system is very advanced though with occasional delays common to all big cities.

And in every international opinion survey, Danes are one of the happiest people on the planet.

So my advice to you is limiting your comments to things you understand and can grasp before making judgements on people and nations you only know through Fox and Rupert Murdock's other crap outlets.

So let us Europeans live in this decadent continent of ours, and you in that great nation of yours burdened by Manifest Destiny.

As for me, I am starting my fully paid 3-month-long paternity leave tomorrow, I thought you might want to know.


ex programmer craig

Anonymouse

by ex programmer craig on

Those who have health insurance and can afford it their new bill will not change and will most likely get reduced in the long run.

You are completely ignoring the impact value added taxes and increase in the federal and state income tax levels will have on people.

You are also completely ignoring the impact that government-run healthcare is going to have on older Americans. The bulk of medical expenditures for most people are in the last few years of their life. If cuts are required to make universal healthcare as the Obama administration sees it "affordable" then that's where the cuts will be. I was talking to my mom the other day about this and she isn't very worried because she can afford supplemental insurance to go along with medicare. So can everyone else in my family. But what about everyone else? Isn't this plan supposed to enhance everyone's coverage? Or is it just to give crappy coverage to more people? Because, I wouldn't want to be old and living on nothing but social security and in poor health, and then on top of that find out the Obama plan is going to be cutting the builk of my options when it comes to medical care.

And before you say that taxes aren't going to be a burden and that the government will not cut benefits... I been around a while, and I pay attention. I discovered the US Government lies! A lot!


Anonymouse

"Media bias" the answer to screwups from Nixon to Palin

by Anonymouse on

Once again healthcare costs are already a big tax on individuals and families. Those who have health insurance and can afford it their new bill will not change and will most likely get reduced in the long run.

How much is too much for health insurance premium?  Take Joe plumber who makes about $60K - $70K a year and has a family of four.  On average his health insurance premium (for himself and his 2 kids, family) is about $300 - $400 / paycheck/ 2 weeks or about $9000 - $10,000 a year.  Wife has her own job and health insurance and pays about $80 - $100 / paycheck for individual. It'd cost more if she joins her husband's health insurance.

$9000 - $10000 may not sound like much for someone who is making a lot more than $60K - $70K /year (those making the "most" noise ;-) but for average families that is a hell of taxing a family.  I know because I know of families (at work) who struggle to pay their health insurance premiums.  Some are actually forced to pay at work and have no choice of declining.

Now imagine the couple lose their jobs and they both have to pay for their own COBRA.  Guess how much is COBRA premiums for a family of four?  A lot!

Much of these costs have been forced on people under the radar screen and it is now eating away at people's budgets and breaking their banks, when they are healthy and bankrupts them when they get sick.

So yes it is media's bias, liberals like Jimmy Carter and socialists like Obama who are the problem but not those who either want to kill any meaningful healthcare bill or fool people by making them even pay more.

However you take your tea, pour yourself a cup and let's roll.  The healthcare reform is taking off.  Choo, choo, choo, all aboard!

Everything is sacred.


Nousha Arzu

One more thing...

by Nousha Arzu on

For any one here who cares about America, and from the looks of it, we have a lot of people here who EITHER don't care about this country or are patently clueless -- universal health care will NOT help this country in any shape or form. It will raise all of our taxes, and further takes us into debt. We will become the Sweden of the American continent.

Pelosi was on Charlie Rose and she clearly said that a "value added tax" will have to be looked at (in order to pay for the health care bill) -- and for all who don't know what a value added tax is -- it's what they have in Europe, and it's going to be added on top of state taxes when you buy anything in this country. It's a federal tax at 5%, on top of your individual state taxes.

So, when you buy a refrigerator or a stick of gum, you not only will pay your state taxes, but also a federal value added tax in the future. So, all that bullcrap by Obama that those of us who make less than $250,000 would not pay more in taxes was baloney! The federal value added tax will affect EVERYBODY!

And guess what, even the democrats admit, that even if the health care bill is passed, some 25 million people will still be left uninsured, young people who will rather pay the fine ($1,000) than buy health insurance at a cost of $3,500-$4,000 per year.

Moreover, if you want REAL reform, the congress MUST have some sort of tort reform in any health care bill -- to put a cap on ridiculous medical maplpractice lawsuits, which raises the cost of health care for all of us, specially for doctors, who then pass it on to the patients. But Obama and Pelosi aren't doing ANYTHING about tort reform! Why? Because Obama's greatest and biggest supporters are the Trial Lawyers Association!

So, all this health care talk by the democrats is not only patently socialist, deceptive and foolhardy, but lame and irresponisble, and will only take this country further into debt (at a time when the country is on the verge of bankrupcy and 10% unemployment).

Of course, some of the hezbollahis on this site just love this health care bill, because they welcome any occasion that will further chip away at American prestige and power.

 

LONG LIVE THE GLORY OF KUROSH 


Nousha Arzu

I'll take Sara Palin

by Nousha Arzu on

over any democrat ANY day of the week! She knows who she is and she's real. And yes, she made some errors early on speaking to a biased media, but she was new to the forum. She had EVERY camera in the world on her -- she was not used to the glare of the spot light and she fumbled. But guess what, I'll take Sara and her early fumbles ANY day of the week over depraved leftists like Jimmy Carter, Hussein Obama and Nancy Pelosi -- these people are the enemy of this nation, period.

They want to turn America into Europe, decadent and socialist. I rather have a morally sound woman in the White House than an articulate leftists fiend who's friends with the likes of Chavez, Zelaya and soon, Ahmadinejad.

LONG LIVE THE GLORY OF KUROSH 


Anonymouse

Finally d SNL clip on Fox News Sat. I love the Glenn Beck skit!

by Anonymouse on


Anonymouse

Tonight on his news interview Cao said he voted yes because

by Anonymouse on

Tonight on his news interview Cao said he voted yes because "the people in my district do not have health insurance".  Simple as that. 

Everything is sacred.


Anonymouse

The most recent educated Republican "stars"; W, Palin & Quayle!

by Anonymouse on

Everything is sacred.


Anonymouse

Govt is not the solution but healthcare doesn't solve itself,

by Anonymouse on

Govt is not the solution but healthcare doesn't solve itself, if anything it only steals more from the public.  Of course the Govt should budget for it and there are a lot of savings to be made by reducing waste.  But the problem is never going away if the Govt does not start a reform process.

Start today and in a few years find out where you're at.  I don't know how many of you guys have actually seen friends or family lose their jobs and then realize the cost of having COBRA. 

The cost of having healthcare insurance is just not affordable or worthed anymore and when you actually need it they deny your coverage.  Now why would these companies want anything different?  Their motive is clear.  The more we say we can't afford it the more they like it.  We actually can not afford it as it is!

This is like the 2nd coming of the 401K grand theft which Wall street did to the whole population in broad day light. 

Everything is sacred.


NOT_AK69

So this is an Educated Democrat?

by NOT_AK69 on

AK69


Anonymouse

Daily Kos or Fox News?! This question is Sucks to Canada!

by Anonymouse on

Come on guys, I'm not reasonable, where did you ever get that idea?!

Craig do you know what Daily Kos means in Farsi? I won't tell you but will let you find that out on your own! S prounounced as S in Seattle.  You may want to ask one of your Iranian gal pal(s) and let us know!  Meanwhile, after you find out, you'll realize that I can not be against Daily Kos in good conscious!  I may have personal reasons preventing me from having Daily Kos from strangers but I can't be against it all together!

Anyway, I understand that the blogsphere and dailys such as Daily Kos or Huffingtgon Post were in response to conservative talk radio like Limbaugh.  I understand that Daily Kos for example is like the devil in Fox News community! 

I am aware of that abortion amendment and generally speaking these are political posturings while the real issues are all too clear and I-know-it-you-know-it-and-the-American-people-know-it! (Bob Dole :-)

Now it is my understanding that many Fox News personalities represent the khezbollah faction of the Republican party, but it is also my impression that Craig does not necessarily subscribe to those mentalities! I think the reason he uses them is simply to get into pissing contests with some people here.  I think having spent some time in this website, he has found this crowd to be much to his liking!

Now don't kill me if you don't agree. I just had a Turkish coffee reading about it.  I can get a Tarot card reading if it helps!

Everything is sacred.


capt_ayhab

symbol of educated republican

by capt_ayhab on

Educated republican? contradiction in terms.

 

-YT 


Onlyiran

The reason why he voted for it

by Onlyiran on

was mainly because he represents a heavily Democractic district in Louisiana.  He only won that seat after the scandal involving Rep. William Jefferson (the guy with the stacks of money in his freezer).  He really had no choice but to vote for it, as he has an uphill battle in the next election.  Here is a quote from NPR:

"Freshman Rep. Joseph Cao of Louisiana was the lone Republican to vote for the bill. He represents a heavily Democratic district, and faces an uphill re-election battle next year."

And here's a link to the full article from NPR:

//www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120220977


ex programmer craig

ID

by ex programmer craig on

Hopefully Obama would be able to spend more money on education in this country and that problem would be solved too

Sorry, dear, but it's been proven time after time that Republicans are on average much better educated and more intelligent than democrats. Taller and better looking too, but that part is highly subjective of course. If you ever got your wish the democratic party would cease to exist. They thrive on misery, ignorance and poverty. If they didn't have the opportunity to offer free stuff to people whose lives are not good, they wouldn't win a single election.

And is that really all you had to say after I made the effort to point out youyr apparent hypocrisy?


IRANdokht

Ex PC

by IRANdokht on

you said: FOX News is the most popular news channel in the US, and Rush Limbaugh has the most popular radio show,

and

I thought: Hopefully Obama would be able to spend more money on education in this country and that problem would be solved too

IRANdokht


capt_ayhab

2 riali

by capt_ayhab on

Only if republicans get their crap together, and instead of becoming a party of NO, and instead of griping and complaining about the height, girth and weight of the bill, had started working with democrats, by now we would have had one beautiful bill passed which would have given coverage to close to 40 million people who can not afford to take their children to doctors.

Hats off to Rep Joseph Cao, who bravely crossed the party line for the good of the nation.

 

-YT 


ex programmer craig

Not buying it

by ex programmer craig on

...he's a very reasonable and open minded person without prejudice...

Which is just the kind of person who likes to read extremist websites like DailyKOS, right?

I seem to recall you, IRANdokht, having quite a bit of a problem with FOX news, Rush Limbaugh, and a number of other people on the right. And now you seem to be implying that a website which has made a name for itself by catering to the lunatic fringe in America is somehow a reliable and unbiased source of information? Are you aware how nutty that seems, to normal people? Come on, ID... FOX News is the most popular news channel in the US, and Rush Limbaugh has the most popular radio show, and you constantly claim they aren't mainstream and should be ignored (where's that open mindednss you were just calling for!?). And then you show up pimping a website that only the 5000 craziest people in America read...


default

Anonymouse,it's not a

by timothyfloyd on

Anonymouse,it's not a excuse to be concerned with the cost of the healthcare program,It is a enormous amount..But yes so is the war cost.We cannot afford either one and 'super majority's voted for both.I am not against the healthcare bill but I have always felt we are already paying enough to the Govt,they should have been able to budget this for us without taxing us further.Havent we paid enough?.Why cost us more? Give it to us free by cutting waste.

I believe the real problem in the healthcare industry is the expense of hospitals and doctors,not the insurance coverage.

Bush did improve the cost of medicene for seniors over the cost during Clinton's 8 years,if you must know,Republicans did critize him for it.

 

Have a wonderful free day!


IRANdokht

Ex PC

by IRANdokht on

Not that I have to explain myself to you every time I write a comment here, but I am going to let you know why, this one time:

I asked Anonymouse to check that article out, because from what I have seen, he's a very reasonable and open minded person without prejudice who can logically agree or disagree with a point without getting emotional, insult or accuse.

People like that usually find it interesting to see a subject from different angles. 

If I thought you'd enjoy to learn something new and different, I would have posted it addressed to you.

Best

IRANdokht