Gerry Connolly To Block Health Care Reform?

From the  Wall Street Journal:

"I'm not persuaded any sort of tax increase is needed," said Rep. Gerald Connolly, a first-term Democrat from Virginia. He suggests Democrats should focus more on finding budget savings. "The jury is still out on what, if anything, we have to do for revenue enhancement."

First of all, the bill being discussed has over $500 billion dollars in cost savings already included.

Second- the fastest way to destroy a public health care plan would be additional "cost savings" out of the program that cut back on the plan itself- making it less attractive for Americans to enroll in.

Third- the "tax increase" is actually a roll back of the Bush tax cuts for the rich- returning to Clinton era levels of taxation on the wealthiest Americans- not a "tax increase". 

I've spoken to a few leaders in the health care debate who are furious about this quote- we have been working on fixing this problem for almost two decades, and voters did not elect Gerry Connolly to Congress to derail health care reform or the public option.  Especially not by using Republican talking points about a "tax increase" that is really only an adjustment to the pre-Bush era.

Comments

[John]

Wearing an American flag shirt, or tie (election night November 2008) does not a democrat make. Enjoy your one term in Congress Boss Connolly.

[Salem Republicans]

Are you saying that raising the top tax rate is not a "tax increase" because it's back to an old level? Does that mean that the top tax rate could be raised into the 90% range, as it was in the 40s and you wouldn't call that a "tax increase?" At what point does it become a "tax increase?" Just curious.

[Not Larry Sabato]

Great question. The Bush tax cuts were passed as temporary- and with a sunset clause. So allowing them to expire, or changing the date they expire is not a tax increase- it is decreasing the temporary amount of time that we could afford tax relief. Going above that would be a tax increase even though those levels existed previously, because they were lowered/repealed permanently unlike the Bush tax cuts.

[Salem Republicans]

I appreciate the honest answer. Here's my problem with the argument. It's convenient for those who support the repeal of the "Bush tax cuts" to argue that it's just a return to way it was under Clinton. The problem is that the top tax rate during the Clinton years was the highest it has been since the mid 1980s (although admittedly lower than before).

Having said all of that, the real issue (at least to me) isn't how high the highest bracket is. It is who is included in the highest bracket. That's where the real impact is felt. If you return to the Clinton levels, but move more people into the hightest tax bracket, it's a huge tax increase. If you return to those levels but put less people in, you could actually make it a tax cut. Frankly, I don't know the technicalities of this particular "tax increase" well enough to pass judgment. I was just intrigued by your logic.

[Not Timothy Geithner]

Salem Republican,

Out of curiosity, how did we ever manage to beat the Nazis and Japanese, put a man on the moon, electrify rural America, and build the Interstate Highway systems with such high taxes? It just seems that they would be crippling on the economy, but damn stuff seemed to work.

[kelley in virginia]

good for cong. connolly. i don't want medical care like the Canadians have. or the VA. or the Native Americans on their reservations.

and i don't want to be forced to buy health ins. for employees or charged because i do not. if i am forced to do so, i could cut employees or go out of business.

unemployment goes up. small business dies. small business tax revenue stream ends.

and meanwhile, ending the Bush tax cuts alone is simply not enough money to pay for all the illegal aliens to have free health care. there will be a tax increase coming sometime.

but the illegal aliens will be happy to have free health care & will vote Dem if granted amnesty.

see, it all works out for the Dems. unless you are a Dem & fall ill. then you will be screwed like the rest of America.

[change]

Not tim,
We also did not have cradle to grave welfare or affirmative action; social security was solvent, abortion was illegal and the population was increasing. (I only note this because you seem to hearken lovingly to the good old days)
Further, people making 39k plus were paying 40% taxes.
If you believe that 90% taxes is a good thing for the “rich” to pony up, I am sure you would also believe that 40% is not unfair for virtually everyone else to chip in.
Unless, of course, they are part of this administration in which case not paying anything is the way to get ahead.

[Salem Republicans]

NTG - Not sure you even read what I posted. I made no comment on the appropriate levels of taxation or the impact various tax levels have on the economy, growth, etc. That is another discussion for another day. I simply asked Ben a logic question so that I could better understand his point.

I'm not going to get into a full fledged tax debate with you other than to refer to my previous statement that "brackets," while important, are less important to me than who is placed in the various brackets. If and when we get into taxes on our blog, you're welcome to join in the discussion.

[Not Larry Sabato]

Salem, I think we would agree a lot in any tax discussion. I support higher taxes- but mainly because I am strong believer in "pay as you go" and not taking on so much debt.

[change]

I am not sure why we need more taxes since Obama has said the stimulus is working "as planned". shouldn't that be bringing in tons of money and new jobs "as planned"?

If this is the plan that is working I would hate to see what would be happening if it wasn't so successful.

Can anybody say "liar"?

... and still some believe...

I just wonder if all those without jobs still believe in "change"

[Calvin Jones and the 13th Apostle]

Kelley in Virginia:
What are you talking about? Small businesses are already dying out(have you noticed the UE rate lately?). The point of health care reform is that it isn't based on employment. Nowhere else is it specifically based on that. It's also part of the reason why so many are uninsured. Lastly, what kind of health care do you want? Because you sure don't seem to like any.

[Calvin Jones and the 13th Apostle]

change:
Taxes are going to have to go up eventually to pay off the debt that Bush and his wars left us.

Salem Republicans:
Didn't Obama campaign on raising taxes for those who make over $250,000 a year combined?

[Spock]

Connolly must be between a rock and a hard place.

He has to clean up after 2 Republicans, Bush and Davis.

He also has to face a vicious anti-tax political base in Fairfax.

I dig his shirt, qool!

[kelley in virginia]

ok, calvin: i have very good health insurance at the moment. my husband earns it.

now, after the "reform" by the dems, he could be taxed for it as if it were gross income. this is not fair to him, a wage earner, to be taxed for his health benefits when someone uninsured will then be able to have free healthcare.

uh huh.

and calvin, other than ben, who really wants to pay more taxes? and in this case, they will receive much less value. reference canada, UK.

[Spock]

"ok, calvin: i have very good health insurance at the moment. my husband earns it."

...hey, trophy wife, healthcare is a right not a privilege for just you and your tennis club ...

[Pete in Williamsburg]

I support a public option because it is a policy that eliminates excuses. You can't read? No excuse for that since we have public education. You didn't vote? No excuse for that since voting is open to all. You don't have health care? No excuse for that since a public option is available.

Meanwhile, just as the entire economy benefits from a standard level of education, the economy will benefit from a standard level of health care.

My question for those who oppose a public option is this: You say you don't want to pay for health care for the uninsured. Do you think you're not paying for them right now? If an uninsured person goes to the ER tonight, the hospital will shift those costs to those of us who do pay.

Health care will be provided to those who need it. We're doing it already. Let's do it the right way.

Other than that, it's that time of year again when opponents will talk about health care co-ops... just as they do each year since 1993.

[change]

Ah, spok,

Once again you prove your ignorance. I thought you might have hidden in your spider hole for a bit longer but you are back and proving yourself less and less intelligent and more and more bigoted. I see you have moved from being merely a racist to a sexist also.

Fyi, healthcare is not a right ( I would suggest you check the constitution).

And petie,
Regarding your “no excuse” logic, within our great public education system most major cities have an illiteracy rate of over 40%, voter turnout in ’08 was slightly over 50%. (and the "excuse" is usually that someone needs more money)

People without healthcare is less than 20% of which ¼ is by choice and ½ are illegals.
(seems those nasty employers are doing pretty well by their employees)

You really should get some facts and understand the issue before you embarrass yourself by making such ridiculous posts. Stop reading KOS and start reading books (those things with a cover on the front and back and facts in the middle).

Also, remember that just because Obambi’s teleprompter says something does not make it true. Has he told any truth since he has been in office?
Troops out of iraq by February, most transparent administration, unemployment below 8%, stimulus will fix everything, taking over the banks will fix everything, taking over the auto industry will fix everything, I have stopped smoking, nice ass on that chick in Italy (ok that was true)

I laugh at your continued ignorance and look forward to your enlightenment.

[Spock]

Wow, "Change", new batch of meth in hills there?

Or has the toxins of Harley fumes and tattoo ink finally taken it's toll?

[Pete in Williamsburg]

Change Me,

You do realize that those stats are either neutral or helpful to my point. You have such a need to let out your emotions. You must learn to master your rage or rage will become... oh, phone call. Sorry, gotta take this. I'll have to leave you in suspense.

[kelley in virginia]

spock, notice you make fun of someone earning their health care.

so as soon as pelosi rams thru socialized medicine, i guess my husband will have to earn his own family's healthcare & yours, right? plus pay more taxes.

let the illegals get their own insurance. many don't have the burden of income taxes or even some of the payroll taxes.

[Tom Paine]

Why doesn't Ben just get
Sahah Palin to write an editorial response on this, istead of letting all the other right wing idiots muck the story up with their word salad screeds?

[RicJohn]

If we had elected LESLIE BYRNE instead, this wouldn't be a problem...Connolly is more concerned about campaign donors than health care solutions.

[debt advice]

thanks for posting this on this old dude

[Spock]

KKKelly in VA is the resident "Marie AnTWITnette".

She represents the typical shallow trophy wife who takes everything she needs from her husband, then spits on the poor in need.

Healthcare is a right, food is a right, shelter is a right, education is a right.

But to Mizzuz KKKelly and her ilk, if the poor have all they need they can't be turned into slaves and take slave wages for the big business interest she parrots for.

KKKelly's main concern is herself and trying to position herself as a person of privilege to give herself a false sense of being superior somehow.

She fails, we can all see it.

But does she know how stupid she looks?

[James Young]

Only if he's smarter than I think he is.

[kelley in virginia]

spock: do you know a woman with breast cancer? under the Obama plan, she may have to wait months for treatment. and she may not have the best treatment available.

think of your mother in that position.

then choose socialized medicine.

[Spock]

Kelly- in Europe, cuba and Venezuela they have better healthcare than we do, and it's all socialized.

Basing arguments on a few cases in the rural areas of Canada is not only inaccurate, but an uneducated understanding of universal healthcare.

How would you like your mother to be in a situation of having breast cancer and no healthcare?

You don't care, do you?

You would rather see the poor die anyway, and preferably people of color and immigrants.

[kelley in virginia]

spock, where do you get your info that venezuela has better healthcare? and Europe? have you read the cancer survival rates for those places v. the US? i just read the colon cancer survival rates for these v. the US (& sorry, can't remember where), & the US far surpassed Europe & Canada. same with breast cancer.

[Tom Paine]

"But does she know how stupid she looks?"

No, but then she really doesn't care! She is only interested in keeping what she has and to hell with the unfortunate "have nots".

Let them eat bread!

[Spock]

Tom Paine- The one good positive thing about this economic crash is that it's hopefully going to knock the selfish capitalist pigs to the same level as the real people.

Who knows, maybe kkkelly will have to get a *gasp* job to support her tacky tennis club habits.

kkkelly- get a kkklue

The United States ranks 43rd in lowest infant mortality rate, down from 12th in 1960 and 21st in 1990. Singapore has the lowest rate with 2.3 deaths per 1000 live births, while the United States has a rate of 6.3 deaths per 1000 live births. Some of the other 42 nations that have a lower infant mortality rate than the US include Hong Kong, Slovenia, and Cuba. Source: CIA Factbook (2008)

Approximately 30,000 infants die in the United States each year. The infant mortality rate, which is the risk of death during the first year of life, is related to the underlying health of the mother, public health practices, socioeconomic conditions, and availability and use of appropriate health care for infants and pregnant women. Sources: CDC and National Center for Health Statistics

http://www.healthpaconline.net/health-care-statistics-in-the-united-states.htm

[Tom Paine]

Quote: "Tom Paine- The one good positive thing about this economic crash is that it's hopefully going to knock the selfish capitalist pigs to the same level as the real people."

Not so far it hasn't and Hank Paulson and his buddies on Wall Street have made a bundle so far on government loans. Who says there is no such thing as a free lunch?

[Pete in Williamsburg]

Tom Paine,

Yes and no. I agree that it's hard to take GOP teabagging seriously when no one cared about Paulson handing $700B of unmarked cash to the largest banks. However, the largest banks (those that survived) are doing well and have even begun repayments of the TARP. Retail level banks are still struggling but there was some actual good from the TARP so far.