The American Spectator : The Empress of ObamaCare

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The Empress of ObamaCare

By Philip Klein from the June 2010 issue

The recently passed health care law grants sweeping new powers to Secretary of Health and Human Services Kathleen Sebelius. Our June cover story -- "America's Most Powerful Woman."

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While the health care law specifies who qualifies for certain benefits and who is subject to the mandates, at the margins, the Secretary would also be given leeway to determine eligibility and to make exceptions. This gives her influence over how large the expansion of Medicaid will end up being, who counts as a "dependent" for the purposes of forcing insurers to allow young adults to stay on their parents' insurance policies until age 26, and who gets to claim the religious exemption to the individual mandate.

But dictating what type of coverage all Americans must purchase wouldn't be an end to the Secretary's influence over the insurance market. As part of her duties in helping to set up insurance exchanges, she has been tasked with creating a government rating system to evaluate all plans offered on the exchanges on quality and price, thus giving her the ability to steer consumers toward certain plans. The Secretary must also establish enrollment periods for the plans.

ANOTHER NEW AUTHORITY given to the Secretary would represent a troubling expansion of federal control over the states. While the law allows the states some flexibility in setting up the new health insurance exchanges, it says that if the Secretary determines that a given state will not have a functioning exchange by January 1, 2014, "the Secretary shall (directly or through agreement with a not-for-profit entity) establish and operate such Exchange within the State and the Secretary shall take such actions as are necessary to implement such other requirements." In other words, whether citizens in a state like it or not, Sebelius will be setting up a government-run insurance exchange for them.

One of the major differences between the two main versions of Democrats' health care legislation was that the original House-passed bill had a national exchange, while the Senate bill created state-based exchanges. This issue was supposed to have been resolved when the chambers merged the two bills into one. But then Sen. Scott Brown got elected in Massachusetts, and to avoid a filibuster, Democrats had to jam through the health care legislation using the procedural maneuver of reconciliation, which didn't allow them to alter the structure of the exchanges. As a result, the Senate plan for state-based exchanges was adopted.

While there is disagreement among those who are intimately familiar with the legislation, some argue that the Secretary's power to set up exchanges for states that refuse to participate could provide an opening for her to move toward a national exchange. If a large number of states choose not to set up exchanges, there doesn't appear to be anything in the law that would prohibit Sebelius from determining that the most efficient way to respond would be to set up one exchange for all the non-participating states. But like much of the law, it remains debatable whether she could take such action.

OVER THE COURSE of the health care push, Democrats tried to argue that the purpose of the legislation was to rein in costs that were spiraling out of control. But due to political pressure, they didn't go as far as nations with single-payer health care systems in adopting wholesale rationing of medical services. They also rejected the free market approach that would drive down costs by putting American consumers in control of their own health care dollars. Instead, they adopted the Jackson Pollock method of legislating: throw a bunch of ideas against the canvas and see what sticks. The law that we ended up with thus contains a series of "pilot programs" and "demonstration projects" aimed at containing costs. And as with other parts of the law, it will fall on the Secretary to fill in the details of the experiments.

The new initiatives to be spearheaded by the Secretary include: a wellness program in 10 states, programs for bundling payments for health care services, a national payment system for Medicaid, an "individualized wellness plan" for "at-risk populations," a program to train low-income Americans to work in the health care field, and "national demonstration projects on culture change and use of information technology in nursing homes."

As a result of these pilot programs, as well as other aspects of the law, Sebelius is in a position to dole out billions of taxpayer dollars in the form of grants. This opens the door for the administration to reward its political allies, such as unions and liberal activist groups, and offer political favors to well-connected private companies.

One aspect of the bill calls for creating a payment structure for "rewarding quality," the guidelines of which are left up to Sebelius. The law specifies that a qualified health plan is allowed to contract with a hospital with more than 50 beds only if that hospital abides by certain requirements. But it says that the Secretary "may establish reasonable exceptions" and "may by regulation adjust the number of beds..." Ultimately, the qualified health plan can contract with a health care provider "only if such provider implements such mechanisms to improve health care quality as the Secretary may by regulation require."

As part of new labeling requirements, she'll also have the power to regulate a wide variety of foods -- even Happy Meals. A clause of the law titled "MENU VARIABILITY AND COMBINATION MEALS" reads: "The Secretary shall establish by regulation standards for determining and disclosing the nutrient content for standard menu items that come in different flavors, varieties, or combinations, but which are listed as a single menu item, such as soft drinks, ice cream, pizza, doughnuts, or children's combination meals, through means determined by the Secretary, including ranges, averages, or other methods."

Not entirely satisfied with the sweeping new powers already given to the Secretary under the comprehensive health care law, Sen. Dianne Feinstein has offered a measure that would give Sebelius the authority to reject rate increases deemed unacceptable. "Water and power are essential for life,"Feinstein said in justifying the proposal, according to the New York Times. "So they are heavily regulated, and rate increases must be approved. Health insurance is also vital for life. It too should be strictly regulated so that people can afford this basic need."

While Sebelius does not yet have that authority, she does have to establish, along with the states, "a process for the annual review, beginning with the 2010 plan year...of unreasonable increases in premiums for health insurance coverage." And insurers will have to submit to her justification for any increases deemed "unreasonable."

PRESIDENT EISENHOWER CREATED HHS in 1953 when he merged several agencies into a Department of Health, Education and Welfare. At the time, the functions of the new entity were to be narrow in scope relative to today, as he tasked it with overseeing health care research and distributing educational materials. Like many government programs, it expanded over time, especially when Medicare and Medicaid were created and it took charge of the mammoth new entitlements. (The major exception to this trend being that Eisenhower originally put the department in charge of Social Security, a responsibility that it has since relinquished.) In 1979 the name was changed to the Department of Health and Human Services.

The introduction of ObamaCare will require the largest expansion of the department's duties since the Great Society. In response to the passage of the law, it has already created an Office of Consumer Information and Insurance Oversight to police insurance company compliance. This new office is being headed by Jay Angoff, who worked previously as a lobbyist for Ralph Nader's Congress Watch.

The most worrisome aspect of the new powers granted to Sebelius, and whichever HHS secretary may follow her, is that the full extent of her powers remain unknown even to experts at interpreting legislative language. A recent analysis by the Congressional Research Service struggled in several cases to interpret the powers given to her by certain sections of the law.

And CRS isn't the only government entity struggling to figure out the new authorities. There actually is a section of the health care law titled "TRANSPARENCY IN GOVERNMENT" requiring that "Not later than 30 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Health and Human Services shall publish on the Internet website of the Department of Health and Human Services, a list of all of the authorities provided to the Secretary under this Act (and the amendments made by this Act)." But as of this writing, more than 30 days have passed since President Obama signed the health care bill into law, and Sebelius still has not complied with this requirement. In its place, the website has posted what is essentially the table of contents of the new health care legislation. Either the new powers and responsibilities given to the Secretary are too complicated for even HHS to figure out, or they're so arbitrary that Sebelius can pick and choose how she'll comply with parts of the law.

Speaker Nancy Pelosi infamously declared that, "[W]e have to pass the bill so that you can find out what is in it." In much the same way, the breadth of the new powers granted to Sebelius will become known only over time.

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About the Author

Philip Klein is The American Spectator's Washington correspondent. You can follow him on Twitter at: http://twitter.com/Philipaklein

Letter to the Editor View all comments (71) | Leave a comment

Nobama| 6.4.10 @ 6:29AM

Every day brings a new Obama nightmare.
Horrific.

Brian Mc| 6.4.10 @ 7:39AM

What is the set date for mandatory compliance?

I say we all cancel on that date. And if I got my wish, I wonder what the ramifications would be?

Thou shalt do this; thou shalt not do that. God, what a god-less religion this is becoming. All our hope and change in one place...inside the Beltway.

Alan Brooks| 6.4.10 @ 10:20PM

Think whatever you want, do whatever you want;
I'm interested in Reagan Democrats, not post-Reagan Republicans. If you can get another Gingrich elected in November, one whose judgment isn't clouded by bad futurology, then you can construct something.
But please don't forget that libertarian 'allies' are not necessarily constructionists-- and that might be an understatement.

Richard Baker| 6.4.10 @ 6:42AM

The legal fight over this abomination will be epic. Sebelius is one of these truly soul-less types who haunt our Government. The liberal legislative victory on this issue will be Pyrrhic.

Alan Brooks| 6.4.10 @ 10:29PM

PS,
the article? such minutiae today is for wonks; you know very well the game is put forth an extreme position, then an election votes in those who don't have the foresight to match their other, admittedly great, qualities. Nothing wrong with Gingrich as a statesman; nothing even wrong with Toffler-- it is all to fill a niche. But why would Gingrich call himself conservative and then undermine his own positions with conflicted thinking? never underestimate the ability of a Republican to shoot himself in the foot.

So, for healthcare, you had better comb your minds for every idea you can. I mean, look at all the trouble about something as relatively simple as private medical savings accounts!

Alan Brooks| 6.4.10 @ 10:38PM

... PPS,
this is what irks, you would think private medical savings accounts were colonizing Mars and brain surgery rolled into one, for all wrangling that went on. My point is if you can't even get that sort of legislation passed, then never mind the Dems:
maybe the GOP's left hand doesn't know what its right is doing.

Robert Yarber| 6.25.10 @ 11:56PM

I guess it is nice to be able to reach such great heights of importance after a very short time of on the job training.

Ken (Old Texican)| 6.4.10 @ 7:30AM

Philip,

Please, take a long step back and look at the whole canvas.

The overriding problem with this government program is that there is NO natural restraint that the free market-place imposes.

For instance, every year our group insurance agent does a lot of comparison "shopping" for us, then brings us the three or four plans that most closely fit our desires...and at the "most efficient" price.

Government programs, across the spectrum, always go way over budget for precisely the reason that there is NO fiscal restraint possible, after being "politicized". (votes for Santa Claus).

Hell's bells, Philip, any cross section of the country would vote overwhelmingly for "Santa Claus"...... UNTIL they realize that he comes down the chimney, leaves some presents under the tree, then systematically steals the family's heirlooms.......
at will.....by LAW!

...year..... after year.....after year.

We must de-fund this mess, along with every other "entitlement" program ...then privatize them, but demand transparency from each private provider so citizens can make an informed CHOICE!

Brian Mc| 6.4.10 @ 7:34AM

"Health insurance is 'also' vital for life."

Is it?

Tell that to the founding documents, ya socialist bully.

Kimberle G| 6.4.10 @ 11:44AM

No Health Insurance is NOT VITAL FOR LIFE. It is an OPTION period. The government has no business MANDATING that we as American's are required to BUY anything! This is the bottom line. Food is VITAL for life. Under Obamacare I will not be able to AFFORD FOOD FOR MY FAMILY. READ THE BILL for yourself before commenting. I HAVE and honestly some sections are worded so insanely it was hard to follow, BUT the section about how anyone who does not buy coverage that the GOVERNMENT says you need there will be a FINE of $750 per year ( which will be adjusted for inflation each year and rounded down to the nearest $50) that will be broken down and levied each month you do not have insurance. Hmmmmmm if we make to much for Medicaid and to little to afford insurance how the heck are we to pay extra FINES on top of food, shelter, etc????

Brian Mc| 6.4.10 @ 6:30PM

Who you talkin' to? Me?

I was quoting from the article. I don't need to read "Mein Kampf" to know it's trash; same goes for this legislation that passed...it is no longer a bill.

MJ| 6.4.10 @ 1:17PM

NO one can insure your health! Life was vital before insurance companies & gambling . Obama care will pay for nothing except high price drugs and treatments that do nothing except help you DIE slower. And dieing slow is not improving LIFE.

Carol| 6.4.10 @ 7:38AM

It is just me or have others noticed that all the legislation the progressives are pushing through make it sound as if they will be in office for ever?

I know Obama said he would be happy with only one term if he could get his agenda through but I think that was just one more lie. I don't think he plans on going anywhere for a long time.

And if there is a chance the Repubicans are able to take back Congress, the Senate, and aren't successful at repealing Obamacare, I hope the future GOP HHS secretary SHALL say all Americans can buy their health insurance from a private company.

And then if we are lucky and kick out Obama in 2012 the new GOP POTUS says we are going to start all over and make a new healthcare system.

There is always hope.

Melvin| 6.4.10 @ 7:46AM

Every day the final conflict for Americans inches closer and closer. We all see it, we all know that it is coming by the gathering storm clouds on the horizon.
This conflict of us vs government didn't start with Obama, but started along time ago when Americans chose security over freedom.
Obama is just the culmination of the American Socialist agenda to completely transform this Republic.
Inch by inch, foot by foot, legislation by legislation we have incrementally made what China's Chairman Mao called, "The Long March."
The Socialists/Fascist's have been patient and persistent. They new they wouldn't win each and every battle but they knew they would win the war.
And now we are at that point where Americans must chose. No longer can Americans sit on the fence and observe Liberals and Conservatives beat each other senseless, we must chose.
We have but two choices. Freedom or enslavement by government by turning over our entire lives over to government.
For those that chose freedom, we have an additional two choices. To fight with a force of arms or chose states that wish to remain free and cede from the Republic.
One thing that we do know is, that those who love liberty and freedom cannot coexist with those who love Socialism/Fascism. Both sides of this battle do agree with that fact.
This storm is coming and neither side cannot avoid it, I thought I would never see this day for all the trials and tribulations that this Country has gone through over the last two hundred plus years. Call it Karma or call it our Destiny but one thing for sure is. Nothing will ever, every be the same again.

Melvin| 6.4.10 @ 7:54AM

Correction on last sentence. Ever, ever, not every.

Ret. Marine| 6.4.10 @ 9:08AM

I will have to agree with your statements here Melvin. Is it a suprise the ammo is flying off the shelves like there is no tomorrow. Is it a suprise that the left has turned ugly in their attempt to tarnish us Conservatives with their own tactics? A leader leads by example, an example is lead through history, we all know where the history is with the socialist of the world over-war. I say it will not be long before the average citizen is going to have to make a choice, live free or die, or live with the masters boots at their throats. Me, I've been upfront on my choice from the get-go, you think you are going to put your boot upon my throat? o.k., that's fine but, when you realize my foot is up your arse it will be too late for you. I ain't going to back-down by this type of threat. A good Marine always knows when his enemy is looking for him, and as a result, a good Marine will always go looking for the threat, and eliminate it. It's that simple.

SoCon| 6.4.10 @ 2:36PM

Yes, it's really that simple; freedom is part of our DNA.

crookedwren| 6.4.10 @ 9:18PM

Melvin, et al, I agree as well, though I'm hoping the thunderclouds will boom but scatter along winds of renewed liberty.

If you all come back to read this, just a suggestion -- Read Witness by Whittaker Chambers.

Melvin| 6.5.10 @ 8:02AM

Crookedwren, I do share your hopes, but this old dog has circled the globe over two times, met many people in many different countries.
I have always had this passion of observing people and a love of history, and sometimes I have enough knowledge of history to get myself into trouble.
But there is one point that has been nagging at me. Our time has come for our realignment for our future.
Who wins this struggle of either the socialists/fascists or those 50 plus million people who still value freedom and liberty will be this Country's road-map for the next 200 some odd years.
Just as President Reagan was the zenith for the Conservative movement, President Obama is the Zenith for the Liberals. I myself don't know what we will have after Obama because both sides want the prize.
Who knows maybe we will have something completely foreign to us after the political smoke clears.
Thank-you for your suggestion, I will use that as an excuse to get out of yard-work to hotfoot it over to Barnes & Noble.
Way to hot in NC today anyway.

J.C.Eaton| 6.5.10 @ 11:59AM

Melvin: 10-4,good job. You recognize what libs have recognized for years: amiable bi-partisanship is bovine feces. This is a fight to the death...certainly socially and politically, maybe literally too. Muy bueno!

RCV| 6.5.10 @ 5:04PM

The irony here is that people like you would have been subject to arrest and imprisonment under the "Red Scare" legislation enacted during the 1940s and 1950s, which made it illegal to advocate the overthrow of the United States government by force and violence. The irony! You're freer now than you were then and you don't even appreciate it.

Nate| 6.6.10 @ 8:55PM

Snort! At least we don't riot in the streets and destroy private property like you Leftist anarchists.

They're too many of us, moron. Grow a pair, puss.

Louis Jenkins| 6.4.10 @ 8:20AM

"Most importantly, in a free society, individuals should have the right to purchase a health care plan with as many or as few benefits as they want, or to go without health insurance at all."

Do ya think? One size fits all, everyone. So far, upstairs, there's been little open discussion of this issue. The managers are being quiet. And oddly enough, its cooled off some in the public news media. One way or another, it ain't gonna happen and if it does there will be the devil to pay.

JP| 6.4.10 @ 8:33AM

Much of HCR will not stand up in court. But then, all Congress will do is change the language or adjust how the Executive will execute its mandates. The courts will never strike the law down in toto; that will be the job of the GOP. And from the looks of it, sitting Republicans have shown no inclination in either House of even considering it.

This will be a long bloody fight. The only bright spot is the fact that the WH and HHS are way behind on thier benchmarks mandated by ObamaCare.

Bunkerville| 6.4.10 @ 10:51AM

Sadly, with the soon to be retiring Ginsburg who has pancreatic cancer, they will have their majority and there will be nothing we can do. The Courts will uphold Obamacare.Hard to believe he will get three picks. There is rumor she is about to announce soon,

FREEDOMFIRST| 6.4.10 @ 11:52AM

HE WILL REPLACE A LIB. WITH A LIB......THAT DOESN'T REALLY CHANGE ANYTHING. LET'S HOPE HE/SHE DOESN'T COME FROM THE ACLU AS GINSBERG DID.

Ben H| 9.20.10 @ 1:23PM

The difference is that the new LIB will be 25-30 years younger and poison the court for 3 more decades

Libs R Stupid| 6.4.10 @ 3:23PM

Buzz off, concern troll Bunkerille. Moron.

Blackknights 1802| 6.4.10 @ 8:48AM

What’s in the future for these two? Hopefully in 2012 they will get a job as co-anchors on MSNBC.

Sam Vaughn| 6.4.10 @ 9:58AM

The assault on freedom is something I never thought I'd see in my life. Absolute power over American lives through the healtcare system. Heaven help you if you're not a card-carrying member of the "party" of the ONE. Just the same I don't think it can last. Segue to the financail bubbles --- the market corrected the tech bubble, the market eventually forced correction on the real estate bubble (though the gov't. intervened to continue the distortion.) Now we have the biggest bubble of them all,,, BIG GOVERNMENT,,,, when the gov.t runs out of others people's money. It will be ugly if this is allowed to run it's course....

Melvin| 6.4.10 @ 10:05AM

I dunno people, I have this feeling that we will not get much redress from the judicial branch.
The Judicial Branch has been asborbed by the Executive Branch, and no longer stands apart as one of the pillars of freedom.
Federal Judges are just as Liberal if not more. They no longer base their rulings on the Constitution, and rule of law, but rather on international law, and Constitutional law opinions.
Besides Obama, Pelosi, and Reid were smart with the this Health Care Law. The Crack Candy before the Castor Oil. They'll get the Seniors hooked and make them terrified that they'll lose everything including Social Security, and Medicare.

Pete| 6.4.10 @ 10:12AM

"This opens the door for the administration to reward its political allies, such as unions and liberal activist groups, and offer political favors to well-connected private companies. "

Here it is in black and white. The administration is certainly pleased to force its version of "social change" on its subjects through this bill, but the real point is to empower and enrich its allies with taxpayer money (in exchange for votes and donations, of course). The democrats see government as one big ponzi scheme where they sit at the top. An unconstitutional tweak of the law here and there and they may just create something entirely self-perpetuating. Sick. Anti-American. Frightening.

On another note, I find Sebelius offensively ugly, with a dishonest and condescening sneer that mimics that of John Kerry. (they both have those skinny long heads, too)

Ron| 6.4.10 @ 11:10AM

This administration and health care bill stink. They could care less what the majority want or what's best for the country. It's all about power and control over our lives. If it smells like a skunk it's a skunk.

Ken (Old Texican)| 6.4.10 @ 12:31PM

Folks,
the one article you must read this year.
See my comment below, afterwards.

http://www.americanthinker.com.....ssion.html

Ken (Old Texican)| 6.4.10 @ 12:25PM

Please forgive me folks. There is an article on american thinker today that is one article each of you must read. something about "worse than a depression".
I copy/pasted this comment from a different thread here so more of you would catch it.

Maddox| 6.4.10 @ 8:09AM
Yes, Ken(OldTex) I read that article and agree with you. No one ever answers the question of how to prepare, they just issue warnings.

Reply to this
Ken (Old Texican)| 6.4.10 @ 9:41AM
Maddox,
I am here going to take a stab at how to prepare. Hopefully, some fellow conversationalists will add their thoughts.
1. Adjust your whole world view.
2. Buy the Mormon food storage book...right now before amazon.com runs out of them. (Feed your family for a year for $300)
3. Think of your priorities A. water B. food C. shelter D. Family defense against the "grasshoppers". E. heating your shelter. F. medicines and supplies (including vitamins). G. barter goods H. Build a library (books of knowledge and how to)
4. Think of how you can "quickly shrink" your cost of living (bankruptcy protection?)
5. in "deflation" cash is king...keep some under your "mattress"
6. in "Inflation" cash is crap. Trade/barter goods and know-how are king. (see 1, 2, and 3 above)
7. Think "extended family, or friends you can trust with your life" (fellow Church members?)....and a plan to get together.
8. three...(3) good quality pump up BB guns .177 caliber. (BBs are cheap cheap cheap for shooting birds for the pot.) and grain for a "bird feeder/baiter"
9. hand tools, (saws, hammers, post hole diggers, shovels, hoes, axes, work gloves etc.) .....and LOTS of 12 penny common nails.
10. Bicycles (rough terrain types with fat tires)

OK, back to number one above. (world view).
Be aware/alert.....outrun the crowds out of "Dodge".
Prepare "care packages" for refugees coming down the road...to wish them well in their travels.
Beware of "gubmint re-distributors"...stay skinny.

Make plans to join the "recovery"...what can you add to build everything back?

Freedom's Voice| 6.4.10 @ 2:23PM

Ken, your suggestions are excellent and great places to start. I would like to elaborate on your number one suggestion by saying it is time to wake up and know what you believe in, what you will fight for and what you will die for. Now is the time to figure out where you stand with God and with Jesus. Time is growing shorter and so is the time we all used to have to figure stuff like this out. Knowing what you believe will help you readjust your whole world attitude. If you already know what you believe, take every step you can to grow your faith--prayer, Bible Study, fellowship. A strong faith will help guide all your actions and will help you find people to gather with. Thanks for your practical tips. You are right, this is what we need now, not just warnings to prepare.

Nobama| 6.4.10 @ 3:18PM

I agree--get right with God first.

Ken (Old Texican)| 6.4.10 @ 4:00PM

Freedom's Voice,
Thank you, sir. (maym?)
Most folks flitter around the periphery, and never get to rock-bottom reality.

I'm stupid.

I believe in "Americans".
If I did not believe.........I wouldhave gone " apeshit" many months ago.
God bless.

SoCon| 6.4.10 @ 5:00PM

Ken, I tried to email you on your website but it won't submit. Any ideas? Thanks.

MTB| 6.4.10 @ 1:24PM

I haven't even read the article yet, but can tell you that Nancy Pelosi and Michelle Obama are NOT going to like that you said that K. Sebelius is the most powerful woman in America. I hope someone asks Nancy P about that. I'd love to know what she'd say.

Mike in Kansas| 6.4.10 @ 1:48PM

When Kathleen Sebelius left the governorship to join the Obama administration, she was already the most popular politician in Kansas. We voted for her every chance we got. You delude yourselves if you really think that Acorn or little gray space aliens got liberal Democrats elected in the last two elections. We did! And we'll vote in November, again.

REMEMBER NOVEMBER!!| 6.4.10 @ 3:17PM

Thank God there won't be as many of you idiots voting this time.

Remember the Date--November 2!!

Bydand76| 6.4.10 @ 8:58PM

Mike(Douchebag) in KS,

Remember that when you are crying in your milk as the 2nd Revolution smacks you in your silly progressive face!

Pro Libertate

RCV| 6.5.10 @ 5:14PM

You're right, Mike. And we elected our President precisely because he promised to enact sweeping healthcare reform, reregulate Wall Street, and bring some common sense to our international relations after the ruinous 8 long Bush-Cheney years. Not only did we elect Obama, but we established a well-organized a political movement that hadn't been seen in decades and which remains operational. With the wonderful assistance of the tea baggers, who are fracturing the GOP and ensuring that only the most unelectable Republicans get on the ballot, we will survive November and go on to reelection in 2012. I have little doubt of that. I can only hope they will give us Sarah Palin as their candidate. Yes, we did, and yes we can again!

Nobama| 6.5.10 @ 11:14PM

Let's see who's laughing in November.

Spill Baby Spill!!

Kipling| 6.19.10 @ 3:50PM

Sebelius used to be the head of the KTLA, an organization of plaintiffs' lawyers (you know, like John Edwards). That means that she's intensely political, very liberal, and probably as dishonest as a lawyer can be without being disbarred (and that's saying something). It's appalling that such person could be placed in charge of such a large segment of the national economy. She sees doctors, hospitals, and health insurers as potential sources of attorney fees, so putting her in charge of health care reform is like putting the fox in charge of the hen house. Eisenhauer, Truman, and Dole are spinning in their graves. No, Mike, Obama will not be elected again, nor Sebelius, and in November 2010, all the Kansans who think as you do will see their favorite candidates beaten in public like runaway slaves.

Stephanie| 6.4.10 @ 2:34PM

Well Mike, you might be right about that "YOU" got the kathleen and obama elected without the dishonest methods of ACORN, what you don't realize honey, is that thousands upon thousand now realize what a mistake they make in electing obama and will vote him out come 2012. He is digging himself into a hole, deeper and deeper by the day. Plain and simple, the man has no governing skills and he certainly doesn't have the temperment for it. So, get on back to your tornadoes out there in flyover country and get ready for the republican comeback.

JP| 6.4.10 @ 4:38PM

The concentration of power (the ability to not only execute current laws written by Congress, but to also create new laws and policies) is the real danger here.

The recent high court decision to allow the EPA to deem CO2 a pollutant is a good example of this. What many activists wanted the EPA to do was to circumvent Congress and deem CO2 a pollutant. The problem being that the Clean Air Act never game the EPA this authority. Congress intentionally it made so. The Courts, by judicial fiat gave the EPA this authority out of thin air.

In the case of the HHS and ObamaCare, Congress wrote the law so vague, and in most cases resorted just say that the HHS Secreatary will decide most of the issues. The problem with that language is that the HHS Sec will act as a one person legislature. Never in the history of the US did Congress allow on bureaucrat or his/her subordinate to define so much legislative detail. In normal times, the SCOTUS would have repealed this kind of law as being unconstitutional.

Obama is quickly turning DC into a mini Prussia circa 1860. The only thing missing is Obama's authority to dismiss Congreess (something Bismark did quite frequently when he didn't get his way). The concentration of power in the hands of a)a highly centralized group of bureaucrats and b) the federal courts) is the big danger, as niether are subjected to constitutional checks. They are an unelected, permanent feature of our lives. We are losing our recourse to the law.

And where are our GOP leaders on this ie Hatch, Lugar, McConnell)? I have a sinking feeling that most our so-called elected conservative lawmakers have no inclination to begin the long, painfull process of repealing this power grab known as ObamaCare.

SoCon| 6.4.10 @ 5:01PM

JP, I'm afraid this one's ON US!

Ken (Old Texican) | 6.4.10 @ 8:22PM

SOCON
e me at kbjudgeroybean06@gmail.com

Please be patient. I get lots. (smile)

NorthForty| 6.4.10 @ 9:46PM

ATILLA THE HEN

Genseric| 6.5.10 @ 9:52AM

We’ve become a Banana Republic -- Graft is the law: As a result of these pilot programs, as well as other aspects of the law, Sebelius is in a position to dole out billions of taxpayer dollars in the form of grants. This opens the door for the administration to reward its political allies, such as unions and liberal activist groups, and offer political favors to well-connected private companies.

Oldefarte| 6.5.10 @ 10:56AM

Let me be redundant........THIS WELFARECARE IS NOTHING BUT WEALTH REDISTRIBUTION [and needs to be deleted, destroyed, eliminated, etc]. If anyone wants/needs health insurance, then LET THEM PAY FOR IT THEMSELVES, and not force through government proclamations that TAXPAYERS have to do so. I am sick and tired of this liberal clap-trap about the rights of the poor and the disenfranchised. It is [or should be] well known that FOR E VERY EXISTING 'RIGHT', THERE IS A CORRESPONDING/EQUAL 'RESPONSIBILITY'. I want to start hearing about the latter which dictates that individuals have a 'responsibility' to not father/mother/produce offspring/children THAT THEY C-A-N-N-O-T PAY FOR/SUPPORT THEMSELVES [and leave it to taxpayers/government] to do so!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

JeffT| 6.5.10 @ 10:57AM

Health care will forever be synonymous with NIGHTMARE when this Frankenstein monster comes to life.

AL Morin| 6.5.10 @ 1:40PM

Is it possible to ensalve a free people by regulation and taxation?Have we not been here before and what direction did did we take?I for one believe in freedom not salvery to the state ,now is the time for peaceful civil disobedence ! Also vote the bums out!!

Tim*| 6.5.10 @ 3:49PM

We ,Tea Party Rebels are pacing the run up to The November 2nd Midterm Elections .

We are escalating The Rebellion incrementally .

We can defend ourselves , if things ever break down to that level. Enough said about that , for the moment.

5 Months To November 2nd.

We Can See November From Our Tea Party House.

RCV| 6.5.10 @ 5:28PM

Our good police will be able to deal with you nut cases if it comes to that, rest assured. Every few months, another group of you would-be Timothy McVeighs gets rounded up and put where you belong before you really hurt someone with those toys you play around with to convince yourself that you're grown-up.

Nobama| 6.5.10 @ 11:18PM

Timothy McVeigh's father and grandfather were UAW democrats--nut cases just like you.

Violence ALWAYS comes from the Fascist Liberal Left. Stick that in your crack pipe and smoke it, loser.

RCV| 6.6.10 @ 2:03AM

McVeigh's father and grandfather didn't blow up the federal building, Tim did. And he was a right-wing conspiracy nut case like you.

Tim*| 6.6.10 @ 11:55AM

Acting , in our role as Tea Party Rebels , we have never hurt anybody and many of us are "our good police " & "our good veterans " .

Run along little boy.

Nobama| 6.6.10 @ 9:00PM

Correction: McVeigh was a leftie like his dad and grand dad, and he was a left-wing conspiracy nut case like you, weenie. Bill Ayers was another leftie who blew up buildings and killed Americans, too.

RCV| 6.7.10 @ 12:09PM

Sorry, guys. McVeigh's views were strikingly similar to yours. He was an anti-tax, NRA supporter who subscribed to the same "the collectivist government is out to get us" conspiracy theories as you do. Here's a sample:

"McVeigh wrote letters to local newspapers, complaining about taxes: 'Taxes are a joke. Regardless of what a political candidate "promises," they will increase. More taxes are always the answer to government mismanagement. They mess up. We suffer. Taxes are reaching cataclysmic levels, with no slowdown in sight. [...] Is a Civil War Imminent? Do we have to shed blood to reform the current system? I hope it doesn't come to that. But it might. McVeigh also wrote to Congressman John J. LaFalce, complaining about the arrest of a woman for carrying mace: ' Firearms restrictions are bad enough, but now a woman can't even carry Mace in her purse?'"

Sound familiar? Just look in the mirror.

healthydevi| 6.6.10 @ 8:59AM

hmmm, hot photo, i`m surprised..:D

Nexialist| 6.7.10 @ 1:29AM

Some mindless bureaucrat in the Nixon administration gave us racial quotas and set-asides. Hopefully, Obamacare can be stopped before the damage is done.

Osamas Pajamas| 6.7.10 @ 1:33AM

Kathleen Sebelius is lucky she's still employed at HHS after an overheard remark of hers made it to OhBummer's ear: "Wow, this socialized medicine shxt really is expensive!"

John Locke| 6.7.10 @ 1:35AM

TAX HATER SAMUEL ADAMS, ON A ROLL AND ARMED TO THE TEETH, AUGUST, 1776……

"You darkeners of counsel, who would make the property, lives and religion of millions depend on the evasive interpretations of musty parchments; who would send us to antiquated charters of uncertain and contradictory meaning, to prove that the present generation are not bound to be victims to cruel and unforgiving despotism, tell us whether our pious and generous ancestors bequeathed to us the miserable privilege of having the rewards of our honesty, industry, the fruits of those fields which they purchased and bled for, wrested from us at the will of men over whom we have no check.

"Contemplate the mangled bodies of your countrymen, and then say, What should be the reward of such sacrifices? Bid us and our posterity bow the knee, and supplicate the friendship, and plough, and sow, and reap, to glut the avarice of the men who have let loose on us the dogs of war to riot in our blood and hunt us from the face of the earth? If you love wealth better than liberty, the tranquility of servitude better than the animating contest of freedom – go from us in peace. We ask not your counsels or your arms. Crouch down and lick the hands which feed you. May your chains sit lightly upon you, and may posterity forget that you were our countrymen.

“Courage, then, my countrymen, our contest is not only whether we ourselves shall be free, but whether there shall be left to mankind an asylum on earth for civil and religious liberty.

Dismissing, therefore, the justice of our cause, as incontestable, the only question is, What is best for us to pursue in our present circumstances?”

RCV| 6.7.10 @ 3:55PM

Another from good Sam Adams:
"It is not unfrequent to hear men declaim loudly upon liberty, who, if we may judge by the whole tenor of their actions, mean nothing else by it but their own liberty, - to oppress without control or the restraint of laws all who are poorer or weaker than themselves. "

streetfighter| 6.26.10 @ 1:49PM

Totally agree! This is Pelosi,Reid, and Barky to a Tee!

John3| 6.7.10 @ 7:18PM

Those who sow evil will reap evil on themselves. Those who sow evil cannot live lives of virtue; their vices will overtake them sooner or later. Deceit, lies and laziness: these will take their toll.