Quote:
Originally Posted by Jesus
The GOP wants a conference committee, because they're trying to open negotiations on the things they want. Dems have offered this numerous times in the last 6 months, and each time it's been rejected.
The GOP now want to be seen as the reasonable party, so by suggesting negotiations, it may look to the less informed citizens, as though the Democrats are the real party blocking this, and shutting down the government.
Also, negotiations happen when two opposing sides both have something the other one wants. This definitely isn't the case. Keeping the country open and paying it's already accrued bills used to be a bi-partisan position.
The issues that are they are now left with:
Medical device tax - I'm not sure of both sides of this argument, but it is unpopular on both sides, but I read something the other day explaining how that was how the whole law was helping to be funded, so cutting it, may seem reasonable, but there is a reason most of the GOP wants to do it immediately.
Treat congressmen the same as ordinary Americans - this is just a massive roundabout way of slicing the benefit packages of all of their staffers, and is an appalling thing to do, dressed up in the American flag.
Delay Obamacare for a year - This is purely a way to ensure victory in next years midterms. There is no other reason or justification for it. A fired up right wing base will flip the senate (which it may do regardless), and the gerrymandering in house districts make it already super difficult for the dems to take it back.
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Why would anyone want to negotiate for something they don't WANT?
Yes, cutting a new tax, especially an arbitrary one like the medical devices tax, is quite popular with the Republicans.
The people want the Congress (all of them), to have the same Obamacare plans that we're going to have - no more, and no less.
So that was passed - but then the Feds got a 75% exemption (which I don't understand HOW that happened to slip by, but it did), which covered SOME of the office staff and Congress members, but not ALL of them are Fed. employees - so they have no 75% exemption.
What a shame, some of them will have to suffer with the same Obamacare plans as all the rest of us.
Where's my sad little violin?
No, we REALLY don't want Obamacare - really. We were sold a bunch of lies about it:
*you can keep your current plan
*you can keep your current doctor
*your premiums will be less
*Grandma will like having a pain pill instead of proper medical treatment, because she's old.
So far, only lower premiums are true, and only for those with either low income, or pre existing conditions.
Everybody else is paying more - the more you earn, the more you pay, in any of their plans, and each plan can vary widely from state to state.
Personally, I'd like to see a national health care plan, but not one run by the gov't. They can pass laws to regulate it, but I don't want the Feds running my health care. Just like food processing. The feds regulate it, but I don't want them growing the beans, canning the beans, etc.
Let the farmer grow the food, and the doctor and health insurer, handle the health care, in accordance with good regulations, of course.