The Republicans' Nightmare is Coming True

Yes, after screaming for transparency, the GOP is now getting some right between the eyes as the American people are watching--on national television--the President play Bus Driver with GOP paladins and take them to school.

First to cut up on the Bus was Tennessee Senator Lamar Alexander, who mischaracterized the plan as costing the average taxpayer more money in premiums. The President said that was 'factually inaccurate,' hoping like hell Alexander would rise to the bait. Alexander didn't disappoint, claiming that if the president was going to contradict him, he should have a chance to respond. Alexanderwent on to say that the Congressional Budget Office said the health care reform currently envisioned by the Senate would mean higher premiums.

Obama calmly corrected Alexander, saying what the CBO report actually SAID was that when policies became cheaper under health care reform, people would go out and buy BETTER insurance than what they had before. THAT is what would cost them more money. Not the reform itself.

Although he didn't adopt a patronizing tone, Obama made Alexander look like an ignorant kid who didn't know what he was talking about.

Next up was Wyoming Senator Dr. John Barrasso, a medical man who promoted health savings accounts. Obama asked him if he'd be happy if all members of congress just has catastrophic health care coverage. Barasso replied that he would because then the legislative branch would have more "skin in the game." They could be putting their money into health savings accounts and pay for their health care out of that.

Then Obama did what I believe is called on the street, 'knocked him the fuck out.' He asked, "Would you feel the same way if you were making $40,000. Or if that was your income. Because that's the reality for a lot of folks." Barasso jerked in his chair as if he'd been shot. Members of Congress are in the top income bracket and have a lot of disposable income to put into health savings accounts, Obama observed. They make about $176,000 a year. People who make 40 grand a year don't have a lot of disposable income and the uninsured they are talking about sure don't.

Rep. Eric Cantor of Virginia, the Republican whip and frequent Obama critic was next, claiming that the insurance people would get under the plan was too expensive. Obama responded that expense was not the only criterion. For example, the federal government could take action right now that could make groceries even cheaper than they were now if they would just cut out things like meat inspections.

Cantor's jaw dropped. He had absolutely nothing to say in response; just sat there with his mouth open and his brain madly going over GOP talking points instead of arguments, lookinf futilely for something to say.

Over on Capitol Hill the Republicans didn't get any relief. GOP Cocksucker #341 (REP. JOHN BOEHNER) and Michigan representative David Camp were speechless when House Speaker Nancy Pelosi took both of them on for misstatements they made about the House health care bill. First, Pelosi corrected Boehner. Boehner had been trying to stir up anti-abortionists about the bill, claiming it would supply federal funding for abortions. Pelosi said the following: "The law of the land is there is no public funding of abortion, and there is no public funding of abortion in these bills and I don't want our listeners or viewers to get the wrong impression."

After pointing out that Boehner was raising much ado about nothing, she turned to Camp and metaphorically, told him to clean up his room. Camp had been screaming to his constituents that the bill passed by the House and the bill in the Senate cut Medicare benefits to seniors. Pelosi dressed him down thusly: "You said that the Medicare cuts in this bill cut benefits for seniors," Pelosi said. "They do not. They do not."

What they DO do is cut overpayments to Medicare Advantage and redirect them to federal subsidies. That's it.

What really pissed off the GOP was that the American people got to see who wanted to do something about health care costs and who didn't.

With thanks to TPM Muckraker, C-SPAN and the blog hummingbirdminds.com