Freedom Line Blog

Charles Krauthammer – White House Tactics Go Too Far
Senator Judd Gregg – U.S. Maxes Out On Credit
Politico – Reid Leaning Toward Public Option
Huffington Post – Snowe Warns Reid on Public Option
Breitbart – Video Released of Philadelphia ACORN Visit

Politico – NY-23 Race First Test of Tea Party Power
Chris Cillizza – Palin Endorses Hoffman
Political Wire – Support for Public Option Grows
Washington Post – FCC Taking Steps Toward Web Regulation

Federal Debt: $11.956 trillion

A new poll released by the Pew Research Center for the People and the Press found that Americans are becoming less enthusiastic about capping greenhouse gas emissions.  According to the survey, only 35% say global warming is a very serious problem.

Senator James Inhofe (R-OK) commented, “Perhaps the most interesting finding in this poll, aside from the precipitous drop in the number of Independents who believe global warming is a problem, is that the more Americans learn about cap-and-trade, the more they oppose cap-and-trade.”

Surprisingly, 55% of respondents said that they have heard “nothing at all” about cap-and-trade (legislation that would impose new energy taxes) proposals being debated in Congress.

For more info see here and here.

Call Congress at 202-224-3121 and urge your representatives to oppose new energy taxes.

Despite claims from some on the left, including the White House, that health care reform will lower visits to the ER, new statistics from Massachusetts prove that individual mandates could actually increase ER visits.

A survey of Massachusetts emergency physicians found that 42% said emergency care had “somewhat increased,” while 22% of respondents said ER care had “significantly increased.”

The main platform of health care reform in Massachusetts is an individual health care mandate for virtually all residents.  (Residents who fail to obtain coverage can face fines of up to $912.)  Dr. Angela Gardner, President of the American College of Emergency Physicians, noted, “The idea that emergency departments are filled with people who don’t need to be there is simply not true.”

Thus, despite increased access to care in Massachusetts, ER’s across the commonwealth are still inundated with patients.  This finding isn’t too surprising.  Sure enough, people will actually go out of their way to save their lives, even if government tries to get in the way.

George Will – Obama’s Senior Moment
RedState – Remember the TARP Money? It’s Gone
National Review Online – Hope and Change in New Jersey
Dallas Morning News – Net Neutrality Draft to be Unveiled Today

WSJ Editorial – The Public Option Comeback
Political Wire – Neck-and-Neck in New Jersey
WSJ – Rep. Grayson Explains
News Journal – New Social Security Payments a Burden

Federal Debt: $11.964 trillion

HT: Breitbart and James O’Keefe

Proponents of ObamaCare have couched their language in terms familiar to conservatives and libertarians: choice, option and freedom.  We’ve been told that a ‘Public Option’ will be available to compete with private health care companies.  White House officials want Americans to forget that more than 88 million patients could lose their private health care and be forced into the government option.

Peering into Harry Reid’s newest health care incarnation, which you can read here (with our commentary here), the new Senate health care bill is all about force, not choice.  In the first 100 pages alone, there are dozens of examples of “requirements” on doctors, patients, states and the federal government.

Here is a brief snippet of what to expect.  Of course, this represents just over 6% of the new mandates and regulations contained in the 1,502 page bill.  Unfortunately, most of the language below is completely unintelligible.

1) Requiring that all new health benefits plans offered to individuals and employees in the individual and small group markets be qualified health benefits plans.

2) SEC. 2201. GENERAL REQUIREMENTS: New plans must be qualified health benefits plans. Each State shall provide that each health benefits plan which is offered in the individual or small group market within the State shall be a qualified health benefits plan.

3) An offeror of a plan shall not be treated as meeting the requirements of this subsection unless the plan also accepts, renews, or continues in force coverage of an individual who is eligible for enrollment in the plan by reason of their relationship to the named insured under the plan.

4) Each offeror of a health benefits plan shall establish annual and special enrollment periods meeting the requirements of section 2236(d)(2).

5) Each State shall establish 1 or more rating areas within that State for purposes of applying the requirements of this title.

6) The contribution amount for any plan year may be based on the percentage of revenue of each offeror or on a specified amount per enrollee and may be required to be paid in advance or periodically throughout the plan year.

7) An employment based plan meets the requirements of this paragraph if the plan—provides benefits appropriate for individuals between the ages described in subsection (a)(2)(C) and that are certified as so appropriate by the Secretary; implements programs and procedures to generate cost-savings with respect to participants with chronic and high-cost conditions; and provides documentation of the actual cost of medical claims involved and for which reimbursement is sought under this section.

8 ) Each State shall phase in the application of the insurance reform requirements under subpart 1 to grandfathered health benefits plans offered in the small group market within the State.

9) SPECIAL RULE FOR RATING REQUIREMENTS — A State law shall not be treated as offering more protection to consumers than the protection offered by such requirements if the State law imposes ratios that are greater than the ratios specified in section 2204(b).

10) Each State shall — require each offeror of a qualified health benefits plans offered through an exchange — to provide an internal claims appeal process; to provide notice in clear language and in the enrollee’s primary language of available internal and external appeals processes and the availability of the ombudsman established under section 2229(a) to assist them with the appeals processes.

11) PLAN REQUIREMENTS — An offeror meets the requirements of this subsection with respect to a qualified health benefits plan if the plan offers a benefits package that is uniform in each State in which the plan is offered and meets the requirements set forth in paragraph (3) the offeror is licensed in each State; the offeror meets all requirements of this title with respect to a qualified health benefits plan, including the requirement to offer the silver and gold levels of the plan in each exchange in the State for the market in which the plan is offered; and the offeror determines the premiums for the plan in any State on the basis of the ratings rules in effect in that State for the ratings areas in which it is offered.

12) The State provides that the amount of the monthly premium an eligible individual is required to pay for coverage under the standard health plan for the individual and the individual’s dependents.

13) The amount of the monthly premium an individual is required to pay under either the standard health plan or the applicable second lowest cost silver plan shall be determined after reduction for any premium credits and premium subsidies allowable with respect to either plan.

14) The Secretary shall each year conduct a review of each State program to ensure compliance with the requirements of this section.

15) INFORMATION REQUIRED TO BE PROVIDED BY APPLICANTS: An applicant for enrollment in a qualified health benefits plan offered through an exchange shall provide the information required by any of the following paragraphs that is applicable to an enrollee.

Glenn Beck – Obama Czar Says ‘Free Market is Nonsense’
WSJ – Lawyers Called in ACORN Secret-Video Case
Washington Post – Can Doug Hoffman Win?
SurveyUSA – Blowout in VA Gov. Race
WSJ Editorial – The Doctor Fix is In
New York Times – Democrats Hit Snag with Doctor Payment Bill
PC Magazine – Interest Groups Battle over Net Neutrality

Federal Debt: $11.960 trillion

By now, we’ve all heard the news.  Rush Limbaugh was part of an investment group bidding to obtain ownership of the St. Louis Rams.  Judging by the Rams’ current 0-6 record and their 1-15 mark last year, a change in ownership to just about anyone will help the struggling franchise.  It’s difficult to do worse than winless.

Instead, the NFL and the Mainstream Media demonized Limbaugh with charges of racism and scuttled his ownership bid.  NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell even stated, “I’ve said many times before, we’re all held to a higher standard here and I think divisive comments are not what the NFL is all about.”

Of course, judging by the NFL’s own player rap sheet, one would be hard-pressed to find that “higher standard” in player conduct.  In 2009 alone, there have been dozens of players arrested and convicted on charges that ranged from DUI murder to running a drug ring across state lines.

Here’s the Dirty Dozen: The NFL’s “Higher Standard”

1. Minnesota Vikings cornerback Cedric Griffin pleaded guilty to drunk driving.
2. Denver Broncos rookie tight end Richard Quinn was arrested on harassment and domestic violence charges.
3. San Diego Chargers star linebacker Shawne Merriman was arrested and accused of choking and restraining reality TV star Tila Tequila.
4. Baltimore Ravens rookie linebacker Tony Fein was arrested and charged with assaulting a police officer at a restaurant.
5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers cornerback Aqib Talib was arrested and charged with battery and resisting arrest.
6. A federal judge sentenced former NFL player Travis Henry to three years in prison for financing a drug ring.
7. Cleveland Browns Receiver Donte Stallworth gets 30 days in jail for a DUI fatality.
8. Former San Diego Chargers QB Ryan Leaf wanted on drug charges.
9. Two New Orleans Saints players were charged with obscenity, disturbing the peace and lewd conduct for allegedly being drunk, urinating in public and exposing themselves.
10. Oakland Raiders tackle Cornell Green was arrested and charged with aggravated battery with a deadly weapon in Tampa, FL, after beating the mother of his two children with an aluminum mop handle.
11. Buffalo Bills running back Marshawn Lynch was charged with 3 gun-related crimes.
12. Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Jonathan Dekker was arrested and charged with obstruction of justice.

For more info visit NFL Crimes NewsBlog.  Unfortunately, there is plenty of content to populate the site.

Townhall – Congress Keeps Gold-Plated Health Care … For Themselves
Washington Post – A Premature Celebration for the GOP?
WVEC.Com – McDonnell has Edge over Deeds
The Hill – Reid Offers Doctors a Deal

Politico – Finance Committee Health Bill is Filed
NY Times – Merging the Senate Bills
WSJ Editorial – Health Costs and History
BBC News – Big Names Support Net Neutrality

Federal Debt: $11.929 trillion

Larry Summers, Director of President Obama’s National Economic Council, has been a loyal ally to the administration and proponent of current health care reform proposals floating around Congress.

Summers has backed ObamaCare despite the many troubling provisions contained in House and Senate legislation, namely the individual health care mandate and the government-run public option.

Apparently, the economic views of Dr. Summers have changed in the current partisan environment.  When he was an academic and cared more about economic externalities than political favoritism, he penned this paper critiquing individual mandates and government-run plans.

Here is an excerpt:

Note that a payroll tax on employers directed at financing health insurance benefits publicly would have the same employment displacement effects [translation: people lose their jobs] as a mandated health insurance program….  If policymakers fail to recognize the costs of mandated benefits because they do not appear in the government budget, then mandated benefit programs could lead to excessive spending on social programs.  There is no sense in which benefits become “free” just because the government mandates that employers offer them to workers.  As with value-added taxes, it can plausibly be argued that mandated benefits fuel the growth of government.”

The Wall Street Journal is reporting that the push for so-called “net neutrality” is heating up in corporate boardrooms, as Internet giants Facebook, Twitter, Digg and Amazon penned a letter to FCC (Federal Communications Commission) Chairman Julius Genachowki this week in support of his plan for stifling government regulation of private high-speed wireline and wireless networks.

The FCC is scheduled to release details of its net neutrality rules on Thursday.  However, the period for public comment is still open.  Or, you can call the Congressional switchboard (202-224-3121) to air your views against government regulation of the Internet with your elected officials.

The Center for Individual Freedom opposes so-called “net neutrality” because it would introduce stifling government regulations onto what is now a free and open Internet.  More here and here.

Political Wire – Three Threats for Democrats
WSJ Editorial – ObamaCare’s Tax on Work
The Hill – Sen. Conrad Pushes Co-Ops
Politico – White House to Neuter Chamber
National Review Online – Power of the Plaintiff’s Bar
Washington Post – Internet Giants Push for Net Neutrality
NY Times – Energy Firms Split on Climate Bill

Federal Debt: $11.924 trillion

CFIF’s Renee Giachino discusses transparency, or the lack thereof, in the nation’s capital and what you can do to hold our political leaders accountable.  Click here for more information about CFIF.  Click here for more videos from CFIF.

Below is the latest from Pulitzer Prize-winning cartoonist Michael Ramirez.

View more of Ramirez’s cartoons on CFIF’s website.

The individual health care mandate contained in the so-called Baucus Bill will hit low-income taxpayers, according to the Congressional Budget Office (CBO).

The CBO recently released a chart to the public which illustrated that those making $30,000 to $40,000 (100% to 200% of the federal poverty level) would pay over $200 million in fines for failing to obtain government-approved health care.  This $200 million projection represents 26% of all fines to be paid to the federal government.

In contrast, individuals making close to $100,000 would pay around $100 million in fines, or only about 9% of all fines.

Click here for the chart.

Politico – White House Created Corporate-Backed Health Care Pitch
Washington Post – The Perils of Governing
Political Wire – New Jersey Gov. Race a Toss Up
WSJ Editorial – Barney Frank, Predatory Lender

PC World – Companies, Lawmakers Tell FCC to Dump Net Neutrality
The Hill – Rep. Mike Pence for President?
NY Times – ACORN and Democrats
National Review Online – Laws of the Universe vs. ObamaCare

Federal Debt: $11.911 trillion

Last week, two Americans were awarded the Nobel Prize for Economics.  Thanks to our friend Paul Krugman, it was recently revealed that one of the winners, Elinor Ostrom, received a massive amount of federal funds during her career, in addition to her $167,018 salary at Indiana University.

The National Science Foundation (NSF), an organization tasked with promoting the progress of science, has given over $16.7 million in inflation-adjusted grants to Professor Ostrom.  This figure includes a hefty $9.8 million (inflation-adjusted) grant in 1971, when Professor Ostrom was just six years removed from her Ph.D.

Obviously, given her recognition and achievements in the fields of political science and economics, she put this $16.7 million to good use, but with that much money one could only imagine what else could have been achieved.

With lobbying heavyweights like the National Education Association and the American Federation of Teachers, there are plenty of voices lobbying for more education funding.  Everyone is trying to get a piece of the $3.6 trillion federal pie, and these groups are effective at ensuring more federal dollars go toward education funding.

Senator Tom Coburn has seized on NSF funding and has recommended the elimination of political science grants.  With over $147.7 billion in endowment wealth for the top ten Universities alone, there is plenty of higher education money available.  If Harvard dedicated just 1% of its endowment to research funding, it could provide life-time grants to 22  “Elinor Ostrom’s” every year (over $365 million in total).

Senator Coburn often likes to make the point that you don’t practice charity through the federal government.  You practice politics and favoritism.  With so much private wealth already accumulated in the nation’s universities and other foundations dedicated to promoting education, has the market really failed to invest in education?  If universities are as esteemed as they are in this country, couldn’t they afford a small investment in research grants?

WSJ – Republicans Attack Deficit
Washington Post – Harry Reid and Dynastic Politics
The Hill – Limbaugh v. Rep. Jackson Lee
Politico – No Snowementum: Centrists Not Sold on Health Care
The Hill – Reid Faces Tough Battle in Nevada

National Review Online – Dow Hits 10,000 as Storm Gathers
WSJ Editorial – Dangers of a Value-Added Tax
Washington Times – Tort Reform Savings
Washington Times Commentary – Another Metro Approach

Federal Debt: $11.924 trillion

No surprise here.  According to CBO chief Doug Elmendorf, “The net effect of that [climate change legislation] we think would likely be some decline in employment….  The fact that jobs turn up somewhere else for some people does not mean there aren’t substantial costs borne by people, communities, firms and affected industries.”

To think that drastically increasing the cost of carbon without any impact to labor in the energy sector is absurd.  Thankfully, the CBO agrees and is finally cautioning Congress against cap-and-trade proposals.  Click here for the full article.