Someone You Know is Going to Die, Go Broke, or to Jail!
There is a lot of talk about a lot of issues. It is sometimes hard to follow the moving ball as various Republicans modify and change positions or try to defined or obfuscate them. (Or, like Chris Smith, they keep silent about them- except through their votes.) But the Republican specific plans tell us about the world that the Republicans, including Chris Smith, really want to create.
1) Abortion will be illegal without exception and women and Doctors will go to jail.
While Republicans claim that there is no ‘war on women’, Mitt Romney, Paul Ryan, and Chris Smith and the Republican Party platform all support a “personhood” amendment to the US Constitution. In short, regardless of the cause (i.e. ‘forcible’ rape, incest, etc) and regardless of the consequence (e.g. health of the mother) there will be no abortion and no exception for anything and no choice for any reason. And when asked if women would go to jail as a result, they say simply “illegal is illegal”. Also, since most states do not distinguish between types of parenthood, a rapist might be involved in the women and the child’s life for life. So she might have to deal with her rapist on issues like parental visits, healthcare, schooling, etc. Finally, ‘personhood’ rights could make many existing infertility and contraception practices illegal as well.
Chris Smith is a leader and in full support of ‘Parenthood’.
2) Medicare will be eliminated and replaced with vouchers and people will be impoverished.
Republicans have been publicly forced to back away from Paul Ryan’s and Chris Smith’s original ‘vouchers for all’ position to make current seniors more comfortable. But this is their stated preferred and ultimate objective. And once it has been implemented for the majority it may not be hard to re-introduce it for current seniors. We also know from the proposal that the vouchers will not keep up with inflation and will be an additional financial burden on seniors.
It is important to note Medicare was originally created because insurance for seniors and the disabled was either unavailable or unaffordable. Less than half of seniors were able to get insurance at the time. (Not surprising since insurance companies naturally prefer healthier younger policyholders.) Many seniors were impoverished or bankrupted by the lack of such coverage. Ryan’s plan therefore seems like a giant step back in time with no clear explanation of why things would be dramatically different from those times.
Strangely, both the Obama and Ryan plans called for Medicare saving by reducing some payments to insurance and hospital providers. Yet Romney has now withdrawn that savings proposal and now attacks it as “raiding Medicare and endangering seniors”. Of course Politifact called that Romney claim a “Pants On Fire Lie. Apparently, once a Democrat has adopted a Republican idea it must be summarily rejected
3) Medicaid will be dramatically reduced and people will likely die.
The Paul Ryan plan, supported by Chris Smith, claimed to be concerned with our most vulnerable. Surely some of our most vulnerable citizens must be those on Medicaid in nursing homes, etc. Yet his plan to give block funds to the states is estimated to cut funding by one-third ($800 billion!) compared to current law. And that cut to senior benefits would start next year.
Medicaid is particularly important in tough times. For example in the 2008-2009 great recession states and individuals suffered with declining taxes and rising unemployment. Predictably the Medicaid enrollment increased by millions and the federal government’s contribution rose to meet the need. Under Ryan and Smith’s fixed block payment system those states and individuals would be left without support options. It is difficult to believe that such future circumstances would not lead to increased suffering, sickness, and deaths. Perhaps this is why Ryan’s plan was so strongly criticized by religious organizations as favoring the wealthy at the expense of the poor.
All in all it is not a picture of a safe, friendly, or secure world. If you are a woman or a senior (or plan to be one!) you probably don’t want to vote for that world
John Hayes
11:03 am on Tuesday, September 4, 2012
Actually, Mr. Froelich, 100% of the people I know are going to die. Just sayin'.
Anyway, good luck in November!
Brian Froelich
12:33 pm on Tuesday, September 4, 2012
John,
Thanks, I appreciate the humor and the support.....Brian
Victor
4:38 pm on Tuesday, September 4, 2012
The way Obama is spending money I really don't think there medicare will be much of an issue in the future. Everything always comes down to money and you can't spend what you don't have.
Brian Froelich
4:49 pm on Tuesday, September 4, 2012
Too bad that the Republicans (e.g. like Ryan and Smith) who voted for all of the tax cuts and unpaid spending and wars never got that message. Most of the sending today is a direct result of those failed policies that they want to try again (cut revenues and spend on defense, etc.) Simpson Bowles and others have all said we can't get out of this problem without raising revenues/taxes somewhat but Republicans are (Norquist) pledged to oppose.
MaxineJ
6:21 pm on Tuesday, September 4, 2012
The world as you know it is failing down around you with incompetence in the white house and criminals supporting him. How on earth could you even dream about pointing fingers elsewhere. Look in the mirror you stooge.
Brian Froelich
9:47 pm on Tuesday, September 4, 2012
MaxineJ, Thanks for the opportunity but I don't respond to unfounded ad hominem attacks.
bayboat
9:56 pm on Tuesday, September 4, 2012
...yawn....
jerseyswamps
4:11 am on Wednesday, September 5, 2012
Mr.F,
I think Maxine was saying Obama had no experience running anything before he was elected and now that he is in, it shows.
David White
8:22 am on Wednesday, September 5, 2012
Same old democrat scare tactics. Maybe the republicans should raid medicare to pay for health insurance...opps democrats beat them to it. The system is broke and yet all the democrats offer is the same old same old....bury your head in the sand and kick the can down the road....
All politicians should ask the question...what is good for the country not what will get me relelected....then maybe we could reach across aisles and actually get something done.
GeneralPatton
8:37 am on Wednesday, September 5, 2012
you state these things as if they are givens or facts, when they are just your speculation.
Over 70% of people when asked are Pro-Life not pro-abortion, what would happen if it was ever put to a vote? The Federal funding of abortion is the larger issue.
The Ryan Plan is not the Romney/Ryan Plan and so citing these "facts" is a scare tactic. It is established that Medicare will bankrupt under Obamacare by 2016.
Under ObamaCare, a socialized medical plan, many seniors and others will not "get approval" for care they need or want if not deemed "effective for them" decided by the Fed gov not them or their Dr., many will die because it will be their only option. Additionally if we don't get the economy turned around there will be no one contributing taxes to fund any plan so the priority must become the economy it has to trump all else in this case-the fed cannot continue to spend what it doesn't have.
Brian Froelich
10:16 am on Wednesday, September 5, 2012
Pat N, Here are the facts;
1) The Republican abortion proposal was put to a vote. Even the most conservative state in the union, Mississippi, turned down the ‘Personhood’ amendment.
2a) The Republican unfunded $7 trillion prescription benefit is a major contributor to the problem and Romney/Ryan don't want tot touch it. (see http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2011/09/18/gop-2012-candidates-opposed-to-repealing-unfunded-medicare-drug-benefit/ )
2b) Obamacare helps control costs- "Medicare’s relatively low growth rate is largely due to provisions in the 2010 health reform law." (http://www.kff.org/medicare/upload/7305-06.pdf)
3) Obamacare- a socialized medical plan? It was created by a Republican think tank, proposed by Republican Senators, and implemented by a Republican Governor. It only became bad when adopted by Dems. And your comments on doctors versus government sounds like 'death panel' redux and the the same scare tactics and speculation you decry.
4) On the economy I agree. But it was the Republicans (e.g. Chris Smith, Paul Ryan) that increased spending, cut taxes/revenues, and eliminated regulations that created the deficits and wrecked the economy.
"Even though more than four in ten Republicans say they don’t have a “basic understanding” of what Governor Romney is proposing to do on health care if elected president, a majority.... say they trust him to make the “right decisions” about the future of the ACA."- Kaiser Health Foundation poll
GeneralPatton
10:47 am on Wednesday, September 5, 2012
Of course you're right! I give up! LOL enjoy your Kool-Aid
jerseyswamps
10:58 am on Wednesday, September 5, 2012
I just read a great story. Some homeless placed in motels near the DNC convention have been kicked out of their placement to make room for DNC delegates and others going to the convention. So much for the party of inclusion.
It gets better. One guy said he voted for Obama and will probably do so again. Talk about mindless sheep walking to their slaughter.
Spooner
11:08 am on Wednesday, September 5, 2012
Pat N-checked out "Personhood" amendment vote in Miss...That's true: the state voted it down. . .but don't understand your remark about the kool-aid. You don't accept the truth?
Jeffrey Dodd
9:03 am on Thursday, September 6, 2012
Wow. Still the pointing finger. They did this that or the other thing... What a want is some people to get in office and fix this mess. 16 trillion in debt! And still it bush's fault! Come on. Enough pointing the finger! Fix it! Now! Oh and a few thought on abortion.
Hitler killed 6 to 12 million Jews... Horrible
Stalin killed 20 million Russians... Horrible
mao tse tung killed millions of Chinese... Horrible
You could make the case that these dictators made them do it, right?
We Americans chose to kill 56 million of our own...
Brian Froelich
9:17 am on Thursday, September 6, 2012
Jeff, if you are really serious then why would you even consider voting for Republican Representative Chris Smith. He has been there for 32 years and hasn't fixed a thing. He voted for all of the spending and tax cuts that caused the mess. If you mean what you say then you should be really voting for a change. I'm happy to compare my record to that of Chris Smith when it comes to fixing things. November will be time to put up, or shut up!
Ric
9:46 am on Thursday, September 6, 2012
I was a republican. I have not gone democrat because I believe the first order of government should be fostering business growth. Social issues come second and god third.
Because of the election of Reagan and Dubya, I no longer identify with the republican party. It has changed into the party of the far right religious kooks. Once LBJ signed the equal rights legislation, the white southern Baptist bible thumping democrats flipped into republicans and stole the party.
My hope is that the democrats will lead us back into a nation that truly separates church and state. The republicans whore out religion just to win votes. As long as they say praise be to god, anything they say will be taken as gospel truth. They claim god opposes abortion yet despite the ancient Romans practicing abortion Jesus said not a word. There is not one word in the bible against abortion. The republicans know full well that making abortion illegal will not stop it. Abortions will go back underground and women will be dying in droves from botched jobs.
To win elections, Karl Rove preached a message of lies and hatred. Under his direction that republicans lie in bed with preachers who expose hate. Republicans lie about Obama but not one of them has the courage to say Dubya’s wars were a mistake and we will not go that way again. The republican party today is a disgrace, the party faithful are nothing more than puppets. They will not acknowledge Dubya was a mistake. This is why I support Obama.
John Jay
9:47 am on Thursday, September 6, 2012
Well, if the wars were a mistake, why did OBAMA EXPAND THEM????
Ric
9:55 am on Thursday, September 6, 2012
@John Jay. Because Dubya got us mired in there and left us no way out. Man, for a famous thinker your brain is not working anymore.
Ok big boy, how do you propose president Obama get us out of Iraq and Afghanistan?
Ric
2:02 pm on Thursday, September 6, 2012
@John Jay. Hey buddy - wow you disappeared once I asked how you would get us out of Iraq and Afghanistan. Cat has your tongue?
Emily Jones
1:52 pm on Thursday, September 6, 2012
All I see here is a fight against the parties. Why aren't we looking to fight for the people instead of against each other? Abortion is a hot button topic, that should not even be discussed. Does the government discuss people going in for a colonoscopy? It is a medical procedure that is completely unrelated to the government as a whole. Some woman need to have abortions. There is a disease where the babies blood and the mothers blood literally attach each other. Is the mother suppose to support a fetus that is killling her from the inside? Again how is it even a question what women are allowed and not allowed to do with their bodies.
Jay Podell
2:21 pm on Thursday, September 6, 2012
The radical right -- Chris Smith, Ryan, Romney, etc -- don't care what the situation is. In their minds, their conservative religious convictions MUST be the law of the land. End of story. So you can forget about the separation of church and state and your right to privacy and property (e.g. your own body). Conservatives talk the talk when it comes to limiting government, but if the expansion of government just so happens to infringe upon women's rights, they couldn't care less. Romney, Ryan and Smith are NOT right for this country or any country for that matter.
marylou
2:43 pm on Thursday, September 6, 2012
Dancer_grl07,they just want to get those babies born. But,I wonder what happens if the woman is on Medicaid.Will she have access to prenatal care,so that her baby is born healthy.After the child is born,will he or she have access to vaccinations and well baby check-ups?If the child becomes ill,will he or she be able to be treated my a pedicatrician or hospitalized,if necessary.It seems the conservatives lose interest in a fetus once he or she takes their 1st breath.
Oh,and the far right also has an answer to whether or not a womanshould be permitted to have an abortion if continuing the pregnancy will cause her death or have a negative affect on her health.I heard this a while ago,but her it is."If the woman dies as a result of her pregnancy,she dies a natural death.Aborting her unborn child is murder,not a natural death."
Emily Jones
1:54 pm on Thursday, September 6, 2012
In addition, do you realize how many Americans go without health insurance? My brother just had to pay through the nose to get a tooth pulled. $600 for something that took 30 seconds. So instead of making it easier for people to get coverage you want to take it away from those who already have it. So who are Romney, Ryan and Chris Smith working for - the people? I think not.
Jay Podell
2:36 pm on Thursday, September 6, 2012
There is something fundamentally wrong with the Republican stance on healthcare and abortion, something that speaks to where the priorities of right-wing politicians truly lie. They stand against the Affordable Care Act, which will save Americans untold millions by covering the previously uninsured and driving down insurance costs by making insurance companies work for the PEOPLE and not purely for profit. They stand against women who, by no fault of their own, must terminate a (possibly unwanted) pregnancy or face certain death.
Democrats are not "Pro-abortion." They are realistic. The Republican fantasy world of "legitimate rape" and trickle down economic solutions is non-existent. Chris Smith, Paul Ryan and Mitt Romney continue to live in this fantasy world where corporations, religious fanaticism and the super-rich are prioritized over the wants and needs of the middle class. Enough is enough.
marylou
2:56 pm on Thursday, September 6, 2012
I wonder if the pro-life Republicans even realize that when they cut Medicaid,those babies born to poor women will suffer for lack of healthcare,vaccinations,etc.Or,they just don't care,as long as every fertilized egg is carried to term.
bayboat
10:59 pm on Thursday, September 6, 2012
Go broke, die or go to jail if the Republicans win huh? Well I'm glad that you aren't resorting to fear and demagoguery, and instead having a serious discussion of the issues.
Oh wait....never mind.
Brian Froelich
9:07 am on Friday, September 7, 2012
Bayboat, Demagoguery? Not, for example, if you live in North Dakota!
(see http://www.buzzfeed.com/zekejmiller/north-dakota-senate-candidate-voted-to-make-aborti )
bayboat
10:14 pm on Friday, September 7, 2012
Own a business? Democrat Convention Delegates want to ELIMINATE your profits!!! (Oh, they want to MURDER Mitt Romney also)
http://www.powerlineblog.com/archives/2012/09/how-crazy-are-the-democrats.php
Dem delegates FAWNING over the idea to confiscate/cap business profits.( and a murder threat )
I took a recent video from a website to show that DEMAGOGUERY and FEAR are EASY.
A SERIOUS discussion however takes more time and thought.
A serious discussion however seems elusive.
Voter see right through fear Bri.
Given your rubric, I guess BOTH our "fear" headlines are accurate, but they are also BOTH beneath the voters...
D
7:18 pm on Sunday, September 16, 2012
Seriously...Individuals will die because majority of the people can no longer afford health insurance. All those who are lucky enough to have insurance are those who have public sector jobs or very large businesses. Small to medium size businesses can no longer afford to have or supply health insurance any longer. How can these insurance companies consider themselves non profit, yet give a gross amount in bonuses.