States' Rights Took Beating Almost 100 Years Ago

I came across an interesting fact that the 17th Amendment changed the voting of senators from the states' legislatures to mimic the general population vote of the House.  Was that intended to give the people more of a voice?

So, states' rights were diminished in 1913.  Wonder how that will play out as the federal government takes on more power and control of our citizens' lives?

Oh Goody, Reid's New Taxes for Our Christmas Stockings

Guess if Reid and company get their Christmas wish for the current health care plan to pass, then the rest of us get... well, we don't get coal. Santa won't be able to afford it.

Just thought you'd be interested in seeing some of the new proposed taxes from our delightful Congress.


The Senate Health Bill: Higher Taxes from Harry Reid

In order to pay for a massive health care bill (H.R. 3590), Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) creates a host of new taxes. These taxes will total $370.2 billion in the next ten years, and many of the taxes will start being collected in 2010, even as the economy continues to struggle.
The most shocking tax increase is a payroll tax increase that will permanently sever the link between the Medicare Payroll tax and its contributions to Medicare. This payroll tax increase of .5% on earnings above $200,000 for singles and $250,000 for joint couples will contribute money to the general fund for health care instead of directly for Medicare payments....http://blog.heritage.org/2009/11/19/the-senate-health-bill-higher-taxes-from-harry-reid/

Congratulations America! Senate Finance Health Care Bill Raises Taxes in January

Are you ready for this little nugget of gold found in the Senate Finance Committee Health Care Bill? If I am reading this correctly with all of the "ands" and the mention of the IRS......

According to Section 6002, page 1435, Taxable income will be revised to include employer sponsored coverage. And it takes effect after December 31, 2009.

So, for all of you who really want the health care bill to pass, get ready for the feds to tax you on your current benefits. So nice of you to be so very happy and supportive of higher taxes.

And for those of us who are against mandated health care, get ready to grimace as we have to determine how to make less money go farther everyday.

Yep, it's a nugget. Just kind of depends on which side of the equation you are on as to how to define nugget-- gold or not.

Finally, a Health Care Bill We the People can Read Online

The Senate Finance Committee has released their 1500 page version of Health Care Reform. It's going to take a while to read it all. At first glance, I saw lots of subsections which I must read to see if I can determine what they really mean.

Have fun reading it. Have more fun trying to understand it all.

Maybe we'll have ample oppportunity to read it before the vote happens. Maybe our elected officials will also read the bill. Oh, sorry. I must be dreaming.....

http://finance.senate.gov/press/Bpress/2009press/prb101909.pdf

Where are Your Health Papers?

If the Senate Finance Committee has its way, you might have to file proof of health insurance with your tax return! Bad joke. Not.

You have to read this to believe it.


Sen. Max Baucus: Answer 10 Questions About Mandatory Purchase of Health Insurance Including Why the Public Was Excluded From Today's Committee Meeting

/PRNewswire / -- The U.S. Senate Finance Committee, in closed-door health care discussions today, must answer ten questions about how its plan to require all Americans to show proof of insurance or face tax penalties will provide affordable health care, said Consumer Watchdog.

Questions listed below. Download Consumer Watchdog's letter to Senator Baucus here: http://www.consumerwatchdog.org/resources/BaucusClosedMeeting.pdf

In a letter to Senator Baucus sent today, Consumer Watchdog wrote:

"Americans should not be locked out of any discussion about health care reform, particularly one that will consider whether everyone should be required to buy health insurance policies without any limits on what insurers can charge. Mandatory purchases of private insurance policies without offering a public alternative to the private market is nothing other than a bailout for HMOs.....http://georgiafrontpage.blogspot.com/2009/05/sen-max-baucus-answer-10-questions.html

Free Speech, Well, Only if Big Brother Agrees with Your Point of View

I've been following this assault on free speech. Why is the media not up in arms over this? Why are people just ignoring this assault?

Read on..

Free Speech Assault Alert
The Durbin Doctrine’s Assault on Free Speech

Following a premeditated White House campaign to demonize Rush Limbaugh, Newsweek aided the left’s “Hush Rush” campaign with a cover story pushing for Rush to be silenced. Now, Rush can handle criticism from the White House and Newsweek just fine. But there was also a little noticed vote in the Senate late last month that could enable the left to accomplish by government regulation what they could never accomplish with actual debate......http://readytorumbleforrush.blogspot.com/2009/03/free-speech-assault-alert.html

Why Do I Have to Move?

The newest proposal on the senate table is a tax credit of up to $15,000 if you purchase a home within the the next 12 months. Well, gee, that's nice if you want to move.

I rather like my house, my neighborhood and my town. So, if I'm to benefit, I have to first try and sell my home and then buy another one? Why not just give a tax credit to those who want to stay where they are?

Help those of us average people who have struggled mightily to stay the course during the recession.

Just a thought.