Which, incidentally, is about $40 billion over the target considered acceptable by Barack Obama himself. From last October and a few versions ago:
Pelosi said Democratic leaders would not bring forward a bill that did not meet Obama’s goal of $900 billion and has repeatedly said the final House bill will include a strong government-run health insurance option.
So what do Congressional Democrats do now that they’ve brought forth legislation that costs $940 billion, and at that only because of accounting tricks and several years of higher taxes before benefits kick in? They’re going to claim it will reduce the deficit by $130 billion over a decade. Which A) Is about as likely as me banging Jessica Alba; and B) less than a monthly deficit run up by the Obama Administration. Monthly.
By the way, the legislation this is supposedly accounting for still has yet to be posted. We still haven’t seen the bill or what it contains. House Democrats have been committing to vote for government-run health care legislation most of them haven’t even seen, much less legislation for which the public has been able to provide specific input.
And this latest $940 billion figure only came after a night of accounting moves. You’ll recall that the CBO numbers were supposed to be posted last night but Democrats found the original level too high politically and so moved some figures around. Sleezy? Yes. Expected? Completely.
18. March 2010 at 10:46 am
I really think you’re selling yourself short on your chances with Jessica Alba.
On a serious note, has the Democratic leadership actually released the whole CBO report, or just the parts that help them?
18. March 2010 at 12:08 pm
“I really think you’re selling yourself short on your chances with Jessica Alba.”
I’ve been working on my whole self-image recently. I’m convinced my superior blog-fu skills would land me Megan Fox, but Alba still eludes me at least psychologically.
18. March 2010 at 12:12 pm
I suppose I should answer the serious question too, as I brag about my blog-fu skills.
Democrats only released the figures of $940 billion in cost and $130 billion in deficit reduction.
The CBO finally released the rest of the report, which comes with more caveats than a variable interest rate mortgage from your local loan shark.
The figures are only preliminary, don’t include the full reconciliation language, and only account for six years of benefits with four years of benefitless taxes first.
19. March 2010 at 10:18 am
A blogger who responds to questions. Thanks; it’s much appreciated.
Yes, but with the Marilyn Monroe tattoo, would you really want to hook up with Megan Fox? I like good body art as much as the next person, but that tattoo is just creepy.
On the CBO numbers, I just can’t believe that the Democrats are actually relying on those numbers. Well, actually, I can, but it saddens me to know end.
19. March 2010 at 10:19 am
“no end,” not “know end.” My bad.