If the facts don't fit the theory, change the facts.
Albert Einstein
Give 'Em Hell, Eric!
House Minority Whip Eric Cantor (R-VA) gave a brief press conference today, noting there had been a recent gun shot at his Richmond home office (in the early hours of Tuesday morning, when the office was unoccupied: the bullet struck one of the Cantor office windows but did not penetrate the blinds) and that there have been other threats directed at him (because of his Jewish heritage), which he has not made public for fear of fanning the flames (e.g., copycat crimes) and possibly impeding FBI investigations; in particular, he lashed out at how certain Democrats were dishonorably attempting to politically exploit the recent reported threats, their implying, if not directly asserting that Republican rhetoric on the Democratic Party Health Care Bill had instigated purported threats against some pro-life/centrist Democrats whose late-deciding votes put the bill over the top. I made a related set of remarks in yesterday's post, pointing out that progressive harassment and threats against the Stupak household before he decided to support the bill Sunday had gotten little airplay in the mainstream media (I don't recall Speaker Pelosi earlier calling for progressives to cease and desist, or Minority Leader John Boehner blaming House Democratic leaders for inciting threats or violence against members opposing or leaning against the bill.) Eric Cantor was spot on: let the FBI do their jobs, and stop using threats against members as a political weapon.
The Reconciliation Bill Passes
Given the corrupt Senate health care bill has been signed into law, the reconciliation package has become almost a sideshow; it passed with Senate with minor procedural changes 56-43 (one ill Republican not voting, 3 Democrats, Nelson (NE) and the Arkansas senators voting against). The myth of bipartisanship was amply made apparent, with Republican amendments routinely tabled (indirectly voted down); the Senate parliamentarian sustained two GOP points of order, thus requiring a follow-up vote by the House of the modified bill, which passed this evening 220-207.
Some of odious corrupt deals were removed in the reconciled bill, e.g., the Cornhusker Kickback, while others, like the Louisiana Purchase, supported by Obama, remained. (Obama's justification, that Louisiana deserved its fix in the current bill because of Hurricane Katrina 5 years ago and Hawaii because of past earthquake activity, is unpersuasive.) I was more interested in the first point of order the parliamentarian rejected, which has to do with Cadillac health taxes: it is expected that companies and unions will reconfigure compensation avoid the tax, essentially shifting money from benefits to pay, which would increase payroll taxes for affected workers. The House (for obvious union reasons) wanted to push back (until 2018) the Cadillac tax. This delay would likely have an adverse effect on social security revenues. I agree with the GOP position on merit. I haven't seen a discussion of the parliamentarian's decision reasoning; for example, it might reflect modeling assumptions of social security collections, materiality of the amounts in question, or uncertainty of Cadillac tax effects on compensation. The GOP has run on equal protection tax benefit for health insurance, and the Cadillac tax is a mechanism to address an existing tax loophole in compensation.
Ann Coulter and the Canadian Lecture Kerfuffle
The University of Ottawa recently canceled a lecture by acerbic American media conservative columnist and author Ann Coulter, as hundreds of progressive students protested, in part emboldened by a university official whom warned Ms. Coulter that her provocative opinions (particularly involving Muslims) could run afoul of Canada's hate speech crimes. I listened to a recent Megyn Kelly interview with Canadian columnist Susan G. Cole. Ms. Cole notes that there is no comparable First Amendment rights in Canada (and refers to us whom believe in it as "absolutists"). She furthermore defends the decision to cancel the invitation (in response to student protests on the night of the speech), arguing there were other places for Ms. Coulter to speak (e.g., private lecture halls) vs. state-supported institutions.
First of all, I categorically reject Cole's mischaracterization of Ann Coulter's views as "hate crimes". It is true that Ann Coulter is an acquired taste, and her biting sarcasm and strident views are provocative. (I myself strongly disagree with her adverse views on independent/centrist Republicans and immigration reform.) In effect, Cole is assuming the role of a de facto censor, where opinions counter to those to her and other progressives are arbitrarily classified as "hate crimes". Second, perhaps this is because I've had an academic career, but we have a concept of "academic freedom". At the core of academic freedom is the right to teach, research, and express oneself independently of vested interests. In my view, if there is one place where Ann Coulter can and should be addressing her conservative ideas, it's in a university where we should compete in the free market of ideas.
This incident reflects poorly on Canada and Canadian values. It validates the wise decisions of my French-Canadian ancestors on both sides of the family, whom immigrated to New England in the latter half of the nineteenth century.
Social Security and Medicare Funding:
A Rude Awakening for the Dem Crown Jewels of Entitlements
Steven Gass, chief actuary of social security, says this year we will be running in the red, years earlier than projected, meaning that the trust fund will start to cash in some of the $2.5T reserve to make up the difference between payroll tax inflows and beneficiary payments. This is largely driven by the fragile economy (including high official unemployment of 9.7%) and certain older workers, unable to find work and eligible for at least early retirement, deciding to retire early. We have unfunded liabilities of about $5T for social security and $38T for Medicare. Where exactly is the federal government going to find the billions it needs to redeem the Treasury notes from the trust fund? Can you say PUBLIC DEBT (or PRINT MONEY)?
Oh, as others wax enthusiastic over Obama's "big win" (i.e., Pyrrhic victory) on health care "reform", as he for a solid year talked about the clear need to shrink the uninsured as his key top priority, where were social security and Medicare (other than robbing Peter to pay Paul)? Since when are over $40T in unfunded existing entitlement mandates a lower priority than a $1T health care bill?
Political Cartoon
Dana Summers shows "Average Joe" citizen going to his doctor. Fortunately, he still has his private-sector health care plan. I suspect after the mid-term elections some FORMER Democratic legislators will need to visit their physicians to dislodge the Democratic Party Health Care Bill shoved up a different orifice. (I wonder how many physicians will accept THEIR health care plan...)
Musical Interlude: Letter Songs
Joe Cocker, "The Letter"
Peter Frampton, "Signed, Sealed, Delivered"
The Beatles, "Please, Mr. Postman"
Bay City Rollers, "Rock 'N Roll Love Letter"
